Application

The AbGradCon 2021 Application has closed.

The application deadline was April 17, 2021 (23:59 JST), and application decisions were sent on June 18, 2021. We look forward to receiving your application for future AbGradCon meetings.

Who can apply?

In general, AbGradCon is intended for graduate students, as well as early-career researchers and postdocs within a few years of their graduation. Undergraduates who are entering a graduate program in Fall 2021 will be considered first-year graduate students. Exceptional senior undergraduates with research experience have attended AbGradCon in the past, but priority will be given to graduate students and early-career researchers for both funding and oral presentation slots. As this is a meeting for graduate students and postdocs, faculty and staff scientists are in principle not eligible.

What kinds of talks and posters are we looking for?

Astrobiology is a multidisciplinary field. Participants will be asked to submit unique abstracts under one of 8 categories: astronomy, biology, chemistry, education, engineering, geology, planetary science, and society. These will then be evaluated by members of the organizing committee who has expertise in one or more of these areas.

How will abstracts be selected?

Abstracts are required during application and will be evaluated based on their scientific merit and appeal, novelty, applicability to astrobiology, and clarity of the abstract itself (grammar and readability). In principle, only one abstract may be submitted by each applicant.

Do I have to submit an abstract to attend AbGradCon 2021?

Yes. In principle, all participants must submit and present an abstract (either as an oral presentation or a poster). As this AbGradCon is an event for graduate students and postdocs, it is a great opportunity for early career researchers to give formal presentations in a conference setting.