The 26th Annual RAPS Meeting (RAPS 2026) will be hosted at the University of Manchester on 2nd - 4th September 2026.

Get ready for a great conference bringing together early-career academics (within approximately 5 years of appointment), PDRAs and industrialists.

We aim for this meeting to offer opportunities to present your work, develop new networks, and provide practical early-career advice from a range of experienced speakers on subjects such as obtaining funding, building a lab and generating impact from your work.

Overall, the meeting is an open and welcoming space for early-career researchers to start their network of collaborators.

Make sure to register before 20th July to secure conference accommodation

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Mike Shaver, University of Manchester

Dr Amy Goddard, Croda International Plc

Dr Susan Kelleher, Dublin City University

Provisional Conference Programme

Wednesday 2nd September:

12.30 - 13.00 - Registration/Lunch

13.00 - 17.00 - Presentations

17.00 - 18.00 - Poster Session

19.00 - Late - Social Evening at NQ64

Thursday 3rd September:

09.00 - 12.00 - Presentations

12.00 - 13.00 - Lunch

13.00 - 17.00 - Presentations

17.00 - 18.00 - Poster Session

19.00 - Late - Banquet and Drinks at Zouk

Friday 4th September:

09.00 - 12.00 - Presentations

12.00 - 12.15 - Closing Remarks

Abstract Submission

If you wish to submit an abstract for an oral or poster contribution please upload your submission through this Google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTtA5X3PFVtfDWzGsQkwQNZblBFmzqsmqJVJE3PdPWrxRe3g/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Please make sure to use the template provided:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1W7P8BfSn5TNWmkDeYjVk3bIkJydVjiv4

Organiser Contact Details

Niamh Fox - niamh.fox@manchester.ac.uk

Sarah-Jane Richards - sarah-jane.richards@manchester.ac.uk

Robert Nixon - robert.nixon@manchester.ac.uk

Travel to Manchester

The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) is exceptionally well connected and less than a 10 minute walk from both Oxford Road and Piccadilly train stations.

Arrival via other train stations:

There are tram and bus options to travel between Victoria Station and Piccadilly Station; many also stop in the city centre leaving a short walk to the conference location (<10 mins).

Taxi: We DO NOT recommend using taxis for travel around Manchester, as it is slower and more expensive than the excellent public transport.

Conference Accommodation

Accommodation will be at Travelodge Manchester Ancoats, 22 Great Ancoats St, Manchester, M4 5AZ.

This is a 15 minute walk from Piccadilly Train Station and a 25 minute walk from the conference location (MIB).

Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and will be available between 6:30 - 8:30 am.

Conference Location

https://www.mib.manchester.ac.uk/

Address: 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom.

The main entrance to the MIB is best found using this exact location link:

https://w3w.co/active.cubs.icon

Or via google maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wCtJj2RL5RSSud738

The MIB is less than a 10 minute walk from both Piccadilly and Oxford Road train stations. The nearest Tram stop is St. Peter's Square (15 min walk).

Description supplied by the event organiser.