PRC Seminar 2026

The scientific program of the PRC Seminar is shaped by the research community and reflects the work being done by the PRC. Major parts of the program are built on submitted abstracts, ensuring it reflects ongoing research as well as current research priorities, innovation, and emerging evidence in palliative care.

We are proud of our inclusive, supportive, and welcoming ethos, and warmly invite researchers, clinicians, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals working in palliative care to submit their work for consideration.

“A SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM BUILT ON SUBMITTED ABSTRACTS”

All abstracts undergo peer review by the Scientific Committee. The highest-ranked submissions will be selected for oral presentation, and some authors may be invited to deliver keynote presentations.

We aim to offer a high proportion of oral presentations to provide researchers with the opportunity to showcase their work in a constructive and encouraging environment. Abstracts not selected for oral presentation will be invited to present as posters. Dedicated poster tours led by the Scientific Committee will create structured opportunities for discussion and engagement.

Awards will be presented during the seminar for:

• Best Oral Presentation
• Best Poster Presentation

Submission Themes

We welcome submissions that reflect the diversity, innovation, and breadth of research within palliative care, including (but not limited to):

• Health technology and digital innovation
• Symptom and functional assessment and management
• Palliative care models
• Communication and shared decision-making
• European Collaboration
• Education and workforce development
• Implementation science

Original research is encouraged. We also welcome abstracts describing a program of research, a coherent body of work, or doctoral (PhD) research within a specific area.

Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers are especially encouraged to submit.

Abstract Requirements

All abstracts must include:

• Author and co-author names
• Affiliation details (department, institution, country)
• Abstract title
• Abstract text (maximum 250 words)
• Language: English

Submission Process and Key Dates

• Abstracts must be submitted via the online submission portal: SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT HERE
• Submission deadline: 7 June 2026
• Notification of outcome: Mid-July 2026

Registration for the seminar will open soon. All presenters must register to attend the seminar.

We look forward to receiving your submission and welcoming you to the PRC Seminar.

G.W. Hanks Award

The G. W. Hanks Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to palliative care research through scholarly excellence, long‑term commitment, and significant impact on the field.

The European Palliative Care Research Centre is proud to honor Professor Irene J. Higginson with the G. W. Hanks Award and to welcome her as Honorary Lecturer at the PRC Seminar 2026.

Professor Higginson is a globally recognized leader in palliative care whose pioneering research in symptom assessment, outcome measurement, and evidence‑based service development has shaped international standards and influenced clinical practice and health policy worldwide. Her sustained leadership, strong commitment to patient‑centred care, and profound impact on palliative medicine make her an outstanding and highly deserving recipient of this award.

Professor Higginson will deliver the G. W. Hanks Honorary Lecture during the seminar, marking a highlight of the programme.

Keynote Speakers – PRC Seminar 2026

The PRC Seminar 2026 programme is currently under development, with the Scientific Committee working closely with PRC to create a highly engaging and forward-looking programme.

As in previous years, the programme will be largely based on submitted abstracts from researchers across the field of palliative care, reflecting the breadth, quality, and innovation of ongoing work. To complement this, the seminar will feature keynote lectures in each session delivered by internationally recognized experts. Involvement across Europe is important, and the programme will include a dedicated session highlighting collaborative EU-funded projects, showcasing cross-border research initiatives and opportunities for future collaboration.

Full programme details will be announced soon. In the meantime, we are pleased to share a preview of this year’s keynote speakers and sessions below.

Professor Christoph Ostgathe
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany
Session: From Low Tech to High Tech: Researching Technological Innovations for Palliative Care
Keynote presentation: Technology and Palliative Care: A Changing Landscape

Dr Breffni Hannon
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
Session: Innovations in Patient‑Centred Care Models

Keynote presentation: Advance care planning and incorporation into the digital health record

Professor Pål Klepstad
St Olav University Hospital and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Session: Advancing End‑of‑Life Care: New Research and Clinical Practice

Keynote presentation: Findings from the IHOD (InHOspital Dying) study

Professor Sandra Martins Pereira
Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso, Universidade dos Açores, Portugal
Session: Advancing Practice Through Education and Implementation

Keynote presentation: Ethics in the development and implementation of novel interventions in clinical research in palliative care

Dr Paul Howard
Mountbatten Hospice and St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
Session: Symptom Management in Palliative Care

Keynote presentation: Symptom Management in Palliative Care: Needs, Guidelines, and Digital Futures

Preliminary programme coming soon.

Registration for the PRC Seminar 2026 is now open!

We are pleased to announce that registration for the PRC Seminar 2026 is officially open.

For full details and registration, please visit: Research & Innovation: Shaping the Future of Palliative Care – e-oncology

You can select your preferred language (English, Spanish, or Portuguese) using the menu in the upper right corner of the registration page.

Conference fees:

• Early bird registration (until 31 August 2026): €485
• Standard registration (from 1 September 2026): €580

The seminar will bring together international researchers and clinicians in palliative cancer care, offering a unique opportunity to share research, exchange knowledge, and strengthen collaborations across disciplines and countries.

We look forward to welcoming you to Barcelona!