2026 Call for Workshops and Symposia

Submissions Now Closed

Decisions will be announced in July after completion of external review and
final selection by the ORS Scientific Program Committee.

Workshops

The ORS Scientific Program Committee is seeking workshop applications for the ORS 2026 Annual Meeting, March 27-31, in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a wide variety of topics which represent basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as innovative technologies.

Workshop categories for these 90-minute sessions include the following:

  • Scientific Workshop – cutting-edge musculoskeletal research (i.e., The physical impact of psychological stress in the musculoskeletal system)
  • Science and Technology Workshop – in collaboration with an industry partner (i.e., Leveraging Computational Modeling and Simulation within and beyond an Episode of Clinical Care: What will it take)
  • Crosstalk Workshop – highlighting interactions between clinical and basic approaches to musculoskeletal problems (i.e., A Workshop in Memory of Terrie Cowley: Bridging the Gaps in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Research)

The goals of the workshop are:

  1. To educate our attendees with exciting research novel skills.
  2. To promote collaborative effect approaches to address orthopaedic/musculoskeletal diseases and treatment challenges.

Workshops focusing on multi-omics in musculoskeletal disease, influence of systemic factors/comorbidities on musculoskeletal health, how to measure and target pain, and best practices for rehabilitation/physical therapy are encouraged.

Call for Submissions Now Closed – The deadline to submit your symposium was Friday, May 23.

Decisions will be announced in July after completion of external review and final selection by the ORS Scientific Program Committee.

To help you to guide through the workshop application process we have included some important information and guidelines below:

The goals of the workshop are:

  1. To educate our attendees with about exciting research and novel skills.
  2. To promote collaborative effect approaches to address orthopaedic/musculoskeletal diseases and treatment challenges

We recommend up to two workshop organizers from different institutions. With a minimum of three speakers per workshop. Organizers must be ORS members.

We seek applications from workshop organizers that did not present a workshop at the ORS 2025 Annual Meeting.

Organizers and speakers should be included in only ONE workshop application – this will help to provide the opportunity to other members of the ORS.

We know that some workshop topics would benefit by including a speaker outside the orthopaedic or musculoskeletal field, or someone who may not be a member of the ORS. (One non-member speaker per workshop is allowed) In this case, the Scientific Program Committee will review the suggested workshop speaker(s). Workshop applications need to include ALL names of proposed speakers otherwise they will not be considered. In all cases, the Scientific Program Committee will contact you should there be any concerns.

ORS will provide speakers outside the field or who are not currently an ORS member with travel support to be determined before the final selection of the workshops and in conversation with the workshop organizers.

The workshop application will be evaluated on how well the topic, diversity, gender, institutional and discipline of chosen speakers help to achieve the workshop goals and the mission and vision of the ORS.

Symposia

The ORS Research Council is seeking ideas for Symposia for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, March 27-31, 2026.

ORS Symposia (90-minute sessions)

Symposia are proposed to engage the audience in a dialogue about a hot topic and/or emerging paradigm in orthopaedic science. Topics should bridge basic and clinical research, and integrate academic, health, regulatory and industry perspectives. Designed to be forward-looking.

These symposia could be initiated by the ORS Research Council, Program Committee, Research Sections and Councils and ORS members. Please propose Topics and Speakers for these symposia.

Symposia Application

Intended as a catalyst for the advancement of translational musculoskeletal science by connecting basic scientists within and across the various ORS disciplines. With panels of experts representing basic, translational, clinical, and regulatory perspectives. Seeking Speakers diversity from different institutions, disciplines, and gender.

We know that some symposia/panel discussions would benefit by including a speaker outside the orthopaedic or musculoskeletal field, or someone who may not be a member of the ORS. In this case, the Scientific Program Committee will review the suggested topic speakers.

We encourage you to include a diverse, inclusive group of speakers on your list.
We will require Session Title, Clinical Relevance, a summary of session, and suggested Speakers.
Applications submitted with TBD for speakers will not be considered.

Call for Submissions Now Closed – The deadline to submit your symposium was Friday, May 23.

Decisions will be announced in July after completion of external review and final selection by the ORS Scientific Program Committee.