Registration & ticket info

Join us in Edinburgh for an inspiring and transformative experience from 23 to 25 March 2026

We understand that many in the UK are currently facing increased living costs, which disproportionately affect those from marginalised and underrepresented backgrounds. This financial strain puts many at risk of being forced out of higher education or discourages them from pursuing further studies. That’s why tickets are offered on a sliding scale. Both ticket types give exactly the same access and the only difference is what you are able to pay.

We want MLSFF to be accessible to everyone. The true cost of a delegate place is more than £900, but thanks to funding and sponsorship we are able to offer heavily subsidised tickets.

Standard Ticket (£475)

If your place is covered by your institution, or if you are able to pay this rate, please select the Standard Ticket. Although this is already well below the real cost, it makes a big difference as every standard ticket sold helps us keep fees low for students, early career researchers and others who couldn’t attend otherwise.

Supported Ticket (£185)

If the lower rate makes the difference between attending and not attending, please select the Supported Ticket. No explanation is required. These places are made possible through the generosity of our funders, sponsors and delegates who can pay the Standard rate.


Why you should attend

Undergraduates, College and School Students

Attending the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of science and take your first steps into the wider academic and professional community. Whether it’s presenting your work, networking, or simply soaking up the experience, this event is designed to support and inspire scientists like you.

If you’ve never attended a conference before, don’t worry, this is the perfect environment to start.

You do not need to register first to  submit an abstract or apply to be a mentee. 


  • Witness some of the most innovative research being conducted today and discover exciting developments in the life sciences. Learn what’s happening at the forefront of STEM and how it connects to your interests.
  • Showcase your research, projects, or ideas through poster or flash talks. Even if this is your first presentation, this welcoming environment is the ideal place to learn and gain confidence, with feedback that’s always constructive.
  • Meet mentors, peers, and professionals who can guide and inspire you. Start building your scientific network early, it’s one of the most valuable resources for your future career.
  • Attend tailored workshops, covering topics like navigating university, planning a pathway to PhD study, and bridging skills gaps. These sessions are designed to help you develop the tools and mindset needed to succeed.
  • Find out what life in academia, research, or industry really looks like by talking directly to professionals. Learn about the challenges, rewards, and many different paths you can take.

Undergraduate and College Students Participation

Although you can simply register and enjoy the full programme of events, we’re particularly eager to see poster presentations from undergraduates and college students. Don’t worry if you’re unsure whether your work is ready to share, this is the perfect environment for early-career students. Whether it’s a end-of-year project, a literature review, or preliminary results from your a summer research placement, the Future Forum offers a welcoming and supportive space for you to take the leap.

Submitting an abstract couldn’t be easier, you don’t even have to register first! Just summarise your research or project in a paragraph of up to 300 words. That’s all it takes to get started, so be sure to submit as early as possible to secure your place.

If you’re unsure about how to create a scientific poster, don’t worry, there are plenty of resources online to help you get started, and the Future Forum team will send out handy tips closer to the date to guide you through the process.

In addition to presenting, we’d love for undergraduates to take advantage of the Future Forum’s incredible mentoring programme by signing up as mentees. This is a rare chance to gain guidance, insights, and career advice from professionals in your field, and you can absolutely do both—present your work and learn from experienced mentors! 

Graduates and Postdocs

Attending the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum is an incredible opportunity to deepen your engagement with the world of science and take your academic and professional journey to the next level. Whether it’s presenting your research, building valuable connections, or gaining career-enhancing skills, this event is designed to inspire and support scientists at every stage of their journey, while creating a true sense of belonging in the life science community.

You do not need to register first to sign up to volunteer, submit an abstract, or apply to be mentor/mentee. 


  • Discover cutting-edge research and developments in the life sciences that will inspire and inform your own work. Gain insight into the latest advancements and how they connect to your field of interest.
  • Present your research or ideas through flash talks or poster presentations. Whether you’re sharing early findings or polished results, this supportive environment is ideal for gaining feedback and building confidence. Flash talks offer a dynamic platform to showcase your work in short, engaging sessions, while posters allow for detailed one-to-one discussions with attendees.
  • Expand your professional network by meeting mentors, peers, and industry leaders who can help guide your career. Building these connections is a crucial step in advancing your future in science.
  • Participate in workshops tailored to your career stage, covering topics like applying for your first fellowship, strategic career planning, and mentoring. These sessions provide the tools and insights you need to navigate your path in STEM successfully.
  • Engage with professionals from academia and industry to explore the diverse career paths available to you. Gain invaluable advice from those who have navigated similar journeys and learn how to apply their experiences to your own progression.

Graduate and Postdoc Participation

Although you can simply register and enjoy the full programme of events, we’re particularly eager to see flash talks and poster presentations from graduate students and postdocs. Whether it’s a dissertation chapter, a research proposal, or experimental results, the Future Forum provides a welcoming space for you to showcase your work and receive constructive feedback from experts in your field.

Submitting an abstract is simple, and you don’t even need to register first! Just summarise your research or project in a paragraph of up to 300 words. Be sure to submit as early as possible to secure your place.

In addition to presenting, graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to get involved in running the event. Volunteering on the day is a fantastic way to fully engage, whether it’s helping with registration, marketing, or judging posters and flash talks, depending on your skills and interests.

We also encourage graduate students and postdocs to sign up as both mentees and mentors. This is a unique opportunity to receive career guidance while sharing your own knowledge and experiences with undergraduates or other early-career scientists. You can absolutely sign up for everything too—present your work, volunteer, mentor others, and receive mentorship yourself!

Academics and Professionals

Attending the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of the life sciences, give back to the community, and connect with the next generation of talent. Whether it’s giving a talk, charing or running a session, mentoring, or judging, this event is designed to inspire, engage, and showcase the vital contributions of professionals like you.

The Future Forum thrives on collaboration, and your participation is essential to making it a success.

You do not need to register first to sign up to volunteer, submit an abstract, or apply to be mentor/mentee. 


Why Should You Attend?

  • Act as a mentor and share your insights, experiences, and guidance with students and early-career researchers. Your support could make a significant difference in helping them navigate their life sceinces journey and their sense of belonging in the community.
  • Help us recognise and reward emerging talent by lending your expertise to assess poster and flash talk presentations. Judging is an impactful way to engage with the next generation and their innovative ideas.
  • Assist on the day by helping with registration, supporting attendees, or enhancing accessibility. We particularly welcome volunteers with experience working with individuals with neurodivergence, physical disabilities, or hearing impairments.
  • Present your work, policies, or projects in poster format as this opportunity is not limited to students. Whether you’re an academic, industry leader, or policymaker, the Future Forum provides an excellent platform to highlight your contributions to science, equity, and inclusion.
  • Raise the profile of your organisation by exhibiting at the Future Forum. Exhibitors will connect directly with attendees, highlight their work, and recruit future talent.

Academics and Professionals Participation

Although you can, and we encourage you to, simply register and enjoy the full programme of events, we’re particularly eager to see academics, industry leaders, and professionals engaging with the Future Forum in impactful ways. Whether it’s encouraging your institution to exhibit and showcase its initiatives, volunteering to support attendees with additional needs, or acting as a judge for poster and flash talk presentations, your contribution will make a meaningful difference. Most importantly, we’d love for you to help spread the word to students, colleagues, and networks who would benefit from this unique conference, ensuring its reach and impact are maximised.

Industry Leaders and Exhibitors

Attending the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum is an incredible opportunity to showcase your organisation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the life sciences, while also engaging with the next generation of talent. Whether it’s exhibiting, mentoring, judging, or supporting attendees, your involvement will help shape a more inclusive and innovative future for the sector. This is also a chance to raise your organisation’s profile by showcasing your DE&I efforts, ESG goals, and commitment to social responsibility and building an inclusive workforce. Help spread the word about the Future Forum by promoting it within your networks and encouraging colleagues to attend.

If you already know you want to exhibit, spaces are an incredible value please head straight to our exhibition page here.


Why Should You Participate?

Showcase your organisation’s initiatives, innovations, and DE&I goals by exhibiting. mentoring or presenting at the Future Forum. Exhibitors and all industry participants connect directly with students, early-career researchers, and other professionals, creating life-long meaningful connections with the future of life sciences. Exhibition spaces are just £695, and for universities, this includes 2 FREE full registrations for students submitting abstracts in addition to an exhibitor pass for the person manning the stand!!!. For organisations without financial means, limited free spaces are available.

Exhibit and Engage

Whether it’s a project, research, or policy initiative, the Future Forum provides a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and organisations to present their contributions through posters or flash talks. This is not limited to students as your expertise and ideas are just welcome.

Mentor the Next Generation

Act as a mentor to students and early-career researchers, offering guidance, inspiration, and career advice. Your insights could make a lasting impact on their journey and help them feel a stronger sense of belonging in the scientific community.

Judge Emerging Talent

Help recognise and reward outstanding contributions by assessing poster and flash talk presentations. Judging is an impactful way to engage with innovative ideas and support rising talent.

Sponsoring much needed support workers

Support the Future Forum by funding accessibility initiatives that go beyond accommodation to truly create a sense of belonging in the life sciences. Your sponsorship will enable us to provide dedicated support for individuals with neurodivergence, physical disabilities, and hearing impairments, ensuring they feel valued and included in every aspect of the event.


Although you can, and we encourage you to, simply register and enjoy the full programme of events, we’re particularly eager to see industry leaders and organisations engaging with the Future Forum in impactful ways. From exhibiting to mentoring, judging, or supporting accessibility, your contributions are vital.

Simplify Group Participation

If your organisation is considering sending multiple attendees, we offer tailored bulk registration packages to make the process seamless. For more information or to explore options, please contact us at [email protected].

Together, let’s make a difference and create a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future for the life sciences sector.

Join the Future Forum Mentorship Programme

Help build a strong pipeline of diverse talent in the life sciences. Our mentorship programme connects established professionals with emerging scientists from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds, supporting career development and ensuring the next generation has the guidance they need. Whether you’re looking to mentor or be mentored, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Sign Up to Mentor or Mentee


 School and Teacher Registrations
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Wellcome, the Medical Research Council, the Royal Society of Biology, and Applied Microbiology International have generously sponsored a number of places for school-aged student groups and their teachers to attend the Future Forum. These places are offered on a waiting-list basis. If you’re a school-aged student (16-18), or teacher that would like to bring a group of local students and would like to register your interest, please complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch with further details.

Alternatively, school admistrators and teachers can purchase tickets via invoice by emailing us [email protected].


If you are a student aged between 16-18, you do not need to provide your email address, but please complete the following fields if you can: 

 

Need Help?

For registration support, contact us at [email protected].