Scientific congresses are much more than a succession of presentations and posters. They are places where ideas meet, collaborations begin, and careers take shape. The conversations you have today may become the research projects, professional opportunities, and scientific partnerships that accompany you throughout your career. Along the way, many of these professional connections will also become lasting friendships.

To help foster these encounters, ECE 2026 offers a series of activities specially designed for Early Career Researchers. Whether exploring biodiversity during a bioblitz, sharing a summer evening by the Loire, discovering the city of Tours, or simply enjoying informal discussions with fellow participants, these moments provide unique opportunities to connect beyond the conference halls.

We invite you to take part, meet your future collaborators, expand your network, and perhaps plant the seeds of scientific adventures that will continue to grow long after ECE 2026 has come to an end.

In addition to these social and networking activities, the main scientific programme also includes several workshops dedicated to career development, research funding opportunities, and European research tools and initiatives. Together, these sessions aim to provide Early Career Researchers with both the professional connections and practical resources needed to support the next stages of their scientific journey.

Tuesday 30th of June – Descartes Theatre
“Launching Your Career in Insect Science: Masters & Doctoral Networks ‒ Master Erasmus Mundus & MSCA Doctoral Networks”

Wednesday 1st of July – Descartes Theatre
“Boosting Your Career in Insect Science: Individual international fellowships ‒ MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships & ERC grants”

Wednesday 1st of July – Room Vouvray
“Careers in insect science – pathways, case studies and inspiring the next generation”

Thursday 2nd of July – Descartes Theatre
“Leading the Future in Insect Science: Collaborative Instruments ‒ MSCA Staff Exchanges, ERC Synergy, EIC Pathfinder…”

Monday & Tuesday

This activity takes the form of a bioblitz, a collaborative biodiversity survey carried out over a short period of time with the aim of recording as many plant and animal species as possible within a defined area. Participants will explore two gardens in Tours, located close to the Loire River, a major ecological corridor renowned for its rich biodiversity. At twilight, a particularly favourable time for wildlife observation, participants will be invited to observe, identify, and record local flora and fauna.

Registration: 15 participants per evening. Participation is free but registration is required, on a first come, first served basis: https://luma.com/uafvlk64

Monday 29^th & Tuesday 30^th of June, 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Location: Île Simon (Monday), Parc Sainte-Radegonde (Tuesday)

Tuesday

As the summer evening settles over the Loire River, join us at La Guinguette for a relaxed and convivial moment in one of the most iconic French summer traditions. Historically, guinguettes were open-air cafés and dance venues along riversides where people gathered to enjoy music, food, conversation, and the simple pleasure of long summer evenings together. Today, the Tours guinguette keeps this spirit alive with its vibrant and informal atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Featuring food, drinks, music, and riverside ambiance, this is the perfect opportunity to continue scientific discussions — or simply enjoy the sunset by the Loire.

Drinks and food: at participants’ own expense

Registration: not required

Tuesday 30^th of  June, 7:00 PM

Location: La Guinguette, la Loire riverbank below Wilson — 1 Place Anatole France, 37100 Tours

Wednesday

Join us for a convivial evening at Le Crafty, a popular gathering spot for local early-career researchers in the heart of Tours. Known for its warm atmosphere, craft beers, and dartboards, this informal evening will offer the perfect opportunity to continue discussions beyond the conference halls and discover a favourite local meeting place of the IRBI community.

Whether you are an experienced darts player or a complete beginner, you may even have the chance to challenge our local IRBI dart champions. Precision, coordination, and competitive spirit — very insect-inspired skills after all.

Drinks and food: at participants’ own expense

Registration: limited to 70 participants. Participation is free but registration is required, on a first come, first served basis: https://luma.com/uafvlk64

Wednesday 1^st of July, 6:15 PM (departure from Vinci) or 7:00 PM (directly at Le Crafty)

Location: Le Crafty, 18 Place de la Résistance, 37000 Tours

Discover Tours through a leisurely walk combining heritage, local craftsmanship, and the lively atmosphere of a traditional French market afternoon. This guided stroll will lead you through some of the city’s iconic landmarks before arriving at two local artisan markets — Place Châteauneuf and Place du Grand Marché — where craftspeople from the Centre-Val de Loire region showcase handmade creations, regional products, and artisanal know-how.

A perfect opportunity to experience the city beyond the conference walls, exchange with local artisans, and enjoy the vibrant rhythm of Tours on a summer Friday afternoon.

We truly hope that beyond discovering Tours, you will also discover a place where you could imagine yourself becoming a genuine Tourangeau or Tourangelle — and perhaps one day joining the IRBI community for future scientific adventures and collaborations. 

Participants may freely visit the markets without registration. Registration is only required for the guided city tour.

Registration: limited to 20 participants (guided tour only). Participation is free but registration is required, on a first come, first served basis: https://luma.com/uafvlk64

Friday 3^rd of July, 3:00 PM (departure from Vinci) or 4:00 PM (Place Châteauneuf)

Location: 16 Rue des Bons Enfants, 37000 Tours (Place Châteauneuf)