Last updated: 28 July 2026, 11:00 CEST
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Grants
IEEE ISMAR 2026 is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment that encourages participation from researchers, practitioners, and students of all identities and backgrounds.
As part of this commitment, eligible participants are invited to apply for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Grant to support their attendance at the 25th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR 2026), taking place in Bari, Italy, from 5–9 October 2026.
Who Should Apply?
DEIA Grants are intended to provide financial support to early-career researchers, including graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as established researchers from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups.
Applicants may include, but are not limited to:
- Women
- People of color
- Indigenous persons
- People with disabilities
- People who identify as LGBTQIA+
- Individuals from developing countries
- Individuals experiencing significant financial hardship
We also encourage applications from researchers based in regions and countries that have historically been underrepresented within the ISMAR community, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and other regions with limited representation.
Eligibility
DEIA Grants are intended to help offset the costs associated with attending IEEE ISMAR 2026.
Applications are welcome from:
- Student researchers who are not presenting work but would benefit academically and professionally from attending the conference
- Authors presenting posters, demonstrations, workshops, tutorials, doctoral consortium contributions, or other accepted ISMAR contributions
- Authors of accepted papers
Priority may be given to applicants who demonstrate both financial need and the potential impact that attending ISMAR will have on their research and career development.
Application Guidelines and Process
Applications must be submitted by 12 August 2026, 23:59 AoE, regardless of the applicant’s location.
Successful applicants will be notified by 24 August 2026, 23:59 AoE.
As the number of available grants is limited, applicants must complete the online application form and provide the requested supporting information, including a brief statement describing:
- Their interest in attending IEEE ISMAR 2026
- How participating in the conference would benefit their academic or professional development
- Why financial support is needed
Data Protection and Retention
Information provided by applicants will be accessible only to members of the IEEE ISMAR 2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee.
Applicants may request that their information be corrected or deleted at any time until 31 December 2026 by contacting deia2026@ieeeismar.net.
After this date:
- Applicants’ narrative responses and institutional affiliations will be deleted.
- Any remaining data will be anonymized and retained only for statistical purposes.
- Anonymized data may be used to help improve DEIA initiatives at future IEEE ISMAR conferences.
Additional Opportunities
Eligible participants are also encouraged to apply for other IEEE ISMAR 2026 community programs, including:
- Student Volunteer Program
- Mentorship Program
These initiatives provide valuable networking opportunities and help newcomers connect with members of the ISMAR community.
Questions?
The DEIA Grants are organized by the IEEE ISMAR 2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee.
For questions about the program or application process, please contact deia2026@ieeeismar.net.