ABIC is proud to announce the 4th Annual ABIC Community Meeting taking place in Cairo, Egypt on 28 - 29 October 2025. 

​

Venue: The American University in Cairo, Egypt

​

The ABIC Community Meeting is a gathering of Africa’s microscopists, biologists, data scientists, and science community developers for a 2-day event focused on empowering fundamental biology research in Africa. This annual meeting provides a platform for the community to share not only their work and research, but also their experiences, challenges, and visions. Through discussion and brainstorming sessions, the meeting aims to strengthen community ties, identify new avenues of action and advocacy, and facilitate dialogue with funders, policymakers, and commercial partners.

 ​​

Who can attend?

Any member of the bioimaging and microscopy community in Africa is eligible to attend the event in-person. However, there is a maximum venue capacity of 40 people and registration will be based on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Additionally, a number of sessions will be streamed online for participation by those who are unable to attend in-person.

​

The meeting is open to all members of the bioimaging and microscopy community in Africa - imaging scientists, analysts, core facility staff, post-graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, PIs, facility directors, staff scientists, as well as funders and policy makers.

​

Am I a member of the bioimaging community in Africa?

We consider any scientist in Africa who answers yes to any of the following questions a member of our community:

• Are you passionate about empowering African researchers?

• Do you want to find sustainable approaches to making microscopy more impactful in African life science research?

• Do you believe microscopy and imaging can play a larger role in African research?

• Are you excited by opportunities to use microscopy in your research?

​

What will the meeting be about?

The theme for 2025 Community Meeting is "Infrastructure & Access - the benefit of shared research infrastructure and core facility models in Africa". The theme aims to address ways of optimising and sustaining the available infrastructure, while finding opportunities to bridge the current infrastructure & expertise gap on the continent. 

 

There will be a limited number of travel fellowships available that will cover the full cost of air travel and accommodation during the meeting for attendees from anywhere in Africa, on a competitive application basis. Travel sponsorships will be prioritised for individuals who actively contribute to ABIC and the greater research community in Africa. Key sessions of the community meeting will be made available online in a hybrid meeting format, for those who cannot attend in person.

​

Due to ABIC's aim to ensure sustainability of these meetings, the 2025 will have a small registration fee for all in-person participants coming from outside of Egypt. The registration fee covers the cost of participating in the community meeting and includes tea breaks and lunch on each day of the meeting, as well as the celebration dinner. The registration fee does not cover transport and accommodation to attend the meeting. The aim of charging a registration fee is to ensure that we are able to continue hosting these important annual meetings even in the face of the changing funding landscape. We do not want the registration fee to be a barrier for attendance so we have priced it as low as possible while still ensuring hosting costs are covered. 

 

The registration fee is as follows:

• Delegates from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): $25 

• Delegates from high-income countries: $50

 

Once your registration has been received, we will revert to you with the payment details for the registration fee for in-person attendance. In-person registration is only confirmed once proof of payment of the registration fee is received. 

 

There is limited seating for local and international in-person attendance. If you are keen to attend in-person, please register as soon as possible. 

 

ONLINE ATTENDANCE IS FREE-OF-CHARGE. 

​

TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

 

General in-person and/or online registrations will open on: 14 July 2025​​​

​

Visa letter application deadline: 4 August 2025 (for Non-Egyptian delegates wishing to attend in-person that require a VISA letter. Not including those who have been awarded the travel grant)

Registration deadline for in-person attendance (for those not requiring a VISA letter): 28 August 2025

 

Registration deadline for online attendance: 13 October 2025

​

A full meeting program will be provided closer to the time. ​​​​

​