What is this conference about and why should I apply?

This cohort will attend the annual Evolution conference which is a joint meeting of the the American Society of Naturalists, the Society of Systematic Biologists, and the Society for the Study of Evolution. This conference is a great opportunity to connect and network with a very broad group of biologists and researchers from all around the country. You will have the opportunity to present your research, attend scientific talks, meet diverse students, faculty, and researchers from institutions from around the US and even internationally! You will be able to talk to graduate students about their institutions and experiences, and find out about their graduate programs. You might even find a potential graduate research advisor you want to keep in touch with! 

Attending a national conference like Evolution has value even if you are not planning a research career! You will gain experience by presenting your work and yourself in a professional context, improving your interview skills and developing your understanding of the broader context of your research project. It’s a great resume builder whether you are applying for graduate school, medical school or another health professions graduate program, or applying for a job in a biological or related field. Conferences are for everyone!!

Will I know people at the conference?

Yes! You will connect with your cohort of BCEENET student researchers before the conference in our virtual training program, so you will already have a team of familiar folks to hang out with at the conference. We will also have BCEENET cohort specific activities, including our own field trip, so you will always have a group of people to be with!

When and where is Evolution 2026?

Evolution will be in Cleveland, OH on June 20-24, 2026 at the Huntington Convention Center. The cohort will be there for the entire duration of the conference plus an extra day for travel purposes. 

Who attends Evolution?

Evolution is the joint meeting of three societies (American Society of Naturalists, the Society of Systematic Biologists, and the Society for the Study of Evolution) so there will be a very diverse group of folks in attendance. It is generally a good mix of research professionals, academic researchers, and students. There will be a little bit of everything for everyone! 

What do I need to apply?

• You will need thoughtful paragraph long answers for the following short essay questions:

  1. What made you interested in this opportunity and how do you believe this experience will help you achieve your academic or professional career goals?

  2. What do you hope to contribute to the conference cohort and the broader conference community during your experience?

  3. Please describe any barriers you faced navigating your college experiences in STEM. 

• Contact information for someone who will write you a letter of recommendation. Letters are due two weeks after the application deadline, so you should contact your reference person before you apply.

• A title and a draft abstract for your project. If you need help drafting an abstract, check out our page on how to write an abstract.

Check out our for students page for information on eligibility and more details on how to apply.

If you have additional questions about the application process, or about this program, please contact the Conference Cohort Team at bceenet.cohorts@gmail.com.