ISCB Collaborative Conferences Application

ISCB welcomes conference applications in the field of computational biology and bioinformatics to the Collaborative Conferences program. Organizers and co‐organizers must hold an advanced doctoral degree and should have experience organizing a scientific program, as organizers and co‐organizers are responsible for all scientific aspects of the conference. Organizers and co-organizers are also expected to support marketing, and fundraising.

ISCB offers several different application options for its topical, thematic, and regional conferences:

Affiliated – recognized by ISCB in the affiliated conference section of the ISCB Conference Calendar webpage; minimum participation requirements
Associated – recognized by ISCB co-sponsored section of the ISCB Conference Calendar webpage; organizers required to set registration pricing difference (member vs non-member is member rate plus +5 plus cost of ISCB membership) e.g. ISCB Professional Member $100, Nonmember Professional $240 ($100+$145+$5)
Collaborative – recognized by ISCB on the website home-page; organizers required to set registration pricing difference (member vs non-member is member rate plus +5 plus cost of ISCB membership) e.g. ISCB Professional Member $100, Nonmember Professional $240 ($100+$145+$5), sell memberships as part of register offerings, and assume full financial responsibility*
Supported/Official – co-organized conference with ISCB and shared financial responsibility; ISCB will provide site selection services, marketing support, sponsorship assistance, scientific programme management support, financial oversight, registration management, and logistics management or services mutually agreed upon

*Organizers have the option to use the ISCB registration system and other support services, fees apply.

APPLICATION

Applicants must complete the online application. Application will include but not limited to:

Conference Abstract describing the aims and goals of the conference to include topic areas covered
Organizers Name(s), institution(s) and email address(es)
Potential Program Committee Members (one per line)
Target audience
Distribution of Attendees (in percentage): Students, Academics, Industry
Previous conferences held, if any (name, years held and url)
How is this conference of direct interest to the ISCB member community
List of potential/confirmed invited speakers (including name and institution)
List of potential/confirmed sponsors (company/institute/government agency names)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION

ISCB is committed to sustaining diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the field of computational biology and bioinformatics. Our goal is to create and support a conference environment that is welcoming and safe for all. ISCB believes inclusion of diverse participants, including attendees and speakers, is critical to the scientific and educational integrity of conferences. Organizers are expected to design programs that reflect this commitment.

PROPOSAL DECISIONS

Proposal submitted for:

Affiliation consideration take approximately four (4) weeks for review to approval
Associated consideration take approximately four (4) weeks for review to approval
Collaborative consideration take approximately four (4) to six (6) months for review and approval
Supported/official consideration take approximately six (6) to nine (9) months but preferred proposal be submitted one (1) year in advance for budgeting purposes

ORGANIZER EXPECTATIONS

By applying to the ISCB Collaborative Conferences program, organizers understand, should their application be approved, that they are responsible to ensure the success of their conference, as well as the below requirements:

Affiliated:

ISCB logo with hyperlink to ISCB website on affiliated conference website.
A minimum 15% discount off conference registration fees for ISCB members.
A statement of encouragement for conference attendees to join ISCB in order to take advantage of the member discount, with a direct link to the ISCB membership page.

Associated:

ISCB logo with hyperlink to ISCB website on affiliated conference website.
Organizers required to set registration pricing difference (member vs non-member is member rate plus +5 plus cost of ISCB membership) e.g. ISCB Professional Member $100, Nonmember Professional $240 ($100+$135+$5)
A statement of encouragement for conference attendees to join ISCB in order to take advantage of the member discount, with a direct link to the ISCB membership page.

Collaborative:

ISCB logo with hyperlink to ISCB website on conference website.
Organizers required to set registration pricing difference (member vs non-member is member rate plus +5 plus cost of ISCB membership) e.g. ISCB Professional Member $100, Nonmember Professional $240 ($100+$135+$5).
Sale of ISCB membership as part of the registration with transfer of funds collected and participant information to ISCB at a time mutually agreed upon. Organizers will be given 15% rebate back for all memberships sold.
A statement of encouragement for conference attendees to join ISCB in order to take advantage of the member discount, with a direct link to the ISCB membership page.
Waive financial responsibility to ISCB

Supported/Official:

ISCB logo with hyperlink to ISCB website on conference website.
Registration pricing difference (member vs non-member is member rate plus +5 plus cost of ISCB membership) e.g. ISCB Professional Member $100, Nonmember Professional $240 ($100+$135+$5)*
Sale of ISCB membership as part of the registration
Mutual agreement to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will outline the responsibility, financial liability, services and expectations of the conference by both parties

ISCB COMMITMENTS

ISCB is committed to providing the following for each of the conference categories.