ISSCR | International Society for Stem Cell Research 2026
Event Date
July 8–11, 2026
Location
Montréal, Canada
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, taking place 8–11 July 2026 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in Montréal, Canada. Billed as "The Global Stem Cell Event," it convenes leaders in stem cell research and regenerative medicine from across disciplines and regions for four days of science.
The meeting draws a global scientific audience. Organizers expect nearly 3,500 scientists from around the world, spanning academia, clinical research, and industry. Attendees include principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, students, clinicians, and biotech and pharmaceutical professionals working across the stem cell and regenerative medicine field.
The scientific program is organized around six tracks — Clinical Applications; Capturing Development; Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery; Engineering Biology; Ethics, Translation, Policy, and Impact; and Somatic Stem Cells — featuring plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, science spotlight talks, poster presentations, and networking. It is worth attending for its breadth of cutting-edge science, its international faculty, and its unmatched opportunities to connect with the global stem cell community.
Show Highlights
- Six scientific tracks: Clinical Applications; Capturing Development; Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery; Engineering Biology; Ethics, Translation, Policy, and Impact; and Somatic Stem Cells.
- Session formats: plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, science spotlight sessions, and special sessions, plus poster presentations.
- Networking: a Meet-Up Hub, receptions and lounges, and one-on-one partnering opportunities.
- Awards: travel, merit, and poster awards for researchers.
- Program leadership drawn from top institutions worldwide, including co-chairs and committee members from Switzerland, Japan, Canada, the USA, the UK, China, India, and France.
- Official meeting journal: Stem Cell Reports.
Attendance
Organizers expect nearly 3,500 scientists from around the world to attend ISSCR 2026. The broader ISSCR community comprises nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries.
Registration
Registration is handled through the ISSCR's online event system, accessible from the official meeting website. In addition to in-person attendance, an on-demand registration option provides access to audio and slide-capture recordings of plenary and select concurrent sessions after the event, along with the Program & Abstract Book.
Published on-demand registration rates are:
- ISSCR Student/Post-Doc Member: $300
- ISSCR Full/Affiliate Member: $550
- Non-Member: $900
On-demand registration is complimentary for ISSCR members who live in World Bank–designated low- and low-middle-income countries. Registrants receive a letter of invitation for visa or eTA applications in their post-registration confirmation email.
History
The ISSCR Annual Meeting is the flagship event of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, described as the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to stem cell research, with nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries. The meeting rotates among major international host cities each year; recent and upcoming editions include Hamburg, Germany (2024) and Montréal, Canada (2026). Montréal was announced as the host city for the 2026 edition in May 2025.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Palais des congrès de Montréal
159 Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, 9e étage
The Palais des congrès de Montréal is a major convention center located in the heart of downtown Montréal, at the crossroads of the city's business district and the historic charm of Old Montréal. The ISSCR meeting is hosted on its 9th floor. The venue connects directly to the city's underground pedestrian network and is served by nearby public transit.
Parking
A limited amount of indoor parking is available at the Palais des congrès for a rate of approximately $30 per day, with all charges the responsibility of the attendee. The parking lot is located at 1025 Rue Chenneville, Montréal, QC H2Z 1V8, with the entrance accessible via Avenue Viger. Additional parking options are available nearby.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Air Canada is a preferred airline offering discounted fares (promotion code V42BKGC1) for travel roughly 29 June–19 July 2026. Travelers from the US East Coast can also reach Montréal by Amtrak's Adirondack train, a scenic, lower-carbon option. By transit, the closest Metro station is Place-d'Armes on the orange line, with one exit connecting directly to the Galeries du Palais; buses 55 and 129 also serve the Palais. Montréal has a well-connected network of Metro, buses, and commuter trains, and rideshare and taxis are widely available.
Nearby Hotels
The ISSCR offers an official hotel block; reservations and details are available through the meeting's Passkey booking link, and questions should be directed to the hotel directly. For students and post-docs, a dormitory-style housing option is available at McGill University's Royal Victoria residence, an 18-minute walk from the Palais des congrès. These rooms include a twin bed, work area, small fridge, and shared washroom, at a rate of $80.00 CAD plus taxes, with a limited number available (booking link and promo code provided after meeting registration).
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting?
The meeting takes place 8–11 July 2026 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, located at 159 Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest in downtown Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Who attends the ISSCR Annual Meeting?
It draws nearly 3,500 scientists from around the world, including researchers, clinicians, students, postdocs, and industry professionals working in stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
What scientific topics does the program cover?
The program is organized around six tracks: Clinical Applications; Capturing Development; Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery; Engineering Biology; Ethics, Translation, Policy, and Impact; and Somatic Stem Cells.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration is available through the ISSCR's online event system linked from the official meeting site. On-demand registration rates are $300 for ISSCR student/post-doc members, $550 for full/affiliate members, and $900 for non-members, with complimentary on-demand access for ISSCR members in low- and low-middle-income countries.
What are the travel and hotel options for attendees?
The nearest airport is Montréal–Trudeau International (YUL), and the Place-d'Armes Metro station connects directly to the venue. The ISSCR offers an official hotel block, plus a discounted student/post-doc dormitory option at McGill University's Royal Victoria residence at $80 CAD plus taxes per night.
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