1. General Submission Instructions

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Online Submission

Abstracts must be submitted online through the official TTP12 submission platform. Submissions sent by email, post, or any other channel will not be considered.

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• Abstract submission opens: August 2026

• Abstract submission deadline: 31 March 2027

• Notification of acceptance: 30 May 2027

• Presenting author registration deadline: 15 June 2027

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The submitting author is responsible for ensuring that all information provided is accurate and complete. A confirmation email will be sent after successful submission. Authors should ensure that emails from the congress platform and secretariat are not blocked by spam filters.

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Language

All abstracts must be submitted in English.

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Author Responsibility

The submitting author is responsible for the accuracy of the abstract, including author names, affiliations, spelling, grammar, scientific content, and ethical compliance. Abstracts will be published as submitted, and the congress organization will not be responsible for errors introduced by the authors.

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Registration

Payment of the registration fee is not required at the time of abstract submission. However, at least one author must register and pay the congress registration fee by the presenting author registration deadline for the abstract to be included in the final program and abstract book.

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2. Scientific Topics

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Authors must select one primary topic during submission. The Scientific Program Committee reserves the right to reassign abstracts to a different topic if considered more appropriate for the scientific program.

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Abstracts are welcome under the following themes:

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1. Tick Biology, Systematics and Evolution

Tick morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution, physiology, reproduction, development and life-cycle regulation.

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2. Tick Ecology, Distribution and Environmental Change

Tick distribution, habitat suitability, host associations, population dynamics, ecological modelling, climate change, environmental drivers and range expansion.

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3. Tick–Host–Pathogen Interactions and Vector Competence

Tick feeding, host immune modulation, pathogen acquisition, persistence and transmission, host/vector competence, experimental infection models and tick colonies.

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4. Tick-Borne Pathogens, Microbiome and Co-Infections

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and other microorganisms associated with ticks, including pathogen diversity, co-infections, microbiome structure, symbiosis and functional interactions.

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5. Epidemiology, Surveillance, Diagnostics and Risk Assessment

Field surveillance, molecular epidemiology, risk mapping, early warning systems, diagnostics, clinical and veterinary aspects, disease burden and public health preparedness.

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6. Control, Prevention, One Health and Community Engagement

Vaccines, acaricides, biological control, integrated pest management, prevention strategies, One Health approaches, policy, education, stakeholder engagement, citizen science and science communication.

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7. Innovation, Data Science and Emerging Technologies

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive modelling, digital surveillance tools, bioinformatics, omics-based approaches, long-read sequencing, automation, new experimental platforms, data integration and other emerging or unconventional approaches applied to ticks and tick-borne pathogens.

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3. Abstract Structure and Format Requirements

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Abstracts that do not comply with the required structure and format may be rejected without review.

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Abstract Structure

Abstracts should be structured using the following headings:

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• Background: Briefly introduce the scientific context, objective, hypothesis, or problem addressed.

• Methods: Describe the study design, sampling strategy, experimental approach, location, population, laboratory methods, analytical tools, or statistical methods used.

• Results: Present the main findings clearly and specifically. Abstracts should include data whenever possible and avoid vague statements such as “results will be discussed”.

• Conclusions: Summarize the key message, scientific relevance, and implications for tick and tick-borne pathogen research, surveillance, control, or policy.

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Word Limit

• Abstract body: maximum 450 words

• Title: maximum 30 words

• Keywords: up to 3 keywords

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Tables, Figures and Images

Tables, figures and images are not allowed in the abstract submission.

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Formatting

• Use standard fonts and avoid complex formatting.

• Avoid unexplained abbreviations.

• Scientific names must be written in italics where possible.

• Use SI units.

• Trade names should be avoided unless scientifically necessary.

• Abstracts must not include references unless explicitly required by the submission platform.

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4. Abstract Submission Policies

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Originality and Scientific Integrity

Submitted abstracts must represent accurate, original, and ethically conducted work. The congress organization considers plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, duplicate submission without disclosure, and inappropriate authorship to be serious professional misconduct.

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Previously Presented or Published Work

Work that has been previously presented or published may be submitted only if it includes new data, updated analyses, substantially revised interpretation, or a clear justification for presentation at TTP12. Authors must disclose any previous presentation or publication during submission.

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Failure to disclose previous publication or presentation may result in rejection or withdrawal of the abstract.

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Copyright

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted content complies with copyright law. If figures, graphics, or images are not owned by the authors, written permission must be obtained from the copyright holder before submission and publication.

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Ethical Approval

Research involving humans, animals, field sampling, protected species, genetic resources, or sensitive data must comply with applicable ethical, legal, biosafety, and institutional requirements. Authors may be asked to confirm ethical approval, permits, or compliance during the submission process.

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Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any relevant financial, commercial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the work presented.

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5. Review, Selection and Notification

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Review Process

All abstracts will be reviewed by members of the Scientific Committee and/or invited reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Each abstract will be evaluated according to scientific quality, originality, clarity, methodological robustness, relevance to TTP12, and contribution to the field of ticks and tick-borne pathogens.

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Selection

During submission, authors may indicate their preferred presentation format:

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• Oral presentation

• Poster presentation

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Abstracts may be selected for:

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• Extended Oral Presentation / Session Highlight Talk

• Oral Presentation

• Flash Oral Presentation

• Poster Presentation

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A limited number of high-quality abstracts may be selected by the Scientific Program Committee for an extended oral presentation within a thematic session. These presentations are intended to highlight particularly relevant, innovative, or timely contributions to the field, but should not be considered plenary or keynote lectures.

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The highest-scoring abstracts will be considered for oral presentations, subject to programme availability and thematic balance. While authors may indicate their preferred presentation format, the Scientific Program Committee will make the final decision and reserves the right to assign the final presentation format.

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Notification

Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent to the submitting author. The submitting author is responsible for informing all co-authors.

Authors of accepted abstracts will receive detailed instructions regarding presentation format, timing, poster dimensions, upload requirements, and registration deadlines.

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6. Presentation and Publication Details

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Presenting Author

Each accepted abstract must have one designated presenting author. The presenting author must register for the congress by the stated deadline for the abstract to be included in the final programme and Book of Abstracts.

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Abstract Submission Limit

Each registered author may submit up to three abstracts.

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The same author may be listed as co-author on additional abstracts submitted by other registered participants. However, each abstract must have a designated presenting author who is responsible for presenting the work if accepted.

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In-Person Presentation

TTP12 is planned as an in-person conference in Lisbon. Presenters are expected to attend and present live. Pre-recorded presentations will not be accepted unless explicitly authorized by the organizing committee.

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Program Scheduling

By submitting an abstract, authors agree that the presenting author will be available during the congress dates. Requests to change allocated presentation times cannot be guaranteed and will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

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The conference organization reserves the right to change presentation dates, times, rooms, and formats if required by the scientific program.

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Publication of Accepted Abstracts

All accepted abstracts will be published in the official TTP12 Book of Abstracts, provided that the presenting author has completed congress registration by the stated deadline.

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Accepted abstracts may also be made available through the congress website, mobile application, virtual platform, or other official congress materials.

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The final submitted version will be used for publication. Authors are responsible for ensuring that the text is accurate, complete, and suitable for publication.

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7. Early-Career Researcher Awards

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TTP12 will recognise outstanding contributions from early-career researchers through the following awards:

• Best Early-Career Oral Presentation

• Best Early-Career Poster Presentation

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Presenting authors registered under the Student or Postdoctoral Researcher registration categories will be eligible to be considered for these awards.

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Eligibility will be based on the registration category selected by the presenting author. The Organising Committee reserves the right to request supporting documentation confirming student or postdoctoral status, if required.

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Eligible presentations will be evaluated by the Scientific Program Committee and/or appointed reviewers during the conference. Evaluation criteria may include scientific quality, originality, methodological soundness, clarity of presentation, relevance to the field, and ability to communicate the main findings effectively.

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Award winners will be announced during the conference programme.

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Awards may include congress registration support, publication-related support, journal publication waivers or discounts, monetary prizes, or other forms of recognition, depending on the final arrangements with the Organising Committee and sponsors.

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8. Questions

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For questions regarding abstract submission, registration, accommodation, sponsorship, or general congress information, please contact:

TTP12 Conference Secretariat

Email: ttp12lisbon@leading.pt

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