Paediatric Research for the Future of Children (PRFC)

The European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR), together with the University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospital, are proud to collaborate on an exceptional event, 'Paediatric Research for the Future of Children: A Global Forum' designed to foster critical dialogue among leading experts in the field. Scheduled to take place at the prestigious Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland on 11-13 February 2026, this event will serve as a unique platform for thought leaders, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocates to convene in an industry-neutral setting. The event is limited to 300 participants. 

The scientific research themes

Precision Medicine & Novel Therapies in Paediatrics
Big Data in Paediatric Research
Child Mental Health and Development
Early Life Determinants of Health and Disease
Promoting Global Paediatric Research and Paediatric Clinician Scientists

PRFC welcomes a community of excellent researchers at the forefront of scientific discovery. Attendees will include leading paediatric researchers, clinicians, innovators, and institutional stakeholders from around the globe.

While many congresses have increasingly prioritised commercial interests, this forum remains steadfast in its commitment to a purely science-driven agenda. Our goal is to cultivate a collaborative environment free from conflicts of interest, dedicated solely to advancing pediatric research and addressing critical challenges in the field. Join us!

Abstract submission timeline

• Our Mission

  Charting the course for global leadership in paediatric research by examining future trends and fostering innovation on a global scale.
• Organising Societies

  

  Society for Pediatric Research (SPR)

  SPR was founded in 1929 and has over 3,600 members.

  SPR's mission is to create a network of multi-disciplinary researchers to improve child health. In pursuit of this mission SPR is guided by three goals: Connect, Collaborate, and Catalyze Research. Specifically SPR works to:

  1. Connect: Facilitate active communications among and between researchers
  2. Collaborate: Promote research collaborations through mentoring and knowledge sharing
  3. Catalyze research: Advocate for funding and policies supportive of research

   

  For further information and to become a SPR member visit: www.societyforpediatricresearch.org

   

  

  European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR)
  
  The ESPR has been at the forefront of Paediatric medical care and innovation since 1958. As one of the oldest and most prolific Paediatric research societies in Europe, its activities are organised according to three pillars:
  
  

  1. The ten sections representing different Paediatric sub-specialties fostering the publication of research and guidelines;
  2. The European School of Neonatology (ESN) acting as the society's educational arm and implementing a wide range of educational activities. This includes a clinically-integrated Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Neonatology, an academic Master of Science (MSc) in Neonatology (NOTE) in collaboration with the University of Southampton, and dedicated ESN hands-on pre-congress courses;
  3. The European Board of Neonatal Child Health Research (EBNCHR) that periodically reviews the European Training Requirements (ETR) in Neonatology and provides leadership in the context of child health research policy and funding.
     
     

  Mission: Developing and applying research to improve newborn and child health.
  
  

  Collaborating Partners
  
  PRFC 2026 is organised in collaboratin with the University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospital, and Campus Biotech.                     
• Chairs of PRFC 2026

  Ann Chahroudi MD PhD Forum Co-Chair Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research and Career Development Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine Co-Director, Pediatric Residency Investigative Scholars at Emory (PRISE) Program Co-Director, Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) United States

  Petra Hüppi MD PhD Forum Chair Chief Physician for Development and Growth, University Children's Hospital Geneva Switzerland

  Lois K. Lee MD MPH FAAP FACEP Bio Forum Co-Chair Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine | Harvard Medical School Senior Associate in Pediatrics | Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital United States
• Organising Committee

  Lina Chalak MD MSCS Professor, William Buchanan Chair in Pediatrics Division Chief, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Director, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, United States	Willem de Boode MD PhD Radboud University Med. Center Amalia Children's Hospital Nijmegen Netherlands	Olivier Baud MD PhD Paris Diderot University Paris, France	Sven Wellmann MD MBA University Children's Hospital Regensburg, Germany
  Charles Christoph Roehr MD PhD Professor of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Bristol, UK - Clinical Trials Unit, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Oxford Population Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, UK	Anna A. Penn MD PhD Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital United States	Todd Florin MD MSCE Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine,United States
• Scientific Committee

  Anne O'Donnell-Luria MD PhD Attending Physician, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School United States	Jackie Grupp-Phelan MD MPH Chief and Vice Chair, Pediatric Emergency Medicine UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Medicine Endowed Professor United States	David H Rowitch MD PhD FMedSci FRS Professor of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge Associate Director, Basic and Translational Research, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's United Kingdom
  Hannah C. Glass MDCM MAS Professor Neurology, Pediatrics, Epidemiology & Biostatistics Director, Neonatal Neurocritical Care Services UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital http://profiles.ucsf.edu/hannah.glass	Wanda Barfield MD MPH FAAP Rear Adm Division Director Division of Reproductive Health Centers for Disease Control Atlanta, Georgia, United States	Eleanor Molloy PhD Trinity College Dublin Ireland
  David Edwards MA MBBS DSc FRCP FRCR FRCPCH FMedSci Director of the Centre for the Developing Brain, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Head of the Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, King's College London  Consultant Neonatologist, Evelina Children's Hospital United Kingdom	Urs Frey MD PhD Chair of Paediatrics and Medical Director at the University Children's Hospital in Basel (UKBB) Switzerland	Cynthia F. Bearer MD PhD Chief of the Division of Neonatology University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
  Peter Brodin MD PhD Professor of Pediatric Immunology, Imperial College London Physician/scientist at the department of pediatrics at the Karolinska University Hospital United Kingdom/Sweden	Sing Sing Way MD PhD Pauline and Lawson Reed Chair for the Division of Infectious Diseases at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center United States	David McCulley MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology University of California, San Diego & Rady Children's Hospital SPR Ambassador to the North American Regional Societies
  Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine Children's National Medical Center and The George Washington University United States
• Abstract Submission Guidelines (Please read carefully before submitting)

  General Rules for Submission

  1. Abstracts must be submitted exclusively online via the official congress website. Abstracts submitted via email will not be accepted.
  2. Please use the dedicated abstract submission template that can be downloaded here. Please fill in and submit in PDF format. 
  3. Presentation Type: Authors may submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations. The Scientific Committee will decide the final presentation format, considering the author's preference.
  4. Abstracts must be submitted before the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be reviewed.
  5. All abstracts will be reviewed by a dedicated team of experts. We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be showcased at the congress.
  6. Submission opening: 1 June 2025
  7. Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
  8. Abstract notification: by mid-September 2025

  
  Submission Limitations

  • Each attendee may submit up to five abstracts, irrespective of whether they are the presenting author.
  • Abstract submitters must register as congress participants within two weeks of abstract acceptance/notification.
    
    

  Important Requirements

  1. Original Work:
     - Abstracts must present original research.
     - Abstracts must represent research that has not been published yet.
     - Abstracts must reflect completed studies with data. Works in progress should not be submitted.
  2. Language: All abstracts must be submitted in English.
  3. Conflict of Interest: Submitters must disclose any conflicts of interest through the submission form.
  4. Acknowledgment of Publication: Submission of an abstract implies consent for its inclusion in official congress materials.
  5. Consent of Co-Authors: The presenting author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors approve the abstract's content and submission.

  
  Preparation Guidelines

  Before beginning the submission process, prepare the following details:

  1. Presenting Author Details:
     - Full name
     - Email address
     - Affiliation (department, institution/hospital, city, state, and country)
     - Phone number
  2. Author and Co-Author Details: Ensure all co-authors are included with correct information.
  3. Preferred Presentation Type: Specify oral or poster presentation.
  4. Abstract Title:
     - This is limited to 25 words.
     - Avoid symbols or special characters unless written as words.
  5. Abstract Text:
     - Maximum of 250 words, including acknowledgments.
  6. Abstract Structure: Clearly organise the abstract into the following sections:
     - Background and Aims
     - Methods
     - Results
     - Conclusions
  7. Additional Requirements:
     - Use standard abbreviations; define uncommon abbreviations upon first use.
     - Generic names must be used for drugs, avoiding any promotional or commercial content.
     - Do not include patient names, hospital IDs, or other identifiable information.
     - Acceptable format: PDF.
  8. Images and Tables (2 max.):
     - Each image must not exceed 500 KB.
     - Maximum resolution: 600(w) x 800(h) pixels.
     - Acceptable formats: JPG, PNG, or GIF.
  9. Abstract Theme: Select the appropriate theme from the provided list during submission. These are:

  • Precision Medicine & Novel Therapies in Paediatrics
  • Big Data in Paediatric Research
  • Child Mental Health and Development
  • Early Life Determinants of Health and Disease
  • Promoting Global Paediatric Research and Paediatric Clinician Scientists
    
    

  Submission Process

  • Please submit your abstract via the congress registration platform.
  • The process must be completed in one session. Drafts can not be created and submitted at a later stage.
  • If you do not receive confirmation of submission, contact the organising team at prfc2026@espr.eu.
  • Avoid submitting multiple copies of the same abstract.
    
    

  Declaration for abstract submitters

  By submitting your abstract, you confirm the following:

  1. The abstract has been previewed and is accurate. Once submitted, modifications will not be possible.
  2. All authors consent to the publication of the abstract in congress-related materials.
  3. You guarantee that the abstract does not infringe on third-party rights, including intellectual property and privacy rights.
  4. You grant the organisers a royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, publish, translate, and distribute the abstract in any format or platform.
  5. The contact details provided are those of the presenting author, who will be responsible for all correspondence and for keeping co-authors informed about the status of the abstract.
  6. The presenting author must register as a congress participant.
  7. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to reallocate the abstract to a different theme, topic, or sub-topic if necessary.
  8. You have obtained consent from all co-authors for the processing of their contact information by the congress organisers.

   

  Thank you for your contribution to PRFC 2026!
• Registration Fees

  Categories	Registration Fees
  Senior researchers	750 €
  Nurses/Allied Healthcare Professionals	300 €
  Early Career Investigators (<36 years)	300 €
  Parent/patient representatives	200 €
  Institutional representatives	750 €
• The Venue: Campus Biotech

  Campus Biotech, located in Geneva's Sécheron district, is a renowned center of excellence in biotechnology and life sciences. Established in 2013, it occupies the former Merck Serono building and spans 40,000 square meters. The campus is dedicated to advancing research in neuroscience, neurotechnology, digital health, and global health. It hosts a diverse community of scientists and entrepreneurs, including prominent institutions such as the EPFL-UNIGE Biomedical Center, the Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, and the Health 2030 Genome Center. As part of the Swiss Innovation Park, Campus Biotech positions the Lake Geneva region at the forefront of global research in these fields. We look forward to welcoming you there!

  Address: Campus Biotech Innovation Park, Av. de Sécheron 15, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.

  Find out more: www.campusbiotech.ch/en

  
• Networking Events

  Coming soon. 
• Discover Geneva – The Host City of PRFC 2026

  Nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the majestic Alps and Jura mountains, Geneva is one of the most captivating cities in Europe. Known as a global hub for diplomacy, science, and innovation, Geneva offers an inspiring setting for the Pediatric Research for the Future of Children Summit.

  Geneva is home to countless international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, making it a center for advancing health and well-being on a global scale. Its reputation as a leader in research and collaboration aligns perfectly with the mission of this summit: to drive innovation in pediatric care and create a better future for children.

  The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, with its historic Old Town, cobblestone streets, and iconic landmarks like St. Peter's Cathedral and the Jet d'Eau fountain. Visitors can enjoy world-class museums, such as the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire and the Patek Philippe Museum, as well as Geneva's vibrant culinary scene and renowned Swiss hospitality.

  The event will take place at Campus Biotech, a world-class research and innovation center dedicated to biotechnology, neuroscience, and global health. Located in the heart of the city, Campus Biotech reflects Geneva's dedication to cutting-edge research and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

  Join us in Geneva for a summit that combines groundbreaking science with the charm and elegance of one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Together, let's shape the future of pediatric research in a setting that inspires progress and innovation.

  

   

   
• Contact us

  For any questions you may have, please reach out to our team via prfc2026@espr.eu.

Abstract submissions are now open! We look forward to receiving your work!