USCCN Conference 2026 – From Preservation to Innovation: Connecting Microbial Collections to Advance Science
March 23, 2026
July 31, 2026 - August 1, 2026
Location
Providence, RI, USA
REGISTER NOW Apply for a Travel Stipend
About the Conference
Join us from July 31 to August 1, 2026 at the Providence Convention Center (Rhode Island, USA) for the USCCN Conference “From Preservation to Innovation: Connecting Microbial Collections to Advance Science”, co-located with Plant Health 2026, the annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society.
This conference will bring together collections managers and users, researchers, and industry partners to:
- Share updates on USCCN past, present, and future
- Discuss current challenges and opportunities facing microbial collections
- Highlight success stories and best practices
- Explore collaborations
- Shape the path forward for a sustainable USCCN community
Important Dates
- March 24, 2026 – Registration and travel stipend applications open
- May 1, 2026 – Travel stipend application deadline
- May 15, 2026 – Travel stipend notifications
- June 19, 2026 – Registration cancellation deadline (no refunds after this date)
- July 3, 2026 – Hotel discount booking deadline
- July 31–August 1, 2026 – Conference dates
Registration
Registration fees are in USD.
| Regular Fee* | On-Site Fee** | |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $125 | $150 |
| Professional | $200 | $250 |
*Regular registration available March 24 – July 29, 2026
**On-site registration July 31 – August 1, 2026
Registration includes:
- Coffee breaks (Friday)
- Lunch and networking reception (Friday)
- Transportation & tour of nearby culture collection (Saturday)
Cancellation Policy:
Full refunds available until June 19, 2026 (minus $10 of precessing fees). No refunds will be granted after this date.
Travel Stipend
A limited number of travel stipends ($1,000 each) are available to support conference attendance.
Important: Recipients are responsible for registering for the conference, booking their travel and accommodation, and covering all other expenses upfront. The $1,000 stipend will be provided at the start of the Conference on Friday, July 31.
Eligibility & Review Criteria:
Applications will be reviewed based on career stage, relevance of work to microbial collections, and potential impact on the field.
Application Timeline:
- Applications open: March 24, 2026
- Application deadline: May 1, 2026 – 5:00 PM EDT
- Notifications: May 15, 2026
Draft Agenda (as of March 24, 2026)
Friday, July 31
| Time | Topic / Talk |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Registration and badge pick-up |
| 8:30 AM | Welcome, Introductions and Opening remarks – Dusti Gallagher, USCCN Project Manager U.S. Culture Collection Network Overview |
| 8:45 – 9:30 AM | Session 1: USCCN Then & Now | |
| Keynote – NSF funding and priorities for living microbial collections – Speaker Invited | |
| USCCN 2.0: Structure & original aims & progress – Dusti Gallagher, USCCN Project Manager | |
| 9:30 – 11:45 AM | Session 2: Challenges & Opportunities with Microbial Collections | |
| 9:30 AM | Importance of data provenance and tracking strains to sequence – Jonathan Jacobs, ATCC |
| 9:50 AM | Automated storage and databases – Speaker Invited |
| 10:10 AM | AI & Data – Speaker Invited |
| 10:30 AM | ☕ Coffee Break & Networking |
| 11:00 AM | Panel Discussion – Success Stories: How collections drive measurable scientific impact? Participants:
|
| 11:45 AM – 12:20 PM | Session 3: Mobilizing Collaboration Across Collections | |
| 11:45 AM | U.S. Collaborations – Talk title TBD – Kirk Broders, NRRL |
| 12:05 PM | European Collaborations – Speaker Invited |
| 12:25 PM | 🍽 Networking Lunch |
| 1:30 PM | Keynote: George Colin diCenzo, 2025 Porter Award Winner Rhizobial genomics and taxonomy: An overview of the Canadian Collection of Agricultural Soils |
| 2:15 – 4:45 PM | Session 4: Paving the Way for the Future | |
| 2:15 PM | Overview of the work of the USCCN Strategic & Long-term Planning Committee |
| 2:25 PM | Panel Discussion – Community Thought Leaders |
| 3:45 PM | ☕ Coffee Break & Networking |
| 4:15 PM | Guided Discussion & Q&A – Moderators: David Nobles (SLTP) and Kyria Boundy-Mills (UC Davis) |
| 5:00 PM | Wrap-up & Announcements – Dusti Gallagher |
| 5:15 – 7:15 PM | 🥂 Networking Reception with Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres |
Saturday, August 1
| 8:00 AM | Welcome |
| 8:15 AM | Departure for tours |
| 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Collection Tours | |
Practical Information
The Conference will take place at the
Rhode Island Convention Center
1 Sabin St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Accommodation
The USCCN negotiated a discounted rate for Conference attendees at the Graduate by Hilton Providence, located within walking distance (5 minutes) from the Conference venue.
We encourage you to book early to secure your room as only a limited number of rooms are guaranteed at this rate.
Discounted rate conditions:
- Rate: $209 (excluding state and local taxes)
- Booking should be made before July 3, 2026
To book a room:
- Online: Go to this page
- By Phone: call Hotel Reservations at 401-421-0700, choose Option 1, mention Group Reservation Code #936
Conference Organizing Committee
- Rick Bennett, University of Kentucky
- Edward Dudley, Penn State University
- Dusti Gallagher, USCCN and Phytobiomes Alliance
- Victoria Knight-Connoni, ATCC
- Adam Newman, Ginkgo Bioworks
Questions?
For questions about registration, travel stipend, or the conference program, please contact us.
Registration