Frequently Asked Questions

For details about the Meeting Costs and the refund policy, please see this page.

  • Early bird Registration runs from 16 September 2025 - 31 January 2026.
  • Regular Registration runs from 1 February - 1 May 2026.
  • Late Registration begins on 2 May 2026.
  • Refund and registration transfer requests must be submitted to meetings@humancellatlas.org prior to 19 May 2026. The Refund and Registration Transfer Policy can be found here. 

If you are traveling from abroad to attend the 2026 HCA General Meeting, check with your institute's travel office or your government embassy or consulate about visa and travel requirements. For information on the United States' visa requirements, click here. 

Our office is happy to provide an official invitation letter to support your visa application. We encourage you to begin the application process early, as processing times can vary depending on your location.

Please email meetings@humancellatlas.org or click the link below to request a visa support letter.

Request a Visa Support Letter

PIs and Trainees currently living in low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank) who plan to attend the 2026 HCA General Meeting in person may apply for a travel stipend during registration. 

HCA has limited funds for travel stipends. We might not be able to provide a stipend for every applicant requesting travel support.

Travel stipend applications are due Friday, 13 February 2026. Applicants will be notified in the weeks to follow if they have been selected to receive a stipend.

Trainees and early-career scientists interested in sharing their work at the 2026 Human Cell Atlas General Meeting can submit an abstract to be considered to give a poster presentation or flash talk when you register.

Poster Submission Requirements:

  • To be considered, you must be an early career scientist (someone who has received their highest degree within the past 5 years or less) or a trainee (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoc).
  • Submit a poster abstract following the guidelines outlined in this template. 

Flash Talk Requirements:

  • To be considered, you must be an early career scientist (someone who has received their highest degree within the past 5 years) or a trainee (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoc).
  • You must also submit a poster abstract to be considered using the guidelines outlined in this template. Those selected to present a flash talk must also present a poster. 
  • Individuals not selected to present a flash talk will still be considered to present a poster.
  • Submit a one-minute (or shorter) video presenting one slide that overviews your scientific project.

You can submit your abstract or video file after registering by modifying your registration or emailing it to meetings@humancellatlas.org. 

Please note, the deadline for abstract and video submissions is Tuesday, 31 March 2026.


Please review the tabs below for answers to some Frequently asked questions. If you still need assistance, please email meetings@humancellatlas.org.
 


Logging in as a registered attendee:

Please note you must be logged into the event site for access to the following: watch live streams or on-demand recordings, modify your registration, access the community page.

  • To log in, please follow these steps:
    • Click the "Sign in" button at the bottom of any page on the event site, or click here.
    • Enter the email you registered with.
    • Enter the password created at registration. 
       
  • Resetting your password:
    • If you have forgotten your password, please click "reset my password" at the bottom of any page on the event site, on the sign in page, or here.
       
  • Modifying your registration:
    • Click the "Modify Registration" button at the bottom of any page on the event site, or here.
       
  • Cancelling your registration:


Watching the live stream
Please follow the instructions below to join the live session.

  1. Go to the Agenda page.
    The agenda page will be available in the coming months. Announcements and event updates will be sent via email to registered attendees and on HCA's official social media pages (located the bottom of the page).
     

  2. Find the session you would like to watch. 
     

  3. Click the “View Session” button.
    • You will be taken to the live session.

    • If you are not signed in yet, you will be prompted to do so.
       

  4. If you join before the session begins, you will be in a waiting room. The page will refresh automatically and bring you into the session once it starts


Participating virtually at the 2026 Human Cell Atlas General Meeting

During live sessions, both in-person and virtual attendees can take part in the Q&A. Virtual attendees can follow these instructions to participate:

  • To ask a question, type it into the Q&A box.

  • An HCA Staff member will assist in communicating your question to speakers and session leaders.

 We encourage all of our attendees to participate in the sessions.  


Watching the On-Demand Recordings

  • Recordings are available about 24 hours after each live session ends.

  • You must be logged into the event site to watch recordings.

  • Use the same steps in tab 2, "watching the live stream," to access recordings.

  • If the On-Demand page looks empty, the video may still be processing.

    • Please allow up to 24 more hours. If the recording is not available after this time, please email meetings@humancellatlas.org. We appreciate your patience.


Additional Technical Troubleshooting (Audio, Video, Screen, Q&A, Chat)
 

If you cannot hear, see, or interact with the session, please try these steps:

  1. Ensure your browser and system are updated.
    1. Use the latest version of a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).
    2. Keep your operating system up to date (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android).
    3. If possible, use a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.
       
  2. Try refreshing your browser.
     
  3. Confirm that your browser has Zoom and camera/microphone permissions enabled.
     
  4. If prompted, rejoin the session using the same link.

If the issue persists, email meetings@humancellatlas.org.