16-ISABC · Ioannina 2023

Your application questions for ISABC 2023

Applying to an international scientific symposium involves more than completing an online form. Researchers need to align their abstract, author details, funding arrangements and travel plans with the event’s requirements. For the 16th International Symposium on Applied Bioinorganic Chemistry, held in Ioannina, Greece, in June 2023, applicants also needed to understand how participation connected with posters, scholarships, travel awards and scientific recognition.

This interactive Q&A is designed to address the practical questions applicants commonly raise with conference organisers. It focuses on the information published by the University of Ioannina and the role of Zita Congress & Event Management, the official secretariat handling registration, accommodation and abstract-related enquiries.

For Australian researchers, planning required extra care. A delegate travelling from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth had to account for long-haul flights, the time difference between Australia and Greece, and the fact that June is winter in Australia but early summer in Greece. University approval, grant budgets and travel insurance could also affect the application timeline.

The guidance below helps separate scientific preparation from administration. It also shows how to frame a clear enquiry when a requirement is uncertain, particularly for early-career scientists seeking a young scientist travel award, scholarship support or a poster prize.

What should be checked before applying?

Begin with the official symposium information rather than relying on an old call for abstracts, a forwarded email or a colleague’s memory. Confirm the meeting dates, participation categories, abstract instructions and any supporting documents requested for awards or scholarships. The symposium’s committee information can also clarify the scientific structure and relevant contacts through the published symposium committees.

A strong application usually gives organisers consistent information at every stage. The abstract title, author names, affiliations and presenting author should match the registration record. Australian researchers should check how their institution wants international travel documented, including internal approval, risk assessment and evidence required for reimbursement.

When contacting the secretariat, include your full name, institution, application type and a concise description of the issue. Avoid sending several separate messages about the same submission, since a single complete enquiry makes it easier for the administration team to respond accurately.

How can an abstract be made ready?

An abstract should communicate the scientific question, method, principal result and relevance to applied bioinorganic chemistry within the stated word or formatting limits. Avoid using the abstract as a mini literature review. The reader should quickly understand what is new and why the work matters to biological systems, metals, materials, medicine or another relevant area.

Before submitting, ask a supervisor or co-author to check terminology, units, chemical formulae and author order. A researcher in Melbourne might also allow time for an internal faculty review before the Greek deadline, while a laboratory in Perth may need additional coordination with collaborators in Europe or the east coast of Australia.

Presentation preparation should begin once the abstract is accepted. Practising a concise explanation of the project can help with poster discussions and networking, and a resource such as this presentation practice hub may support researchers who want to refine their scientific communication before travelling.

What should applicants ask about awards and scholarships?

Young scientist travel awards and scholarships often involve eligibility rules beyond ordinary registration. Applicants should verify whether career stage, presenting-author status, nationality, institutional affiliation or specific documents are relevant. Do not assume that submitting an abstract automatically enters a researcher into an award category.

A useful enquiry might explain the applicant’s career stage, confirm that they will present the accepted work and ask which evidence must be uploaded. Keep supporting material organised, including a curriculum vitae, letter of support, proof of enrolment or employment and any funding statement requested by the organisers.

For researchers applying through an Australian university, local funding may be divided between a supervisor’s research account, a graduate school allocation and a faculty travel scheme. These sources can have different deadlines and GST or reimbursement rules. Confirm the amount available before committing to flights, accommodation or registration.

Details to confirm with the secretariat

How are poster prizes handled?

Poster prizes recognise the clarity, originality and scientific value of a visual presentation. Applicants should look for instructions covering poster dimensions, orientation, display times and whether the presenting author must remain beside the poster during a judging period.

A competitive poster uses a logical visual hierarchy: a short title, a clear research question, readable figures, limited text and a concise takeaway. Colour choices should remain accessible under conference lighting, and graphs should include labels that can be understood without a lengthy spoken explanation.

Australian delegates should also think about production logistics. Printing a large-format poster in Sydney, Adelaide or Canberra may be easier than carrying one internationally, but local print shops can have different turnaround times and paper specifications. A digital backup, a portable tube and a PDF copy are sensible safeguards.

What happens after an application is submitted?

Keep a record of the submitted abstract, payment receipt, confirmation email and any reference number. If a message does not arrive within the expected period, check spam and institutional filters before contacting Zita Congress & Event Management. Include the original submission details so the secretariat can locate the record quickly.

Questions about accommodation should be treated separately from scientific questions. Ask about booking terms, cancellation conditions, room categories and whether the listed rate includes taxes or breakfast. This is particularly important for Australian travellers budgeting in euros while monitoring exchange-rate movements and university reimbursement limits.

Applicants interested in industry connections can also review the symposium’s sponsor showcase to understand the organisations supporting bioinorganic innovation. Such background can help researchers identify relevant conversations without allowing commercial interests to distract from their scientific objectives.

A clear message can include

An application is strongest when the science is precise and the administration is easy to verify. Review the official ISABC 2023 information, prepare award or scholarship documents early, and send focused enquiries to the appropriate symposium contact. Australian researchers can then approach international participation with a realistic travel budget, a polished abstract and a presentation ready for discussion in Ioannina.