RoboSoft 2026 Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Support Program
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
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 application information. We will update this page once we confirm whether RoboSoft 2026 will be included as an eligible conference.
Registration Discounts
Support is available to IEEE RAS members who are authors of accepted papers or organizers of workshops/tutorials. It typically provides one discount per paper or workshop, equal to 50% of the student early-bird registration fee.
Travel Support
Travel support provides up to $1500 for authors of accepted papers who are IEEE RAS members and will present at the conference. Eligible applicants must be either students or researchers from developing countries. Applications are submitted via the designated form.
