5th Frontiers Retreat
11 – 13 June 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Registration is open!
Registration Deadline: 18 May 2025
The 5th ESACT Frontiers Retreat will bring together Early Career Scientists (ECSs) in cell technology and related fields.
Unlike traditional meetings, Frontiers Retreats focus on career and personal development, networking, and bridging the gap between industry and academia. The program includes:
- Career Development Sessions – Featuring expert career insights, skill-building opportunities, and a dedicated coaching session on career progression.
- Scientific Sessions – A platform for ECSs to present their work, with most oral slots reserved for selected abstracts.
- Prizes – Awards for the best oral and poster presentations. The top oral presentation winner will earn a spot at the 29th ESACT meeting in 2026.
The retreat is open to all, including non-ESACT members. Submit your abstract and save the date!
We look forward to welcoming you to Slovenia.
Detailed Information
Scientific Program
Please see the Scientific Program of the 5th Frontiers Retreat here.
Fee
Registration fee (applies to all delegates, irrespective of abstract submission):
Late Registration from 1 March to 18 May 2025: 500,00 EUR
Early Registration from 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025: 450,00 EUR
The registration fee includes participation in the meeting, coffee breaks, lunches, social activities, as well as hotel accommodation and breakfast for the nights of 11, 12 and 13 June 2025 in a shared room.
Single room upgrade: 150,00 EUR
Registration
Location & Accomodation
Conference and accommodation will be at the same place for you to make the most of your time to enjoy the sessions, the workshops and to network with your peers.
Accomodation and Conference Venue:
City Hotel Ljubljana
Dalmatinova 15
1000 Ljubljana
Travel Information
For more information on how to reach the hotel via public transport or to arrange an airport transfer directly with the hotel please visit the City Hotel website linked below.
Contact
Ms. Hirra Hussain
E-mail: gro.tcase@sreitnorf
Bursaries
Bursaries
To support Early Career Scientists, ESACT has worked to minimize registration fees, which include the Retreat program, hotel accommodation, and meals.
If costs remain a barrier, grants are available through ESACT to facilitate Early Career Scientists’ participation in ESACT-related events.
Application deadline: 14 February 2025
Late submissions will not be considered.
Eligibility Criteria
- Abstract submission is not mandatory but prioritized for bursary applicants.
- Open to:
- Ph.D./Master’s students (proof of affiliation required).
- Early career postdocs, industrial scientists, or engineers (within 8 years of their most recent qualification, diploma/certificate required).
- Letter of support from a supervisor/manager is required.
- Limited bursaries available – Selection is based on scientific quality and relevance to Advancing Cell Technology Field.
Application
Applications should be sent by e-mail to gro.tcase@sreitnorf with the following details:
- Proof of affiliation or qualification certificate
- Travel details (predicted transport costs, extra hotel nights if needed, etc.)
- Letter of support from your supervisor
Abstract Submission
Deadline
Abstract Submission is open!
The Abstract Submission form with important guidelines is available below.
Submissions deadline for oral presentation: 28 February 2025
Submissions deadline for poster presentation: 25 April 2025
Submission Criteria
While abstract submission is not mandatory, we encourage you to submit original work for an oral or poster presentation.
- Selection Criteria: Accepted abstracts may be a factor in registration limitations and bursary allocation.
- Eligibility Information: As this retreat is for early career scientists, we ask for:
- Highest academic qualification
- Current position
- Affiliation
- Age Recommendation: No strict age limit, but the event is most relevant for those within 8 years of their most recent qualification.
Successfully submitted abstracts will be acknowledged with an electronic receipt. Abstract acceptance will be notified as soon as possible, usually late April/early May.
Abstract Template
Please use our file template to write your abstract.
Name the file with your name and category code: Surname_Forename_CODE
Abstract Preparation Guideline
- Abstracts must be submitted in English as .doc(x) files
- Maximum abstract length is 400 words
- Abstracts should include relevant and detailed information about the work to be presented, divided into the following sections:
- i) background and novelty
- ii) experimental approach
- iii) results and discussion.
- Codes for Categories:
- VVV tag for “Vaccines and viral vectors”
- CLDE tag for Cell line development and engineering”
- PDO tag for “Process development and optimization”
- NMA tag for “New methods and analytics in cell culture”
- CTD tag for “Cells for toxicology and drug screening”
- SCRM tag for “Stem cells & regenerative medicine”
- DAM tag for “Digitalization and Modeling”
Please note: If your abstract matches with different categories, please include them all in the file name of your abstract and select the main one from the drop-down menu in the submission form.
Example: Surname_Forename_CODE1_CODE2
Abstracts will be anonymised and reviewed and scored by a Scientific Committee according to their quality and will be proposed for oral or poster presentation in the different scientific sessions