The “Cortona Prokaryotes” Conference will take place in Cortona, Italy, from 17 – 19 June 2026.

This meeting is a long-standing scientific tradition: since 1984 it has been held every two years in the same venue, becoming a key appointment for the Italian microbiology community.  The main mission of Cortona Prokaryotes is to provide young scientists with a unique opportunity to present their research, exchange ideas and build collaborations in an informal and stimulating environment. Although originally conceived as a national initiative, the conference has progressively attracted participants from abroad, especially PhD students and postdocs.

The official language is English, and each edition includes keynote lectures delivered by internationally renowned scientists, thus giving participants direct exposure to the dynamics of a truly international congress. In this sense, Cortona Prokaryotes has become a genuine “launch pad” for early-career researchers aiming to engage in larger scientific networks. The scope of the meeting is broad, reflecting the diversity of contemporary microbiology of prokaryotes, eukaryotes as well as viruses. Topics span clinical/host-associated and environmental microbiology, molecular microbiology, microbial genetics, biodiversity, bioremediation and computational microbiology.

To further encourage the participation of young scientists, the conference does not charge a registration fee, and one entire day is dedicated to presentations by 3rd-year PhD students, giving them a central role in the program. The structure of the upcoming edition will include 2 keynote lectures, at least eight thematic sessions derived from submitted abstracts and sessions dedicated to the 3rd year Ph.D. students’ reports (“PhD Day.”).