VNOP Conference 2026
Rethinking Developmental Science: How can we grow with the world around us?

Abstract Submissions Due by March 1st 2026

Portal for Submissions Opens February 15th, 2026

Are you a researcher in developmental science? We invite you to submit your abstract for a symposium (90 minutes), an individual presentation (flash talk and/or poster), or a teaching symposium. You can submit your abstract until March 1.

We want to emphasize that both senior and junior researchers (including master students) are encouraged to submit!

Instructions for abstract submission

1. Abstracts must be submitted online and in English.
2. You can choose your preferred format: A. symposium, B. individual presentation, or C. a teaching symposium.
   • Symposium (90 minutes; 4 presentations or 3 presentations and a discussion led by a 4th contributor): 
     • Overall title
     • Symposium leader
     • Overall abstract: maximum 100 words
     • Keywords
     • Structure (e.g., how many presenters, and if there is room for discussion)
     • Diversity: maximum of 100 words (explain how you tried to encourage diversity in your symposium, e.g. career stage/gender/institution of speakers; populations test; etc.)
     • Per presentation (in order of the symposium)
       • Title
       • Author & affiliations
       • Abstract text: maximum 250 words
   • Individual presentation (abstracts of planned research projects are welcome)
     • Title
     • Author & affiliations
     • Indicate if you want to be considered for a Flash talk (5 min), poster, or both
     • Abstract text: maximum of 250 words
     • Keywords
   • Teaching symposium (90 minutes; consisting of a clear subject involving teaching related to (developmental) psychology; various formats are possible, e.g. symposium, presentation, round table discussion):
     • Overall title
     • Symposium leader
     • Overall abstract: maximum 200 words
     • Keywords
     • Structure (explaining the format)
     • Per presentation:
       • Title
       • Author & affiliation
       • Abstract text: maximum 250 words
3. Please indicate if your submission falls under any of these topics (this will not influence the chance of getting accepted but will facilitate structuring presentations):
   • (Mental) health
   • Resilience
   • EHealth
   • Decision-making
   • Cognition
   • Social support (parents, peers)
   • Education
   • Other

Submissions can be made via our submission portal (opens February 15). If you would like to be notified when submissions open, sign up for our newsletter. Please note that you will have to log in to your VNOP account before being able to navigate to the submission portal.

After the deadline all submitted abstracts will be reviewed, and the corresponding  author will be notified of the decision early in April 2026 (before early-bird registration deadline of April 8). Accepted abstracts will be included in the conference program and published. 

If you have any questions, you can email us at vnop2026@essb.eur.nl. And keep an eye on our LinkedIn page for more information and conference updates.