UKARFF Early Career Researcher Event 2026

The UK Ageing Research Funders’ Forum (UKARFF) is bringing early career researchers in ageing together for a day of talks, posters and a funders’ panel in central London, and registration is open until 30 September.

Co-organised by BBSRC, ESRC, the Health Foundation and the Vivensa Foundation, the day features a keynote speaker, a panel of UKARFF funders, short talks and poster presentations from ECRs, and plenty of time to network. UKARFF brings together organisations that fund research into the mechanisms of ageing, age-related disease, and health and social care for older adults.

Date: Monday 23 November 2026
Time: 9.30am to 5pm (UK time)
Location: The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP
Registration and abstract deadline: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Cost: Free

Who can attend
The event is for ECRs working on ageing, which the organisers define as final-year PhD students and postdocs with up to ten years’ research experience, allowing for career breaks, parental leave and the impact of COVID-19. Places are limited, and priority goes to researchers funded by UKARFF members who are willing to present their work.

Registering is an expression of interest, not a confirmed place. The organisers will confirm allocations by 16 October 2026, so don’t book travel before then.

Presenting your work
When you register you can put yourself forward for a talk or a poster by submitting a title and abstract, also by 30 September. A panel from BBSRC, ESRC, the Health Foundation and the Vivensa Foundation will pick presenters to give a good spread of topics, studies, career stages and speakers. There are prizes for the best poster and the best talk, each helping the winner present their work at a conference in their field. You can also send in questions for the funders’ panel in advance.

Writing the abstract? The ISTAART guide to abstracts covers what reviewers look for, and our guest blog on how to sell your conference poster will help you make the most of the day if you’re selected.

Travel and data
Travel is expected to be covered by your own funder where there’s no other way to claim it back, so check with them before booking anything. Your registration details are shared with any UKARFF member you list an affiliation with, and with the selection panel. General questions go to admin@vivensafoundation.org.uk.

Answer every question on the form, as your registration isn’t complete until it’s fully filled in.

Register your interest