FAQs

Before submitting your abstract or proposal, you will be asked to create a conference account. You can submit one or several abstracts or proposals through the same account.

To submit your abstract or proposal, please log in to your conference account and select the relevant submission category. You will be able to modify your submission at any time until the submission deadline, 27 January 2026. 

After submission, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Please use this reference number in all conference correspondence.

Find out more about submitting abstracts for AIDS 2026 here.

Yes. The Global Village will highlight grassroots activism, community programmes and cultural expression around HIV and AIDS. AIDS 2026 will host a Global Village in person at the conference venue, the Riocentro Convention & Event Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Find out more about submitting Global Village activities for AIDS 2026 here.

Yes. AIDS 2026 will offer about 20 high-quality, targeted workshops to promote and enhance opportunities for knowledge transfer, skills development and collaborative learning.

Find out more about submitting workshops for AIDS 2026 here.

Yes. For AIDS 2026, event organizers will be able to apply for Affiliated Independent Event status and benefit from being visible and promoted to the large and diverse network of IAS Members and conference delegates.

Affiliated Independent Event applications for AIDS 2026 will open in March 2026. We will share more information soon.

Yes. AIDS 2026 will offer tailored satellite symposia packages in Rio.

Find out more about AIDS 2026 satellite symposia here.

Please view the programme at a glance for provisional satellite symposia dates and times. These dates and times are subject to change.

Find out more about AIDS 2026 satellites here.

Yes. A dedicated exhibition space will showcase innovations, research, products and services in the global HIV response. Commercial and non-commercial organizations can choose to order from two packages: shell scheme booths and space-only options.

Find out more about the AIDS 2026 exhibition here.

To host a satellite symposium and/or exhibition at AIDS 2026, commercial and non-commercial organizations must meet the following criteria: 

• The organization reflects and/or supports the vision and goals of the conference.
• The organization addresses HIV and AIDS, co-infections or issues faced by individuals or organizations affected by or responding to the HIV pandemic.
• The organization reflects the conference policies and goals of diversity and inclusion. 

Yes. Pre-conferences will take place on 26 July 2026.

Find out more about AIDS 2026 pre-conferences here.

Yes. Interpretation and English captioning will be available for all sessions, except pre-conferences.

To access interpretation, please have your phone and headphones ready. Simply scan the QR code provided in each session room, select your preferred language, and click “Join”. You will then have the option of reading captions or listening to audio. 

The IAS promotes the use of non-stigmatizing, people-first language. Our interpretation software uses artificial intelligence and is highly accurate. Nevertheless, occasional translation errors may occur. We provide automated translation services to make our content as widely accessible as possible. Although efforts have been made to train this technology, it may not always respect the people-first language of the original version. 

As headphones will not be provided, we kindly ask that you bring your own to avoid disrupting others during live interpretation. Your cooperation ensures a pleasant experience for all conference participants.

If the IAS changes the conference format to fully virtual, all in-person plus virtual registrations will be converted to virtual registrations and the difference refunded.

Read the terms and conditions here.

Yes. The IAS will offer a comprehensive in-person volunteer programme. Applications open in March 2026.

The IAS is committed to accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities. For any accessibility-related questions, please contact the AIDS 2026 Accessibility team at accessibility@aids2026.org.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you must do so via your conference profile by 27 January 2026, 23:59 CET. Find out more about the scholarship programme here.

To help with your planning, the AIDS 2026 Accommodation team (c/o K.I.T. Group, the official housing provider for AIDS 2026) has pre-booked hotel rooms in Rio. For further information, including how to make a room reservation or a group booking via the accommodation booking system, please click here. 

For information and recommendations about the visa process, please visit the AIDS 2026 immigration page.