Annual Meeting 2026
VALIDATE’s 8th Annual Meeting took place from 22–25 June 2026 in the vibrant city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
ECR Workshop - 22 June 2026
The 2026 Annual Meeting opened with a dedicated training day for Early Career Researchers, led by VALIDATE's own Samantha Vermaak and Dr María Adelaida Gómez. Our 2026 ECR Workshop focussed on grant writing, offering practical guidance on how to turn research ideas into competitive proposals. Through interactive sessions, participants learnt how to identify funding opportunities and structure applications effectively — gaining valuable insights from experienced researchers and grant reviewers.
A Three-Day Annual Meeting - 23 - 25 June 2026
Following the workshop, VALIDATE’s Annual Meeting returned — extended to three full days to provide even more opportunities for networking, discussion, and collaboration. The meeting was free for VALIDATE members and showcased cutting-edge vaccine research on our core pathogens: Mycobacteria, Leishmania, and Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis). The expanded format included talks from international experts, poster sessions, interactive discussions, and social events — an unmissable opportunity to connect with peers and leaders across the global vaccine community.
The Venue- The Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
Set on Cartagena’s Caribbean coastline, the Hyatt Regency Cartagena offered modern conference facilities, on-site accommodation, and excellent connectivity to the historic walled city. The venue provided an ideal setting for scientific exchange, networking, and collaboration, while also giving delegates the opportunity to experience one of Latin America’s oldest, most vibrant and culturally rich cities.
Annual Meeting Calls and Registration Now Closed
The deadline for our Annual Meeting Registration, Travel Grants, Poster Abstracts, and Research Talks has now passed.
