The second iteration of our SimBodies conference will focus on computational simulation of biomechanical body models, bringing together scientists from the neuroethology, physics simulation, machine learning, and computer vision communities. Recent technological advances in automated behavior analysis, anatomical microscopy, simulation software and machine learning now enable detailed biomechanical simulations of behaving animals at the whole-body scale. We aim to assess the state of the art, identify existing gaps, and continue to foster an interdisciplinary community to address those gaps. The program will include invited and selected talks highlighting individual model organisms and cross-cutting approaches.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Applications are closed.

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.

The fourth installment of our ChemTools conference will bring together experts in the development of chemistry-based tools that unravel signaling networks within cells and tissues. Presentations and discussions will focus on three major themes: 1) major platforms and analytical tools to measure cells and tissue networks, 2) methods to perturb biological networks in cells and tissues, and 3) applications of these tools to make novel insights to biological systems.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Applications are closed.

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.

The 2026 4D Cellular Physiology (4DCP) conference will delve into the fascinating crosstalk between mechanics and metabolism across biological scales, from single cells to entire organisms. This emerging field of mechano-metabolism addresses how physical forces and cellular metabolism work together to drive development, tissue repair, adaptation, and homeostasis - and how their imbalance contributes to diseases like cancer. Talks and discussions will spotlight cutting-edge research on mechano-metabolism in development, pathophysiology, tissue microenvironments, and morphogenesis. Attendees will also gain insights into novel tools, methods, and theoretical frameworks at the interface of mechanics, signaling, and metabolism.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all onsite participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in your application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Application deadline extended to Jan 19, 2026 (11:59pm ET)

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for as broad a representation across labs as possible and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.

For many years, our understanding of early mammalian development has been limited by the inability to visualize development as it happens. Technical limitations, physical inaccessibility, and complex computational problems have all hindered our ability to answer long-standing questions in the field of mouse development. Recent advances in light microscopy and AI present us with new avenues and opportunities to address outstanding questions.

For the 10th anniversary of this conference, which alternates between Janelia and EMBL Heidelberg, we are bringing together members of the mouse developmental biology community with experts in cutting-edge machine learning and microscopy technologies. This year’s meeting will focus on how emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches can be harnessed to create smarter microscopes, automated image analysis pipelines, and data-driven models. The goal is to unlock new insights from the rapidly expanding amount of data generated by next-generation technologies, from transcriptomics to advanced imaging platforms.

The intimate nature of Janelia meetings fosters an interactive and collaborative environment, with researchers across disciplines coming together for an intense, focused, 3-day gathering to tackle some of the most outstanding questions in mammalian development.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Application deadline: April 9, 2026 (11:59pm ET).

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.

The third installment of this exciting conference will convene leading investigators working at the interface of cell and neuronal biology to explore new concepts underlying neural development, maintenance and degeneration. Sessions will highlight emerging areas of neuronal cell biology, advances in our understanding of intracellular processes in health and disease, and innovative tools and approaches for probing neuronal function across species - from circuits to cells to molecules. Topics will include neuronal endo/lysosomal systems, organelle interaction, proteostasis, metabolism, synaptic development and maintenance, glia–neuron interactions, brain vasculature, signaling pathways, neurodegeneration and more.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Application deadline: April 30, 2026 (11:59pm ET).

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.