AIDS 2026 workshop submissions are closed
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Registration
Submissions
Conference overview
Submissions open: 20 November 2025
Submission deadline: 27 January 2026
Notification of acceptance: April 2026
Workshop programme at AIDS 2026: 28 to 31 July 2026
Workshops are interactive sessions that provide a platform for knowledge transfer, skills development and active learning. The aim of the workshop programme is to support participants in implementing and advocating for effective, evidence-based HIV policies and interventions in their communities and countries.
Workshops differ from symposia and other sessions at AIDS 2026 as they:
- Are targeted at specific audiences
- Can be longer in duration (up to 120 minutes)
- Have at least two facilitators
- Use interactive tools to offer a more engaging experience, such as case studies, multiple perspectives (point/counter), role play, storytelling, testimonials, Q&A, formal debates, discussions, roundtables and group work
Workshop submissions must:
- Cover HIV-related topic(s)
- Be completed using the online form on your AIDS 2026 account
- Be completed in English
- Focus on knowledge transfer, skills development and collaborative learning
Number of workshops: About 20 workshops, depending on the number of high-quality submissions
Delivery: Workshops are conducted in person with no virtual participation.
Duration: 90-120 minutes
Number of facilitators: Each workshop is run by at least two facilitators
Workshop focus areas
Community workshops
- Showcase effective peer-driven programmes and services that are run by and for people living with and affected by HIV
- Build skills and capacity by providing examples of successful partnerships between civil society, policy makers and health professionals
Leadership workshops
- Serve as platforms for new and current leaders to share and learn innovative skills for an effective, coordinated and transparent HIV response
- Develop and enhance the ability to assess and measure commitments and actions of leaders in HIV policy and response
Science workshops
- Highlight excellence in the latest research and accelerate the scaling up of evidence-informed approaches to the HIV response
- Encourage collaborative learning on the latest scientific research
Workshop levels
Foundation level
- For learners new to a career in HIV and health
- Build strong foundation skills and knowledge
Intermediate level
- For mid-career learners who have a strong foundation
- Advance professional expertise and help become more effective team leaders
Advanced level
- For learners who have been working in HIV and health for a substantial time
- Offer new, fresh approaches to the HIV response to enhance delivery on high-stakes projects
Selection process
- Workshops are selected from proposals submitted by the public through the AIDS 2026 website.
- At least two reviewers assess each proposal.
Selection criteria
- Workshop objectives: Are they measurable and supported by learning activities?
- Facilitator’s expertise and experience: Is the main facilitator qualified?
- Methodology and format: Does the workshop support active learning?
- Relevance: Is the workshop relevant to the stated thematic category, focus area and target audience?
- Outcome: Does the workshop develop relevant transferable skills?
Scholarships for workshop facilitators
If you are a workshop facilitator or co-facilitator and need financial support to attend AIDS 2026, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship. If your submission is selected for the conference, you will be prioritized in scholarship selection.
The main facilitator and co-facilitator(s) will find their workshop submission listed on the last page of their AIDS 2026 Scholarship application. Each person must apply separately for a scholarship, using the same email address for their scholarship application and workshop submission so that the two can be linked. Please note that if the facilitator changes after the scholarship is awarded, the scholarship will be cancelled unless a request is made by 1 June 2026 to transfer it to the new facilitator.
Applications for scholarships for AIDS 2026 close on 27 January 2026, 23:59 CET. You can find more information on scholarships here.
Questions
For questions, please see the FAQs below. If we haven’t answered your question below, please email the AIDS 2026 Workshops team at workshops@aids2026.org.
FAQs
What is a workshop at AIDS 2026?
A workshop is an interactive session for knowledge transfer, skills development and active learning. It supports participants in implementing and advocating for effective, evidence-based HIV policies and interventions in their communities and countries.
When is the deadline to submit a workshop proposal?
The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is 27 January 2026.
How do I submit a workshop proposal?
Submit your workshop proposal via your AIDS 2026 account.
Is virtual participation in workshops allowed?
No. Workshops are conducted in person with no virtual participation. All workshop facilitators and audience members must be present in the room in person.
Is there a fee for workshop submission?
No. The IAS does not charge any fees for workshop submission. If the workshop is selected, there is no fee for having a slot in the AIDS 2026 programme and using the workshop room. Workshop facilitators have to cover the costs of their participation in AIDS 2026, just like any other delegates; this includes the conference registration fee and any personal expenses associated with travel and stay in Rio de Janeiro.
We have noticed attempts by some individuals to deceive applicants and/or submitters by requesting payments in exchange for favourable outcomes in applications and/or submissions.
Please note:
- The IAS does not solicit or accept money from applicants, submitters and/or third parties for any matters related to applications and/or submissions, including the review process.
- Consider any communication suggesting otherwise as fraudulent, and report it immediately to privacy@iasociety.org.
Can I apply for a scholarship?
If you are a workshop facilitator or co-facilitator and need financial support to attend AIDS 2026, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship. If your submission is selected for the conference, you will be prioritized in scholarship selection.
The main facilitator and co-facilitator(s) will find their workshop submission listed on the last page of their AIDS 2026 Scholarship application. Each person must apply separately for a scholarship, using the same email address for their scholarship application and workshop submission so that the two can be linked. Please note that if the facilitator changes after the scholarship is awarded, the scholarship will be cancelled unless a request is made by 1 June 2026 to transfer it to the new facilitator.
Applications for scholarships for AIDS 2026 close on 27 January 2026, 23:59 CET. You can find more information on scholarships here.