New England Science Symposium

Established in 2002, the New England Science Symposium (NESS) provides a forum for postdoctoral fellows; medical, dental and graduate students; post-baccalaureates; college and community college students from across the United States to share their biomedical and health-related research activities through oral or poster presentations, engage in discussions related to career development in the sciences, exchange ideas, and expand their professional networks.

The 25th annual New England Science Symposium will be held during the BSCP Student Conference - NESS Summit Weekend on April 4, 2027 following the BSCP Student Conference April 2 and 3. Applications for the NESS will open fall 2026. 

Check out the Resources and Guidance page to help you prepare an abstract or presentation.

Have questions about NESS? See our Frequently Asked Questions and Eligibility Checklist page.

Virtual Abstract Feedback Session

This is an annual virtual prep session designed for individuals who wish to receive feedback on their abstract from advisors and peers before submitting it in application to NESS. The meeting will be set up in small groups of students and advisors, where students will give a 2- to 4-minute elevator pitch to the group. Participating in this session is not required, nor does it guarantee acceptance to NESS.

The date and applications for the 2026 Virtual Abstract Feedback Session will be announced in the fall.

Awards

Awards are given for outstanding oral and poster presentations in various disciplines and the categories are: Ruth and William Silen, M.D. Awards, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Awards, Postdoctoral Awards sponsored by Vertex, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Department of Neonatology Award, TACS BIO Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Award , American Cancer Society Awards, Predicine Translational Research Award, and Health Equity Awards.

Sponsors

Harvard Medical School Office for Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE)

The Harvard Medical School Office for Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE) sponsors programs for the development of Harvard Medical School faculty and trainees, with an emphasis on mentoring and leadership, as well as programs that are designed to reach out to the pre-college, college, graduate and postdoctoral populations with the goal of bringing outstanding students into the biomedical science pipeline.

Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP)

The Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) provides students of every race, ethnic background, gender, and financial status with the encouragement, support, and guidance needed for the successful pursuit of biomedical science and other science-related careers. Participants range from high school to postdoctoral level and attend from all 50 states and many countries. 

Supporter

Vertex

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Vertex discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, the company has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases.