The symposia submission period ended on December 1, 2025 and the Call for Abstracts will open January 26, 2026.
With the exciting ABCChem 2026 theme, Chemistry for Global Impact: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation, the topic areas for this conference were thoughtfully selected. Each symposia proposal selected will follow the symposium guidelines and fall into one of 5 topic areas: Green Chemistry and Sustainable Innovation, Global Connections and Education Curriculum, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology-Driven Research, Health and Medicine for All, and Emerging Research in Chemical Frontiers.
Questions? Please contact ABCChemMail@acs.org.
Green chemistry and sustainable innovation offer complementary approaches to addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. Together, they support global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and IUPAC’s Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry, driving progress in climate action, clean energy, responsible production, and sustainability. This topic encourages rethinking conventional methods and strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance and economic feasibility.
Areas of interest include the development of bio-based, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic materials; safer chemical synthesis with reduced toxicity; efficient catalysts and reaction pathways; water-saving and solvent-free processes; and the integration of renewable energy in chemical manufacturing, such as solar-driven synthesis or electrification.
Contributions can also include circular economy strategies like recycling, upcycling, and product redesign for extended life cycles; the use of metrics and models to evaluate green chemistry performance; AI applications in sustainable chemistry; nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture; and systems thinking in responsible chemistry.
Global Connections and Education Curriculum highlights the role of chemistry in designing innovative and inclusive educational programs that foster international collaboration and broaden access to knowledge. It emphasizes how chemistry can help build a robust global community of scientists by connecting diverse learners and professionals, strengthening equity in educational opportunities, and promoting the development of professional and scientific skills.
Chemistry education and professional development builds disciplinary knowledge and transferable skills, preparing students for global scientific, technological, and societal challenges. This topic area supports contributions that promote scientific literacy, career readiness, sustainability, and international collaboration. It also highlights the impact of emerging technologies, like AI and digital platforms, in expanding access, personalizing learning, and fostering equity for the global community.
This topic area welcomes contributions that demonstrate how chemistry education is central to professional development and educational outreach, with an emphasis on creating a global scientific community that is more inclusive, interconnected, and equitable
The AI and Technology-Driven Research topic explores the intersection of computational methods, experimental breakthroughs, and practical applications. Symposium proposals are invited that examine AI’s role in advancing chemistry—guiding materials and drug design, enabling automated experimentation, and supporting sustainability through data-driven models that address environmental challenges and reduce impact across sectors.
Contributions may also highlight the importance of addressing global disparities in access to AI and technology, with a focus on ethical and collaborative approaches. The topic further considers AI’s growing influence in scientific publishing, including issues of transparency, responsible use, and best practices in communication.
A dedicated half-day workshop will offer hands-on training in AI fundamentals and applications in chemistry. Through presentations, workshops, and discussions, this theme demonstrates how AI connects disciplines, accelerates the transition from research to application, and drives innovation.
Health and Medicine for All highlights chemistry’s role in advancing human and animal health through research at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and biochemistry. This topic welcomes contributions that demonstrate how chemistry enhances healthcare access and equity, bridging basic science and clinical applications across species.
Areas of interest include the discovery of small molecules, peptides, and nucleic acid–based therapies; investigation of disease mechanisms and intervention strategies; and molecular insights into enzyme activity, signaling pathways, and metabolism that inform therapeutic design.
Protein science is a particular focus, including the study of protein structure and function for developing targeted medicines, inhibitors, biologics, and vaccines. Advances in protein engineering also support improved diagnostics, imaging tools, and therapeutic delivery systems. These approaches benefit both human and animal medicine, addressing infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and chronic health conditions across species.
The purpose of this topic is to provide a broad and inclusive platform for contributions that highlight emerging areas of chemistry and interdisciplinary research. It welcomes contributions presenting innovative studies, novel methodologies, and new findings that may not fit neatly into the above categories but have the potential to open new directions in science.
By bringing together diverse perspectives, this topic aims to stimulate dialogue, foster collaboration, and showcase pioneering ideas that expand the frontiers of chemical sciences. Researchers at all career stages are encouraged to contribute, particularly those exploring transformative approaches and cross-cutting challenges relevant to science, technology, and society.
Symposium proposals will be reviewed based on the following guidelines:
ABCChem is committed to celebrating our global community through promoting inclusive conference participation that recognizes the shared responsibility needed for a safe, productive and respectful meeting environment for all. All ABCChem 2026 participants are expected to treat others with respect to facilitate open dialogue and effective discussions.
We are committed to building a far-ranging and inclusive scientific program to enhance community building among our global participants. We ask that symposium organizers, as they are finalizing their speaker lists for ABCChem 2026, balance the contribution of scientists from industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, and government make every effort to meet the following guidelines:
