In less than a year, the microbiology community will come together again.
From 5–8 July 2027, FEMS MICRO: Congress & Exhibition will arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia, bringing microbiologists and partners from around the world together to exchange ideas and explore what comes next for the field.
As the countdown begins, FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027 is starting to take shape, with a confirmed speaker line-up and session proposal submissions now open.
Microbiology is helping us understand and respond to some of the most important challenges facing society, from human and planetary health to food systems, biotechnology, and the environment. Under the theme Growing microbial futures, FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027 will look ahead to the discoveries, approaches, and ideas that will shape the future of microbial research. It will create a space to explore emerging science, share perspectives, and consider how the field can contribute to a changing world.
Progress will depend on collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and career stages. The Congress & Exhibition will bring together researchers, students and early-career scientists, industry professionals, educators, and policymakers to share knowledge, spark new ideas, and explore where microbiology is heading next.
Introducing the opening and closing keynote speakers
FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027 will feature internationally recognised keynote speakers from leading institutions across Europe and beyond, bringing perspectives that reflect the breadth of microbiology and its connections with health, technology, the environment and society. The Congress & Exhibition will open with Professor Marion Koopmans from the Erasmus MC Department of Viroscience, the Netherlands, and conclude with a closing keynote from Professor John Cryan of University College Cork, Ireland, an internationally renowned neuroscientist whose pioneering research on the microbiome–gut–brain axis has transformed our understanding of the connections between gut health, brain function, and human wellbeing. More keynote speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Why Ljubljana?
Ljubljana offers an inspiring setting for FEMS MICRO 2027: welcoming, accessible and surrounded by nature, with a strong academic environment and a scale that makes it easy to connect. The venue will bring the scientific programme, Exhibition, and community spaces together, supporting dialogue, networking, and collaboration throughout the Congress & Exhibition. Beyond the venue, Ljubljana’s walkable centre, green spaces, and relaxed atmosphere will provide an inviting backdrop for the wider Congress & Exhibition experience.
Lead a discussion: session proposals are now open
The call for Session Proposals for FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027 is now open, inviting the microbiology community to contribute to the scientific programme from the start. On 2 September, abstract submissions will open for poster displays, flash talks, and session talks. Further information about the submission process and important dates will be available on the FEMS MICRO 2027 website. Keep an eye out for the announcement.
Building on Milan
FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 brought over 2,000 people from more than 95 countries together for four days of scientific exchange, new connections, and shared ideas. From conversations that continued long after sessions ended to the excitement of discovering new research among more than 1,400 posters, Milan showed what can happen when the microbiology community comes together. In Ljubljana, we will build on that momentum and create new opportunities to connect, collaborate, and explore what comes next.
Join us in Ljubljana to reconnect with the FEMS community, discover what is emerging across microbiology, and help grow its future together.
Important dates and deadlines
- 8 July – 30 September 2026 – open call for session proposals
- 2 September – 15 December 2026 – open call for abstract & grant submissions
- March 2027 – early bird registration
- April 2027 – regular registration
- June 2027 – late registration
