2026 RMNP Biennial Research Conference Details

The Basics

When: March 4-5, 2026, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: The Holiday Inn Estes Park
101 S Saint Vrain Ave, Estes Park, CO (Click here for venue information)
Presented by: Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Theme: Park Stewardship: From Discovery to Decision
Registration: No pre-registration required. This conference is free and open to the public.
Call for Abstracts: Open October 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Questions: Please direct all questions to event staff at ROMO_Research@nps.gov

Join Us Virtually!

Select oral presentations will be live-streamed as part of this event. Check back here for timing and topics of virtual presentations, including information on how to join.

Real-time caption (CART) service will be available for virtual presentations through a separate link that must be opened in an additional window. A link for CART services will be available here.

Call for Abstracts

We invite abstract submissions for presentations during 2026 Rocky Mountain National Park Biennial Research Conference. Abstracts are encouraged to address the conference theme: “Park Stewardship: From Discovery to Decision”.

The Biennial Research Conference encourages dialogue and learning among researchers, park staff, collaborators, and the public. We encourage you to present the “So What” of your work. Focus on the resource or management challenge(s) your research addresses, the results, and their connection to park management. Incorporate ways your research can advance resource stewardship, education, and visitor protection.

How to Submit an Abstract

Abstract submissions should be sent to ROMO_Research@nps.gov. Please provide the following information to submit your abstract:

1. Presenter name, title, affiliation, and email address
2. Names, titles, and affiliations of additional authors
3. Presentation title and abstract (300-word limit)
4. Key words (3-4 words or tags that describe your research)
5. Presentation preference (oral, poster, lightning talk; see Other Guidelines)

Other Guidelines and Considerations

General

• Presentations will be open to the public and to the media. Please keep in mind the interdisciplinary nature of the audience when preparing your abstract and presentation.
• Participants may submit more than one abstract. Abstracts must be submitted electronically. The abstract author is responsible for clarity, content, spelling, and grammar. All abstracts will be published in a proceedings document.

Timeline

• All abstracts must be received by December 1, 2025 to ensure consideration.We will confirm acceptance of your abstract, presentation type, and timeslot by mid-January 2026.

Presentation Preference

When submitting your abstract, please indicate your preference for the following presentation type:

• Oral Presentations - Limited to 20 minutes, with maximum of 17 minutes for the talk and 3 minutes for questions.

• Poster Presentations - Posters will be displayed for the duration of the conference. Authors will be stationed by their posters during a dedicated session.

• Lightning Talks - Limited to 5 minutes during a dedicated session.

Due to space limitations for oral sessions, it is likely some submitters who prefer to give an oral presentation will be scheduled to give a poster presentation or lightning talk depending on preference.

Student Travel Grants

Rocky Mountain National Park, in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Conservancy, is pleased to offer $500 travel grants to support student attendance at the 2026 Biennial Research Conference.

All applications must be received by December 1, 2025 to ensure consideration. We will notify selected applicants by mid-January 2026.

Eligibility:

You must be a student currently enrolled in a degree program to be eligible. Your abstract must be accepted for presentation (oral, poster, or lightning talk) at the Biennial Research Conference to be eligible.

How to Submit an Application:

Student Travel Grant Applications should be sent to ROMO_Research@nps.gov. Please provide the following information to submit your application:

1. Applicant name and email address
2. University or college affiliation
3. Type of degree program currently enrolled in (Undergrad, Graduate, Doctoral)
4. Confirmation of abstract submission
5. Amount of other funding or financial support you have secured to attend this event
6. Distance of student travel to event
7. A simple cost break down of conference attendance, including an estimated budget for each aspect of your attendance (e.g. transportation: $100, lodging: $200, food: $50)

Research Conference Events

Oral Presentations

Join us for focused oral presentation sessions where research partners and park staff share their latest work and findings. Each session is organized by theme and features 3-5 presentations of 20 minutes with time for audience questions after.

These sessions provide an excellent opportunity to learn about current research, discover new methodologies, and engage directly with presenters. Whether you're looking to stay updated on developments in a certain field or connect with other professionals, these presentation sessions offer valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Poster Presentations

The poster session offers a relaxed environment to explore diverse research topics at your own pace and engage in one-on-one conversations with presenters.

Move freely between posters, ask detailed questions, and discuss findings directly with researchers. This format encourages deeper discussions and allows you to focus on the work most relevant to your interests. It's an ideal setting for networking, discovering new collaborations, and getting personalized insights into current research.

Conference Proceedings

2026 conference proceedings will be available on this webpage approximately one month in advance of the event.