Abstract deadline is August 3 at 5:00pmET

Instructions -  clear instructions are included within the submission form.  You will be able to enter and edit your abstract as often as you wish, but you must complete and submit it by August 3, 2026 at 5:00pmET.  Your title should not be longer than 250 characters and the abstract has a 1,750 character limit (including spaces and punctuation).  Although you can copy and paste from Word, some of your formatting may be lost, so please review.  Our system will provide you with a preview of your abstract (as it will appear in the program app) - be sure to use it to check for accuracy.

Platform Sessions - each concurrent session will incorporate abstracts.  If you would like to be considered for a short talk (ten-minute presentation with five-minute Q&A), please be sure to indicate your presentation preference as Oral. Please note - because there are a limited number of slots available, choosing an oral preference does not guarantee that you will be chosen for an oral presentation.  Abstracts not chosen for oral sessions will be programmed as posters.

Travel Awards - if you are a trainee (student, postdoc or equivalent) member of NAVBO or MCS you are eligible for a travel award if you are submitting an abstract.  Please be sure to respond to the additional questions in the submission form specifically for the travel award application. More information about NAVBO's Travel Awards can be found here - click the Travel Awards-VB2026 tab.  For information on trainee awards from The Microcirculatory Society click here.

Additional opportunities for Trainees - within the submission form you will be asked if you'd like your abstract (if programmed as a poster) to be considered for the monthly InFocus Sessions.  Also, be sure to indicate that you would like to be considered for the poster award competition should your abstract be programmed as a poster.

The meeting organizers reserve the right to reject any abstract. Abstracts are expected to pertain to an aspect of vascular biology and be of at least graduate school level (undergraduate students are eligible to submit abstracts). 

Topics - 
Angiogenesis
Atherosclerosis
Bioengineering
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cerebrovascular Health and Disease
Cell Biology and Signaling
Development
Disease (non-cardiovascular)
Endothelium in Health and Disease
Inflammation
Lymphatic Biology
Lymphatic Development
Matrix Biology
Mechanobiology and Mechanotransduction
Metabolism and Metabolic Diseases
Microcirculation
Omics
Regenerative Medicine
Tumor Biology
Vascular Anomalies and Malformations
Vascular Function in Health and Disease
Other Vascular Biology

Submit your abstract

Vascular Biology 2026 will feature several themes relevant to the vascular biology community: development, genetics, inflammation, matrix biology and bioengineering, mechanotransduction, microcirculation, and vascular malformations.  This is your opportunity to reach scientists in a variety of disciplines: cell biology, bioengineering, signal transduction, developmental biology, matrix biology, physiology, cardiology, pathology, molecular biology, to name a few, and gain added visibility for your organization by choosing from our wide array of support opportunities.

If you wish to support the meeting, please contact Mitzy Cowdin at mitzy@navbo.org

Diamond Partner  Host the Welcome Reception on October 18, for a contribution of $20,000. In addition to the benefits received by our Strategic Partners (see below), your organization will receive complimentary exhibit space (up to two booths), a banner ad on the NAVBO website for two years, will be featured on the home page of our mobile event app, receive acknowledgement on exclusive signage at the Reception, and a complimentary full page ad on the inside cover of the Summer Newsletter.

Platinum Partner (contribution of $15,000) will be named as the sponsor of one of our poster session receptions and will receive all the benefits received by our Strategic Partners plus a complimentary exhibit booth, a banner ad on the NAVBO web site for one year, a full page ad in our upcoming Newsletter, and additional signage at the meeting.

Gold Partner (contribution $10,000 to $14,999) will obtain the benefits associated with a Strategic Partner, plus a full-page ad in our upcoming Newsletter, a banner ad on our web site for nine months, and be listed as a Gold Partner on meeting signage.  In addition, a Gold Partner may choose to support a particular session and be recognized as a Supporter of that session in the meeting program (mobile app).

Strategic Partner (contribution $5,000 to $9,999) will receive acknowledgement on all promotional materials, newsletters and the meeting web site, and at the meeting in signage, slides, and a banner ad on the NAVBO web site for six months.*  You will also receive a complimentary half-page ad in an upcoming Newsletter. A Strategic Partner may choose to support a particular refreshment/coffee break and be acknowledged for this onsite.  You may add a pdf insert to our “virtual conference bag.”

Event Partner (contribution $2,500-$4,999) will receive acknowledgement on promotional materials, the web site,  signage, and the newsletter.*  You may add a pdf insert to our “virtual conference bag.”

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Partners may choose to reserve complimentary exhibit space in the poster sessions for exhibiting products or literature. NAVBO staff can set up and maintain your booth.  If a representative is sent to tend the space, their registration fee will be waived; however, all travel and lodging expenses will be the responsibility of the “partner.” This representative will be permitted to attend all sessions, breaks and receptions.

Contributor For educational grants up to $2,499, an organization will be recognized as a “Contributor” and will be
acknowledged as such on promotional materials, the meeting web site, and in the newsletter.*

Literature Table ($500 for one 6’ draped classroom table, no signage provided)
Displays will be set up near the session area and are available to non-profit organizations, government agencies and academic or medical institutions only.

For all contributors and partners:
If you choose, your organization’s logo, in addition to its name, may be included on above mentioned promotional
materials.   Names (or logos) of partners will have a link to the organization’s web site from our web site.

No sponsor or partner may have influence in the programming of this meeting.

* Acknowledgement is contingent upon funding being received prior to production of any printed piece and must be confirmed by October 1, 2025, to assure recognition in the final Program.

If you have any questions, please contact Bernadette Englert at (301) 760-7745 or via email at bernadette@navbo.org

Thank you for your support

The meeting will take place at the Asilomar Conference Grounds
800 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA
https://visitasilomar.com

A room block has been reserved for our group.  Your lodging at Asilomar will include the following meals - dinner on the night of your arrival through breakfast on the day of your departure.  We recommend you arrive on Sunday, October 18 for the Opening Session and stay through to 8:30am on Thursday, October 22 for the final group breakfast.  Including taxes (subject to change) and fees, the Single occupancy is $320.18 per night/Double occupancy is $214.47 per night (plus a $20 one-time processing fee). We hope to have a link to our group soon.

Asilomar will assist you in finding a roommate - Select "Shared Room-Double Occupancy" and specify "1" Guest. The room type will be Private Room for 2.

If you are planning to stay with a colleague and you are paying separately, specify their name under "Requests" in the Guest Information section of the reservation form.

Make your reservations by 5:00pmPT on September 16.  Any rooms remaining in our block will be released to the public on September 17.

Cancellation Policy for Asilomar:
A full refund, less a service charge of $100 per person, is given for cancellations received by 5:00pmPT on September 16, 2025. Regrettably, no refunds can be made for cancellations received on or after September 17, 2026.

Meals:
If you are not staying at Asilomar but would like to have meals with other attendees, you can pre-purchase meal tickets when registering for the meeting.

• Sunday Dinner - $50
• Dinners (Mon-Wed) - $150
• Lunches (Mon-Wed) - $115
• Breakfasts (Mon-Thurs) - $120

Childcare Grants

Small grants up to $500 per family are available for meeting attendees who are bringing young children to a meeting or who incur extra expenses for childcare during the meeting. Grants are available for Vascular Biology 2026.

Apply Online

To apply, complete the online childcare grant application by the deadline of August 31, 2026.

Child Care Grant Application

Allowable Expenses: 

• Child care expenses at the site of the meeting*
• Extra child/dependent care expenses at home incurred because the primary caregiver was attending the meeting (such as overtime at a child care center, cost of a sitter, etc.)
• Expenses incurred in bringing a caregiver and/or dependent

*NAVBO does not provide or recommend child care providers and does not assume responsibility or liability for child care services of any sort. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) or guardian(s) to thoroughly investigate all child care providers.

Receipts for all expenses are required and you will receive your reimbursement once receipts are submitted after the meeting.

Unallowable Expenses:

• Regular home-based child/dependent care expenses
• Travel or other expenses related to the attendee’s participation in the meeting (including meeting registration, meals, travel to the meeting, or other expenses the attendee would already be incurring by attending the meeting)
• Food
• Tickets to local museums, amusement parks, etc.

Selecting Grants

If the number of requests for grants exceeds the funding, preference will be given to applicants in the early stages of their careers.

Application Misrepresentation

NAVBO reserves the right to deny funds to applicants who misrepresent their funding needs.

Changes in Circumstances

If the need for your grant changes between when you applied and the date of the Meeting, you must notify NAVBO to explain. You will be notified if your need is still eligible for funding.

Baby Sitting Services

Childcare services are available through Art on Wheels.  This group can come to Asilomar or you can opt to bring your child to their facility.  Please visit their web site for more details:  https://www.artonwheelsmontereykids.com/ or call them at 831-403-9192 and speak to Nicole McCauley. Parents/guardians must make all arrangements directly with Art on Wheels; NAVBO will not be responsible for or involved in any of the arrangements. You can, however, apply for a childcare grant to help cover the cost of this service.

The North American Vascular Biology Organization does not endorse this service.  It is the meeting participant's responsibility to verify the appropriateness of the service and make reservations.

NAVBO and MCS will offer Travel Awards for students and postdocs.  Details and the application are within the abstract submission system.  You must submit an abstract to be eligible.

We will also hold a poster award competition.  Those who receive a travel award will not be eligible for the poster award.

Childcare grants will also be available - more details will be available in January 2026.

For International Travelers to NAVBO Meetings

NAVBO is happy to help you in acquiring a Visa in order to facilitate your attendance at one of our meetings by issuing a letter of invitation, however, the following is required:

Prior to receiving a letter of invitation, each individual requesting an invitation letter must first register and pay for the conference. Conference registration fees are refundable (less the designated processing fee) if the visa application is denied. The refund request must be received in writing.

Once the payment has been received, requests for Letters of Invitation should be addressed by email directly to Bernadette Englert at bernadette@navbo.org. Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must email a separate request.

A letter of invitation is issued solely for the purpose of assisting participants with visa applications. Such a letter does not imply any financial obligation on the part of NAVBO. All expenses incurred in relation to the meeting are the sole responsibility of the attendee(s).

Please note that we cannot guarantee that you will receive a visa. The decision to grant visas is at the sole discretion of the Embassy or Consulate offices. NAVBO will not be able to contact or intervene with Embassy or Consulate offices on your behalf. NAVBO cannot change the decision of the Embassy or Consulate offices should your application be denied.

The following information is required before a letter of invitation can be issued:

Your CV (curriculum vitae or resume)
Name as it appears on your passport
Title/Position (Professor, graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, etc.)
Institutional address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Personal Street Address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Email
Passport number
Date of issuance
Date of expiration
Place of issue
Date of Birth
Place of birth
Nationality

You should also indicate briefly why you want to attend the conference.

All letters of invitation are generic in nature and will be signed and sent in PDF format that can be printed by the requester(s). No mailed (postal) letters of invitation will be sent. Due to the costs involved, we cannot send letters of invitation via express mail services.

It is the traveler's responsibility to check and confirm current visa requirements to enter the United States. To see if you require a visa, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wizard.html. NAVBO cannot be held responsible for travelers who do not confirm their visa requirements or who do not obtain the appropriate paperwork for travel to the conference.

For additional information regarding traveling in the United States, consult https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html or http://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/visit-united-states.

Another helpful page is https://www.insuremytrip.com/research/us-travel-visa-information/ - please note we are NOT endorsing the services of Insure My Trip.

This procedure is intended to assist participants who need to obtain a visa to attend the conference and is not an official invitation covering fees and/or any other expenses or financial support for attendance. NAVBO does not assume responsibility for the outcome of your visa application.

Anti‐Harassment and Code of Conduct Policy

The North American Vascular Biology Organization is dedicated to providing a harassment‐free conference experience for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, physical appearance, body size, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to sex, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion or other areas of intimidation
• Sexual images in public spaces
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Harassing photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.

Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event‐related social activities.

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to any NAVBO staff person. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. You can make a report either personally or anonymously.

Reporting and Resolution

Any violation of this policy should be reported. If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bullying, you are encouraged to make your unease or disapproval known to the individual at the time the incident occurs, but only if you are comfortable doing so. You are also urged to report any incident by:

• Filing a complaint with Bernadette Englert, the NAVBO Executive Officer (bernadette@navbo.org) or Sharon DeRosa Smolen, NAVBO Education Coordinator (sharon@navbo.org)
• You may also file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) by visiting their web site: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

Complaints should be filed as soon as possible after an incident. To ensure the prompt and thorough investigation of the complaint, the complainant should provide as much information as is possible, such as names, dates, locations, and steps taken. The Executive Officer will investigate the alleged violation.

Please note that filing a complaint with the conference organizer(s) is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and that seeking assistance from the conference organizer in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR as well. If a participant has concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences, you can also notify NIH. See the information on this web page: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment/find-help.htm

If an investigation results in a finding that an individual has committed a violation, the organizers will take the actions necessary to protect those involved in its activities from any future discrimination, harassment, or bullying, including in appropriate circumstances the removal of an individual from the current activity and a ban on participation in future activities.

Photography within sessions is STRICTLY PROHIBITED

You may not record, photograph or capture in anyway, slides projected on screens or posters on display.