MicroTAS 2026 "Showcase Your MicroTAS Abstract" Video Contest - Submission Preparation Instructions

Thank you for participating in the MicroTAS 2026 Video Contest!

Motivation
MicroTAS is a highly interdisciplinary community, bringing together researchers working in microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip, lab-on-a-chip systems, microphysiological systems, sensors, actuators, and micro- and nanotechnologies.

The goal of this contest is to showcase exciting research that belongs at MicroTAS and to broaden the community by reaching MSc students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists in related fields who may not yet see MicroTAS as "their" conference.

Whether you already are or you would like to be part of the MicroTAS community, this is your opportunity to show how your work fits into, and benefits from, this community.

Participants in this contest are invited to create a short, engaging video that highlights their research, inspires others, and emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of MicroTAS.

This document provides step-by-step instructions for preparing and submitting your video.

1. Eligibility
This contest is open to early-stage researchers, including:

• MSc students
• PhD students
• Junior researchers / pre-doctoral researchers
• Postdoctoral researchers

2. Eligible Research Content
You may submit a video based on:

• Research presented at MicroTAS 2024 or 2025, or
• Research not previously presented at MicroTAS, provided that:
  • You believe it clearly belongs within the MicroTAS scope, and
  • You intend to submit this work as an abstract to MicroTAS 2026.

3. Provided Materials
Participants will be provided with two versions of the contest intro and closing materials:

PowerPoint format (PPTX):
Intro slide
Closing slide
Template
Example

Video format (MP4):
Intro clip
Closing clip
Example

You may choose whichever format best suits your workflow.

4. Video Requirements
Duration
Your own video segment: maximum 45 seconds
Total video duration (Intro + Your Video + Closing): must not exceed 60 seconds

Creative Freedom

• Your video may include (but is not limited to):
  
• Animated or graphically designed content
• A recording of yourself explaining your research
• Lab footage
• A combination of formats

Original, dynamic, and engaging content is strongly encouraged.

5. Creating Your Final Video
Option A - Using the PowerPoint Template

• Open the provided PowerPoint template (Template Video Contest.pptx).
• Insert your video into Slide 2 ("Your video").
• Do not modify Slides 1 and 3.
• Go to File → Export → Create a Video.
• Export and save the file as an MP4.

This MP4 file is your final submission.

Option B - Using Your Own Video Editing Software

• Create your own video segment (maximum 45 seconds).
• Place the Intro clip at the beginning.
• Insert your video segment.
• Add the Closing clip at the end.
• Export the full sequence as a single MP4 file.

6. Technical Requirements
Before submitting, ensure that:

• Audio plays correctly
• No visual elements are cut off
• Total duration is under 60 seconds

7. Co-authorship recognition
It is strongly recommended to include in the video the complete list of authors involved in the showcased research. As illustrated in the example video, this may be done by including a screenshot of the poster or of the abstract where the title and full list of authors are clearly visible. Other forms of recognition are also welcome, provided that all contributors are properly acknowledged.

8. Submission
Submission Period
Opens: February 2, 2026
Deadline: March 20, 2026 (end of day, anywhere on Earth)

How to Submit:
Send your final video file by email to: ShowcaseResearch.MicroTAS2026@gmail.com
Include in your email:

• Full name
• Affiliation
• Career stage
• Abstract ID (if applicable)
• A short description of the research (optional but encouraged)

File Naming Format:
To ensure consistent handling of submissions, all video files must be named using the following format:
DATEOFSUBMISSION - AUTHORLASTNAME - INITIALS - SYRC - MicroTAS2026
Where:

• DATEOFSUBMISSION = YYYYMMDD
• AUTHORLASTNAME = last name of the submitting author
• INITIALS = initials of the submitting author's given names
• SYRC = Showcase Your Research Contest

Example: 20260215 - Xavier - MX - SYRC - MicroTAS2026.mp4

9. Prizes
A total of up to eight (8) prizes will be awarded
(subject to the number and quality of submissions).
Each prize consists of a free registration to MicroTAS 2026, to be held in Granada, Spain (18 - 22 October 2026).

10. Questions & Contact
For questions or technical support, please contact:
MicroTAS via LinkedIn or Instagram, or email Sara Stearns at info@microtas2026.org