The Call for Proposals for SER2027 is open, and the Conference Program Committee is inviting symposia and training courses for the 12th World Conference on Ecological Restoration in Lisbon, 30 August to 3 September 2027. The Conference Program Committee reviews proposals on a rolling basis and submissions close on 7 October 2026. Submitting early means an earlier review and acceptance notice, which allows more time to plan the session, confirm speakers, and prepare.
Whether you are convening a symposium or leading a training course, a strong proposal does the same thing: it gives the committee a clear picture of what you will deliver, why it matters to the restoration community, and why it will succeed. Here is what the committee looks for.
The evaluation criteria
Reviewers peer-review every proposal against six core criteria.
- scientific merit, with emphasis on new research results, cutting-edge developments, novel perspectives, and innovative or interdisciplinary approaches;
- clear relevance to the conference theme and its nine thematic series;
- broad applicability for restoration professionals working across different contexts, ecosystems, and geographies;
- a complete, compelling submission;
- integrated treatment of the topic, with individual presentations contributing to an overarching perspective rather than functioning as disconnected case studies; and
- session readiness and feasibility, with a well-structured format, appropriate duration, and confirmed speakers or facilitators.
The strongest proposals are both rigorous and have relevance to a global audience working across many systems.
Selecting a thematic series
SER2027 is organised around nine thematic series, spanning lands, freshwaters, and seascapes, and the bridges between science and practice, knowledge and outcomes, policy and governance, finance, socioeconomic impact, and culture, art, and inspiration.
Selecting the series that best fits your topic helps reviewers see your contribution in context. Across all themes, the committee particularly welcomes contributions that:
- integrate ecological and social dimensions;
- advance standards-based restoration; and
- focus on long-term outcomes.
Symposia: synthesis over individual case studies
Symposium proposals are assessed against two additional criteria, and both reward cohesion. The first is integrated treatment of the topic: the strongest symposia move beyond individual case studies to build a cohesive, overarching synthesis. A clear throughline connecting your four to six presentations, organised around a shared question, is what distinguishes a strong session from a set of loosely related talks.
The second is the likelihood of a successful session, indicated by a high proportion of confirmed speakers. The submission form asks for each invited speaker’s affiliation, location, presentation title, and confirmation status, so it helps to line up your speakers and confirm as many as possible before you submit.
Training courses: practical focus and financial viability
Training courses focus on practical application and professional development, imparting specific skills, knowledge, or methodologies. Held before the conference on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August, they typically run from a half day (no shorter than four hours) to a full day, with two-day courses also considered. Your proposal will include a draft syllabus covering the topics, teaching methods, expected learning outcomes, and duration.
Budget also factors into the review. The committee assesses the estimated cost of offering each course, including any financial support you request, and determines viability against the minimum number of participants needed to cover expenses. A realistic account of what your course needs to run strengthens the proposal.
A complete submission
A complete proposal is itself one of the criteria, so the submission form is worth close attention. It asks for a title (25 words maximum), your chosen thematic series, an abstract of up to 250 words covering your objectives, topics, and relevance to restoration science, practice, or policy, and a one-sentence summary. You will also name a lead organiser and two alternate contacts, and provide a draft programme: a speaker list for symposia, or a draft syllabus for training courses. A focused abstract that states clearly what participants will gain serves you better than one that tries to cover everything.
Practical considerations
All presentations at SER2027 are in person; there is no virtual presentation option, so every presenter will need to be in Lisbon. Proposals must be submitted in English. An individual may submit more than one proposal, which allows a single coordinator to manage submissions on behalf of a larger organisation, provided each proposal names different alternate contacts and features different speakers. Symposium organisers may also propose a training course. Because reviews are rolling, acceptance notices are sent as early as possible, with all notifications sent by 2 December 2026.
We look forward to seeing what you bring to Lisbon.
Questions? Contact worldconference@ser.org.
