Call for 2026

The International Association of Bioethics (IAB) is now accepting “Expressions of Interest” from universities, bioethics institutions and bioethics organizations to host the 18th World Congress of Bioethics, to be held in 2026, preferably June. The Congress typically attracts between 800 and 1000 participants from around the world.

The IAB holds biennial international bioethics conferences in even numbered years for those working in bioethics and related fields to facilitate community building and networking among bioethicists from diverse regions, including discussion of global and cultural aspects of bioethics. To create a greener, more accessible conference, all hosts are required to support hybrid participation (in-person as well as remote participation) and to consider remote participants when scheduling (e.g., time zone selection).

Past Congresses were held in Basel, Switzerland (2022); Philadelphia, United States (online, 2020); Bangalore, India (2018); Edinburgh, Scotland (2016); Mexico City, Mexico (2014); Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2012); Singapore, Singapore (2010); Rijeka, Croatia (2008); Beijing, China (2006); Sydney, Australia (2004); Brasilia, Brazil (2002); London, UK (2000); Tokyo, Japan (1998); San Francisco, United States (1996); Buenos Aires, Argentina (1994); and Amsterdam, the Netherlands (1992).

In selecting the host for the World Congress, the IAB Board considers several factors, including:

Proposed theme of the Congress
Accessibility of Congress:
- Geographic accessibility: IAB seeks geographical diversity of countries and ease of access with respect to visa requirements
- Accessibility at the Congress venue: IAB seeks ease of access at the Congress site with respect to transportation, lodging, and accessibility for participants who face physical challenges
- Language accessibility: IAB seeks translation services in the local language of the host country (if other than English) with simultaneous English translation
Commitment to minimizing the event’s carbon footprint by offering shared transport, accommodations near the conference facility, sustainable food options and packaging, and other innovations demonstrating environmental stewardship
Commitment to the free exchange of ideas at the Congress venue
Physical and technological capacity (meeting facilities, hotel accommodations, transportation) to accommodate both in-person conferencing and hybrid participation
Commitment, synergy, and quality of the local academic bioethics community and (if applicable) the Congress organizing team
Engagement with IAB networks, including linking network activities to the Congress, in particular FAB, which holds its conference prior to the IAB Congress
Organizational management, including plans to secure financial and sponsorship support for the Congress, and plans to organize scholarships for participants from low-income countries, early career researchers, and trainees

Institutions / organizations interested in hosting the 2026 Congress should submit an “Expression of Interest” in the form of a document no longer than 10 pages, that addresses the considerations enumerated above, and that includes the following additional information:

Name and complete address of the bidding institution / organization (including the name and email of a primary contact person)
Members of the local organizing committee
Proposed theme and dates of the Congress
Potential sources of financial and sponsorship support for the Congress, including the ability to sufficiently underwrite any losses that may be incurred during the Congress
Special considerations deemed relevant to the local context

The Board will begin reviewing Expressions of Interest on April 1, 2023 and the Call will remain open until a site is chosen. Priority will be given to groups expressing an interest in hosting early on. Groups interested in hosting should send an Expression of Interest by email to the International Association of Bioethics Secretariat at i abioethics.wcbbids@gmail.com .

Selection Process

The IAB Board will acknowledge receipt of all “Expressions of Interest” and the Board of Directors will review each carefully relative to the criteria
Institutions / organizations deemed to have submitted the most competitive bids will be invited to present their proposal and provide further information at an IAB Board of Directors meeting via video conference
The decision of where to host the next World Congress is made by a vote of the IAB Board of Directors

The successful bidder will be invited to make a brief presentation (either in-person or online) at a ceremony announcing the next Congress location (to be held at the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Congress in Doha, Qatar) and to make a presentation at the 2026 World Congress in their capacity as Congress hosts.

Potential bidders for successive World Congresses in 2028 or 2030 may also express preliminary interest. Please note, however, that the selection criteria and process described above are revised periodically and are subject to change, and that the decision to host the next World Congress is made by a vote of the Board of Directors at the time a bid is submitted.

Other Hosting Opportunities

Institutions or organizations wishing to hold a conference or symposium involving the IAB in odd-number years (between World Congresses), may also contact the Secretariat for further information. Though not World Congresses, interim meetings can offer a unique opportunity for bioethics institutions to increase their institutions' local and international presence through association with the IAB. Board members welcome opportunities to present lectures and/or participate in other educational activities at IAB-affiliated events in the period between World Congresses. Please see the professional descriptions of IAB Board members for information about current Board members and their interests.