Dear SMBE members,

We invite you to submit an abstract for the 2021 annual conference of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBEv2021) at http://smbe2021.org/.

SMBE 2021 is taking place online 4-8 July (3-7 July in the United States).

The deadline for abstract submission is Monday 3 May 2021, 23:59 (GMT). 

Note: Due to constraints imposed on SMBE because of the virtual format, we will require all accepted speakers (oral and poster) to submit their video files and posters to their symposium organisers before 28th May at the latest to be included in the conference.

SMBE 2021 will run across three geographical hubs. We hope in this way to make the conference as accessible as possible across our global community. All presentations will be pre-recorded and discussion rooms will be available for all participants to interact live online with speakers. There will also be designated poster space and live interactive poster sessions.

Registration for the conference is free for members of the society and will open 23 April. There are also several conference associated awards available for members – applications can be made during abstract submission.  SMBE membership is for 3 years and costs $10 for students and $30 for others. Membership can be applied for HERE. Please contact us via email (contact details below) if you would like to become a member but feel that this membership fee is prohibitive for you. 

Awards include: 

1. The SMBE Graduate Student Excellence Award honors the best presentation at the Graduate Student Excellence symposium, which provides a forum for young investigators to showcase their exemplary research at the annual meeting. Eligibility: Current graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who received their primary doctoral-level degree no earlier than one year prior to the start of the annual meeting of the society (minus any career disruption or delay). A candidate for the award must become a member of the Society at least a month before the first day of the annual meeting. Approximately eight winners will be selected every year to cover the broad spectrum of research covered by SMBE. You must also email your Curriculum Vitae to smbe@allenpress.com. ***The deadline for applications for this award is 30 April.***

2. The Undergraduate Mentorship Award provides support, advice and networking opportunities for undergraduate students (including Masters students under a 3+2 system) as they navigate their first international conference. Applicants for this award must be presenting their own work as a poster or talk at the conference. Applicants must email a short explanation (250 words) of why you want to attend this meeting, including a mention of whether you fall into a group traditionally underrepresented at SMBE (e.g. enrolling in university later in life, or being the first in your family to attend university). A short letter of support (250 words) should also be sent from your academic supervisor to smbe.contact@gmail.com confirming that you are undergraduate (or a Masters student under 3+2), and that the research to be presented is your own. ***The deadline for applications for this award is 26 April.***

3. Carer awards can be applied for during registration, or by email to smbe.contact@gmail.com if an earlier response is needed. Open to members with expenses for the care of children or dependent adults (including adult children with a disability or elderly relatives) during their attendance at the annual SMBE meeting. 

4. Internet Access Assistance Award for those who need financial assistance with internet access to attend the conference (relevant mainly for countries or areas with insufficient WiFi cover).

If interested in sponsorship of the meeting, for any queries over abstracts or registration, please direct all questions regarding SMBE 2021 to smbe@allenpress.com (please cc smbe.contact@gmail.com).

We look forward to welcoming you in soon on gather.town.