Call for Abstracts & Proposals

For the last 20 years, the National Bioethics Conference (NBC) has fostered dialogue and debate on critical ethical issues in global health, whilst maintaining an intersectional and inter-disciplinary lens to these discussions.

The organising committee, 11^th National Bioethics Conference (NBC), is pleased to invite for presentation at the 11^th NBC

(a) abstracts for oral presentation of papers and posters, and

(b) proposals for in-conference symposia, workshops, trainings, and consultations.

Abstracts and proposals must be relevant to topics from bioethics, including but not limited to the conference theme and sub-themes. Submissions that bring critical, novel discussions to these themes, and those that describe research findings or project outcomes will be considered by the Scientific Programme Committee and the Organising Committee.

To be considered, abstracts and proposals must adhere to the formats prescribed below. Submissions that do not follow the format will be summarily rejected.

Format for Abstracts

1. Title
2. Authors, Designation and Institutional Affiliation (if any): Please list authors in order (first author to last); please also designate clearly the person presenting the paper/ poster at NBC
3. Background and Purpose
4. Description of Research Methods or Ethical Issues/Dilemmas
5. Research Results or Outcomes of Ethical Inquiry
6. Discussion (related to bioethics principles and theories) and Implications for Bioethics
7. Preferred Mode of Presentation: Oral /Poster/ Either
8. AI Use Disclosure: Please note the extent and details of generative AI/AI-assisted technology use in preparing the abstract. For submissions that have not relied on generative AI/AI-assisted technology use, authors can declare “No generative AI/AI-assisted technology has been used in preparation of this abstract.” For submissions that have relied on generative AI/AI-assisted technology use, authors should mention the AI tool used, the version of the tool, the purpose for which the tool was used, and the processes by which human oversight was maintained.

Please note that the maximum number of words for parts [3]-[6] above is 500 words.

The Scientific Committee will review the abstracts based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance to the subject of bioethics and the conference
2. Clarity of ideas
3. Originality
4. Methodological rigour

The author/s of selected abstracts will be invited to present their work in parallel sessions spread over the main conference days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 22, 23, & 24 January, 2027. 

Format for Proposals

1. Title
2. Abstract (250 words)
3. Name of the organiser/chair, with institutional affiliation (if any), email address, phone number, and poster address. Please indicate a primary contact if there is more than one organiser/chair.
4. A list of presentation titles, proposed speakers (with institutional affiliations), and discussants (if any)
5. Structure of the symposium/workshop/training/consultation
6. Duration (90-minutes or 180-minutes)
7. AI Use Disclosure: Please note the extent and details of generative AI/AI-assisted technology use in preparing the abstract. For submissions that have not relied on generative AI/AI-assisted technology use, authors can declare “No generative AI/AI-assisted technology has been used in preparation of this abstract.” For submissions that have relied on generative AI/AI-assisted technology use, authors should mention the AI tool used, the version of the tool, the purpose for which the tool was used, and the processes by which human oversight was maintained.

The Scientific Committee will review the submissions based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance to the subject of bioethics and the conference
2. Perceived interest of the peer community
3. Well-defined and focused objectives
4. Scientific, technical, and philosophical excellence
5. Potential impact and value for participants/attendees

Selected proposals will be scheduled during the main conference as parallel sessions between the opening plenaries and closing plenaries on the main conference days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 22, 23, & 24 January, 2027.

Decisions of the Scientific Programme Committee and Organising Committee will be final and binding.

 Submission timelines:

• Submissions open: July 24, 2026
• Last date to receive submission: September 21, 2026, 11.59 PM
• Link for submitting proposals: https://submissions.ijme.in/index.php/nbc/submissions (please submit proposals as a Word document with a brief cover letter)

Abstracts and proposals submitted through any other channels will not be reviewed.

Note: The 11^th NBC will be unable to support organisers’, chairs’, or speakers’ travel, registration, or stay. All participants will have to register for the conference.