RoboSoft 2026 Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Support Program

We sincerely thank you for applying. The decision has now been communicated to all applicants (Feb. 26, 2026).

The RoboSoft 2026 organizing committee is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible conference environment. To support this goal, RoboSoft 2026 will offer Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) attendance support, which may include discounted or free accommodation and reduced or waived conference registration fees.

In addition, RoboSoft 2026 will host Diversity Spotlight Talks, a dedicated session within the main single-track conference program that highlights researchers and research efforts advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and democratization in soft robotics.

Eligibility

Applicants must fall into at least one of the following categories:

• Early-career researchers or students who would otherwise be unable to attend RoboSoft 2026
• Researchers from underrepresented regions in the soft robotics community (excluding the top 10 most represented countries)
• Members of underrepresented or marginalized communities
• Researchers whose work actively contributes to diversity-related goals in soft robotics (e.g., education, accessibility, reproducibility, democratization, low-cost or open-source platforms)

An accepted RoboSoft 2026 paper is NOT required to apply.

Diversity Spotlight Talks

Selected applicants will be invited to give a Diversity Spotlight Talk, a short presentation integrated into the main conference program and open to all RoboSoft attendees. Speakers selected for Spotlight Talks may be eligible for enhanced D&I support, subject to available funding.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the application form, which includes submission of a CV and brief supporting materials.

Application Form: https://forms.gle/ewp8KuTQicHxdQSC7 (closed)
Application Deadline: February 9, 2026

Due to limited funding, submission of an application does not guarantee support.
For questions, please contact the Diversity Co-chairs through this form: https://forms.gle/nDJY4AC2DPcKMmiRA

IEEE RAS Member Support Program

Please refer to RAS MSP page for general information. If you would like to join IEEE RAS now, please visit the Get Started page.

Registration Discounts

Discounts is available to IEEE RAS members who register for the conference.

Travel Grants

The RAS Travel Grants, as part of the RAS Member Support Program, provides additional support to selected RAS member authors of accepted papers to make travel to the conference more affordable.

Thanks to the generous support of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, applications for travel support are invited, to facilitate authors of accepted papers to the conference. To be eligible, an applicant must be in one of the following two categories:

1. Student Members of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society with accepted papers.
2. Members of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society with accepted papers, from developing countries as determined by the Developing Country Listing.

Important Dates:

• Application deadline: March 13, 2026
• Notification of award: March 20, 2026

Apply via form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEWPLJhnfFrRiCgRDV5sAnUmUsJGhrxi65ISpeFQwzdZuz_w/viewform

Any later applications will not evaluated for travel support.

For addition details and Frequently Asked Questions, please see the RAS MSP page. For questions regarding travel support, please contact: ras-msp@ieee.org. Please use the keywords “RoboSoft 2026 travel grant” in the subject line of your email