Routes For Support

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Session proposals deadline 30 Sept

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Abstract submissions now open

| Session proposals deadline 30 Sept | Abstract submissions now open

FEMS is proud of its commitment to give back to our community of microbiologists. As such, we have several routes for achieving financial support to attend the FEMS MICRO Milan 2027: Congress & Exhibition as a full attendee.

Please see below the various ways to apply for support. There are two routes to explore: one via the FEMS MICRO 2027 abstract submission route; and another via the FEMS Awards route. 

1

Via FEMS MICRO 2027 abstract submission route

There are two ways to gain financial support when submitting your abstract to FEMS MICRO 2027: 

  • FEMS MICRO Attendance Grant - FEMS awards hundreds of FEMS MICRO Attendance Grants, which apply a full fee waiver to your registration to attend.

  • FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Award - The successful candidate is awarded up to €4,000 and includes complimentary registration. The award is open to members of the American Society of Microbiology. 

    NOTE: Abstract submitters that apply for a FEMS MICRO Attendance Grant or FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Award should hold off registering for FEMS MICRO 2027 until they receive their Grant or Award notification. The deadline for abstract submission is 15 December 2026 (23:59 CET).

2

Via FEMS Awards route

The winners of the following awards receive as part of their prize a waiver of the registration fee for FEMS MICRO 2027: 

FEMS is deeply committed to providing support for attendance to the FEMS MICRO Congress & Exhibition. We provide hundreds of FEMS MICRO Attendance Grants to European and non-European Early Career Scientists, which apply a full fee waiver to your registration to attend. 

FEMS MICRO Attendance Grant

  • The grant applications are open until 15 December 2026, (23:59 CET) and are part of the abstract submissions process.

  • Applicants for a FEMS MICRO Attendance Grant should: 

    • be an Early Career Researcher and thus should either have obtained highest academic degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD) less than five years prior the application deadline, or be a PhD student* 

    • be an active microbiologist 

    • be the first author and presenter of an accepted abstract for the FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027: Congress & Exhibition 

    • attend the FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027: Congress & Exhibition and be a registered participant 

    *periods of maternity/paternity leave, special leave or illness do not count toward this definition

    Grant winners cannot transfer their free registration to someone else.  

The FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Award supports the reciprocal exchange of one member from each organisation to present his/her research at the other organisation’s main conference. It has been designed to benefit early career researchers from both organisations by giving them the opportunity to present their work overseas and experience the best of microbiology in the partner country.

The American Society of Microbiology (ASM) will select the member attending the biannual FEMS MICRO: Congress & Exhibition and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) will select the member attending ASM Microbe. 

These awards are to support travel and living costs of the grantee only, at maximum amounting to EUR 4,000. 

FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Award

  • The award applications are open until 15 December 2026, (23:59 CET) and are part of the abstract submissions process.

  • Applicants for the award should: 

    • be a microbiologist active in research and be a current PhD (or equivalent) student or recipient of PhD within the past five years 

    • be a member of the American Society of Microbiology 

    • be the first author of an accepted abstract for FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027: Congress & Exhibition 

    • attend the FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027: Congress & Exhibition and be a registered participant 

This Award in particular aims to recognize Early Career Researchers that have realised an excellent body of (published) research and research potential. The nomination can be based on a single exceptionally significant achievement or the aggregate of a number of exemplary achievements. 

FEMS Outstanding Early Career Microbiologist Award

  • You can find regulations and how to apply on the FEMS website. Submit your nomination by 30 September 2026 (23:59 CEST)

    • microbiologists within 5 years of receiving their highest qualification/PhD* 

    • active in any field of microbiology 

    • member of a FEMS Member Society 

    *periods of maternity/paternity leave, special leave or illness do not count toward this definition

    Eligible candidates can be nominated or nominate themselves via awards submission system. The Awardee will receive a free registration to FEMS MICRO 2027.

The FEMS-Lwoff Award for Achievements in Microbiology is the most prestigious award presented by FEMS. It recognises outstanding microbiologists whose world-class research has advanced microbial knowledge to help address important societal challenges.

The award is named in honour of Professor André M. Lwoff, the first FEMS President (1974–1976) and 1965 Nobel laureate in Medicine. The award is presented with a commemorative silver medal at the FEMS MICRO: Congress & Exhibition, where the recipient is invited to give prize-lecture during a topic session and share their work with the wider microbiology community.

FEMS-lwoff Award

  • You can find regulations and how to apply on the FEMS website. Submit your nomination by 30 September 2026 (23:59 CEST)

    • The FEMS-Lwoff Award requires nomination of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to microbiology in Europe.

    • All areas of microbiology are eligible for consideration. While preference is given to nominees whose scientific research demonstrates excellence and societal impact, exceptional contributions through teaching, scientific writing, leadership, or other forms of service to microbiology may also be recognised.

    • Nominees are preferably working and residing in Europe.

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