4th International Symposium on Advances in Algal Research (AAR 2026)

🌿 Redefining Phycofactories: Algal innovation for sustainable development

CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, India

3–4 Nov 2026

Abstracts: 1 May – 30 Aug 2026

Reg: 15 Sep –15 Oct 2026

Download Abstract Template and send to aar2k26@gmail.com

Download AAR 2026 Poster Template for your presentation

Jointly hosted by

Symposium tracks

1. Wastewater Valorization and Resource Recovery Using Algae

2. Carbon Capture, Climate Mitigation, and Blue Economy Applications

3. Algal Bioenergy and Biofuels: Pathways to Commercialization

4. Algal Biorefineries and Circular Bioeconomy Models

5. Algae for Food and Nutritional Security

6. Algae-based feeds for sustainable aquaculture and livestock

7. Synthetic Biology, Genomics, and Next-Generation Algal Platforms

8. Bioprocess Engineering and Scale-Up of Algal Technologies

9. Smart Algae: AI, Machine Learning, and Predictive Modelling in Algal Systems

10. From Innovation to Impact: Policy, Markets, and Global Partnerships in Algal Technologies

Organising committee

Patron

Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi

Director General, CSIR & Secretary DSIR

Symposium Chair

Dr. S. Venkata Mohan

Director, CSIR-NEERI Nagpur

Symposium Chair, AAR Symposium Series

Dr. Kaustubha Mohanty

Professor, IIT Guwahati

Co-Chair

Dr. K. Krishnamurthi

Scientist-G & Head, EHT, CSIR-NEERI

Convenor

Dr. Amit P. Bafana

Scientist-F, CSIR-NEERI

Convenor

Dr. Pravin K. Naoghare

Principal Scientist, EHTD, CSIR-NEERI

Co-Convenor

Dr. Satya Sundar Mohanty

Assistant Professor, Karunya Institute, Coimbatore

Advisory Committee

Prof. Anushree Malik

Professor

IIT - CRDT, Delhi

Prof. R. Vinu

Professor

IIT Madras

Prof. K. M. Poluri

Professor

IIT Roorkee

Prof. Yen Wah Tong

Professor

NUS, Singapore

Prof. Thanh Bui Xuan

Associate Professor

HCMUT, VNUHCM, Vietnam

Prof. Kit Wayne Chew

Assistant Professor

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Prof. Sang-Hyoun Kim

Professor

Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Prof. Vaibhav V Goud

Professor

IIT Guwahati

Dr. Nilotpala Pradhan

Senior Principal Scientist

CSIR-IMMT, Odisha

Dr. Sabeela Beevi Ummalyma

Assistant Professor

RCSS, Kochi

Speakers

AAR 2026 brings together leading algal researchers and innovators from across the globe.

Prof. Kit Wayne Chew

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Dr. Reeta Rani Singhania

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

Prof. Thanh Bui Xuan

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam

Prof. Anushree Malik

IIT Delhi

Prof. Krishna Mohan Poluri

IIT Roorkee

Prof. R. Vinu

IIT Madras

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Prajapati

IIT Roorkee

Dr. Nilotpala Pradhan

CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar

Dr. Monika Prakash Rai

MNNIT Allahabad

Dr. Paramasivan Balasubramanian

NIT Rourkela

Dr. Prangya Ranjan Rout

NIT Jalandhar

Dr. Mahesh Kumar

CSIR

Dr. Dinesh Kumar R

CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar

Dr. V. Veeragurunathan

CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar

Dr. Sourish Bhattacharya

CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, Gujarat

Dr. Gunjan Prakash

Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai

Dr. Pavan Jutur

DBT-ICGEB, New Delhi

Dr. Shashi Kumar

DBT-ICGEB, New Delhi

Dr. Amritpreet Kaur Minhas

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi

Dr. Shailendra Pratap Singh

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Dr. Amit Kumar Bajhaiya

Central University of Tamil Nadu

Dr. Mona Sharma

Central University of Haryana

Dr. Nirmal Renuka

Central University of Punjab

Prof. Rajagopal Subramanyam

University of Hyderabad

Dr. Soumya Sasmal

Visva-Bharati, West Bengal

Dr. Nitin Trivedi

Gujarat Biotechnology University

Dr. Sangram K. Lenka

Gujarat Biotechnology University

Dr. Sabeela Beevi Ummalyma

RCSS, Kochi

Dr. N.S. Sampath Kumar

Vignan University, Guntur

Dr. Anjani Devi Chintagunta

Vignan University, Guntur

Dr. Rajasri Yadavalli

Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad

Dr. Manupati Hemalatha

KL University, AP

Dr. Jibu Thomas

Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Coimbatore

Dr. Kalyan Gayen

NIT Agartala

Dr. Rishiram Ramanan

Central University of Kerala

Dr. G. Venkata Subhash

Reliance Industries Ltd, Mumbai

Dr. Balendra Singh

DBT

Dr. Sachitra Kumar Ratha

CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI)

Dr. Datta Madamwar

Charotar University of Science and Technology, Gujarat

Dr. Linh-Thy Le

Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University, Vietnam

Dr. Shireesh Srivastava

DBT-ICGEB, New Delh

Sponsorship Opportunities

Partner with AAR 2026 and gain exceptional visibility among the global algal research community.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact us at aar2k26@gmail.com

Sponsor

Important dates & fees

3–4 Nov

Conference

Main symposium

1 May, 2026

Abstract Submission Starts

until 30 Aug 2026

15 Sep

Registration opens

closes 15 Oct

15 Oct

Deadline

registration closes

Registration fees

National

Category	Fee (₹)
Student / PostDoc	5,000
Faculty / Scientist	7,000
Industry	12,000
Registration Fee Inclusive of 18% GST.

International

Category	Fee ($)
Student / PostDoc	200
Faculty / Scientist	300
Industry	400

Registration is now open! Click here for registration

Registration closes 15 Oct 2026.

Recognising Excellence · AAR 2026 Awards

Submit nominations / applications by 15 October 2026 to aar2k26@gmail.com

🏆 Mid‑Career Researcher Award

₹ 15,000 & (Certificate + Memento)

Eligibility: PhD before 31 Dec 2016, below 50 yrs, permanent position at any Academic and R&D organizations as well as Industry.

Sustained research excellence & translational impact. Self‑nominations accepted, endorsed by an accomplished algal researcher researcher (other than PhD/Post-Doc mentor) as a proposer/nominator.

Presented 3 Nov 2026 at inaugural session. Winner must register & give oral presentation at AAR 2026.

Download application (Mid‑Career)

🌟 Early Career Researcher Award

₹ 12,000 & (Certificate + Memento)

Eligibility: PhD before 31 Dec 2021, below 40 yrs, permanent position.

Creativity and impact of the researcher in the early stages of their independent career along with service to the algal research community will be the primary criteria for the award. Self‑nomination accepted, endorsed by an accomplished algal researcher researcher (other than PhD/Post-Doc mentor) as a proposer/nominator.

Presented 3 Nov 2026 at inaugural session. Winner must register & give oral presentation at AAR 2026.

Download application (Early Career)

🌱 Emerging Researcher Award

₹ 10,000 & (Certificate + Memento)

Eligibility: PhD before 31 Dec 2023, below 35 yrs (PhD or post‑doc phase).

Creativity and impact of the researcher will be the primary criteria for the award. Self‑nomination accepted, endorsed by an accomplished algal researcher researcher (other than PhD/Post-Doc mentor) as a proposer/nominator.

Presented 3 Nov 2026 at inaugural session. Winner must register & give oral presentation at AAR 2026.

Download application (Emerging)

📜 Best Masters/PhD Thesis Award

Cash prize & (Certificate + Memento)

Eligibility: Thesis defended between 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sep 2026 in any area related to algae.

Required: extended abstract (2‑3p), thesis PDF, proof of acceptance, supervisor recommendation.

Presented 3 Nov 2026 at inaugural session. Winner must register & give oral presentation at AAR 2026.

Download application (Thesis)

🎤 Best Oral / Poster Presentations

Certificate + Cash prize

At least six awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations during AAR 2026.

Winners announced at valedictory session of AAR 2026 (4 Nov 2026).

No advance application — judged during the symposium.

Travel & venue

Nearest airport: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (Nagpur) — 8 km from CSIR-NEERI.

Nagpur Railway Station (3 km) & major bus stand nearby.

Accommodation: List of partner hotels will be provided upon registration.

CSIR-NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020

Tourist Places Near Nagpur

Explore the rich cultural and natural heritage around Nagpur during your visit to AAR 2026.

Dragon Palace Temple

Located in nearby Kamptee, this internationally renowned Buddhist site is also known as the "Peace Palace." Established in 1999 with support from the Ogawa Society of Japan, it symbolizes Indo-Japanese friendship.A major center for worship and meditation near Nagpur

Deekshabhoomi

A major Buddhist pilgrimage site where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956. Features a grand stupa and serene surroundings.

Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, Dhapewada

Known as the "Pandharpur of Vidarbha," this ancient temple is about 35 km from Nagpur on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River. It houses self-manifested idols of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini, believed to have appeared in a well in 1740. The temple draws large crowds during Ashadhi Ekadashi.

Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi (Tekdi Ganapati)

One of Nagpur's oldest temples, about 250 years old, located on a hillock (tekdi) near Nagpur Railway Station. The idol is swayambhu (self-manifested), believed to have emerged from the ground during British dynamite blasting in 1875. Around 5,000 devotees visit daily, and it was recently upgraded to a Grade A tourism site.

Ramtek Temple

An ancient hilltop temple complex dedicated to Lord Rama, about 45 km from Nagpur, known for its architectural beauty and views.

Pench Tiger Reserve

A renowned wildlife sanctuary ~90 km from Nagpur, home to tigers, leopards, and diverse flora. Ideal for nature and safari enthusiasts.

Khindsi Lake

A beautiful lake near Ramtek, popular for boating, picnics, and its tranquil surroundings. A great weekend getaway from Nagpur.

Sevagram Ashram, Wardha

Mahatma Gandhi's ashram, about 75 km from Nagpur, established in 1936. It served as Gandhi's residence and the centre of India's freedom movement for eight years. The ashram preserves his hut, prayer ground, and museum, offering a peaceful glimpse into his simple life and ideals.

Accommodation

Accommodation details for AAR 2026 participants are given below.

For Boys

Shetkari Bhavan

Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) Campus,
Futala Road, Telangkhedi, Seminary Hills,
Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440001

For Girls

Farmer's Hostel, CCRI

ICAR - Central Citrus Research Institute,
Amravati Road, Kachimet,
Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440033, India.

Ginning Training Centre of CIRCOT

Amravati Road, P.O. Wadi,
Nagpur, Maharashtra - 400 023, India.