JULY 19-22, 2026
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Conference focus
The RCMI Consortium: 40 Years of National Leadership
Biomedical Research, Training the Next Generation, and Community Health Impact
The RCMI Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was established by Congress to expand the nation's capacity for health research and scientific advances that benefit all populations. The RCMI Coordinating Center collaborates with RCMI U54 Specialized Centers and NIMHD leaders to enhance research capacity, support investigators, foster career development, improve the quality of scientific inquiry, and build sustainable community partnerships.
Overall objective
The RCMI Consortium National Conference will convene PI/PDs from RCMI U54 Centers, senior scientists, center collaborators, research project leaders, pilot project awardees, key community partners, NIH leaders, students, and staff. Participants will exchange information, explore opportunities for collaboration, and discuss strategies to address shared challenges.
- Project administration and multi-site coordination
- Research resources to support scientific and multi-site projects
- Early-stage investigator development and mentoring
- Community engagement
RCMI 2026 presents research opportunities to share new and innovative approaches, develop the next generation of research leaders, and extend the reach and visibility of RCMI scientists and communities interested in improving health outcomes.
Conference overview
About the conference
The 2026 National Conference of the RCMI Consortium is a forum to present the exciting science of RCMI-funded investigators, including early-stage investigators and collaborators. Concurrent workshops will engage directors and program staff from across the RCMI Consortium, including investigator development, community engagement, research infrastructure, administration, and evaluation teams, who will work together to share best practices and track progress and programmatic outcomes of the RCMI U54 Centers.
The workshops will feature new inter-institutional collaboration opportunities, including data science notices of special interest, pilot projects, and clinical research networks.
View the Agenda
The conference will include general sessions and concurrent scientific sessions consisting of lectures, panel discussions, oral abstract presentations, and general and moderated poster presentations.
View Program Outline → RegisterRegister Now
Registration is required for all attendees. Standard registration rates end June 18, 2026, and late registration rates begin June 19, 2026.
Registration Information → AbstractsSubmit Abstract
Abstract submissions are due May 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. Scientific and informative abstracts should reflect the focus of the conference.
Abstract Information →Program outline
Expected conference elements
General sessions and concurrent scientific sessions will include opening plenary programming, panel discussions, oral presentations, and general and moderated poster presentations.
General Sessions
Conference-wide lectures, plenary remarks, and shared scientific programming.
Scientific Sessions
Concurrent sessions with presentations across biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and public health topics.
Workshops
Investigator development, research infrastructure, data resources, evaluation, and program administration.
Poster Sessions
Poster presentations and discussion opportunities for accepted abstracts.