8th International

Jellyfish Blooms Symposium (JBS8)

29th June to the 3rd July 2026

University College Cork campus, Cork, Ireland

About JBS

International Jellyfish Blooms Symposium (JBS) is the recurrent gathering of the global jellyfish research community.

JBS aims to bring together researchers from all over the world to meet, interact and share up-to-date research on the topic, discuss issues, future scenarios and innovations in research, inspire researchers, and develop networks to collaborate. Over the past few decades, scientific interest in jellyfish (gelatinous zooplankton) has grown remarkably.

Ongoing research continues to underscore how extraordinary these organisms are, their remarkable biological plasticity and diversity, their crucial roles in the ecosystems, and the new perspectives they offer for a holistic understanding of aquatic ecosystems functioning. Additionally, jellyfish are displayed in aquariums all over the world, providing inspiration for artists and people due to graceful movements. Jellyfish are also consumed as a delicacy in some places, as well as a source of cosmetic products.

Overview of the symposium

Reception on the evening of Monday 29th June (held in the Aula Maxima, UCC).

Conference talks will run from Tuesday 30th June until Thursday 2nd July (3 days of talks and posters).

All conference talks will take place in the Boole lecture theatre on the main campus of UCC.

Dates to remember

Image by Andre Morandini

Mid Dec 2025 – 30th Jan 2026

Abstract Submissions

December 2025 to 1st June 2026

Registration

Mid-March

Abstract reviewed and applicants notified of their talk

Mid-April

Early registration ENDS

1st June

Final registration

29th June evening

Symposium welcome reception

30th Jun – 2nd Jul 2026

Symposium (talks)

Abstract and Registration

Abstract submission:

Instructions on how to submit abstract

Sign in (or create a new account) with Oxford Abstracts. Once you click on link below to submit abstract you will be directed to Oxford to do this step).
Once you have an Oxford account you can enter your personal details, affiliation/s, co-authors, your abstract title and abstract, keywords, and select your preference of oral or poster presentation. There is an option to preview your abstract.
You can submit straight away or save a draft and submit later.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT ABSTRACT

Image by Ciaran O'Murchu

Conference registration:

Students: €200 (registration only) / €250 (registration + dinner) [early registration €150 and €200]
Researchers/industry: €500 (registration only) / €550 (registration + dinner) [early registration €450 and €500].

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[Registration will require sign-in or registration to Oxford Abstracts]

Student Travel Support

JBS8 will offer limited student travel support.

What may be covered? Cost of registration, accommodation, symposium dinner and cultural excursion.
For how many students? Limited number of students.

We will prioritize supporting students from demographic backgrounds and countries underrepresented in jellyfish bloom science to help cover the costs associated with attending JBS8 in Cork, Ireland.

How to apply for support: Please complete 1) the application form by 14 February 2026, and 2) a 1 page CV, and submit both to jbs8ireland@outlook.com with ‘Student Travel Support’ written in subject line of your email. Awardees will be notified by March 2.

Applicants must have submitted an abstract to apply.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

be the first author on a paper or poster presented at JBS8
be an enrolled graduate student at an accredited academic institution at the time of JBS8
submit a student support application (link)
submit a 1-page CV
have successfully submitted an abstract to JBS8 by the deadline