Visit to a host organization located in a different country than the country of affiliation by a researcher or innovator for specific work to be carried out and for a determined period of time.

VM: Virtual Mobility

Collaboration in a virtual setting among researchers or innovators within the IMMUNO-model COST Action, to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, etc.

DC: Dissemination Conference

Funds an oral presentation by an Action Participant of the work of IMMUNO-model COST Action in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by IMMUNO-model.

ITC: Inclusiveness Targeted Countries Conference

Funds an oral presentation of their own work within the scope of IMMUNO-model COST Action by an Action Participant affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country / Near Neighbour Country in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by IMMUNO-model.

YRI: Young Researchers and Innovators Conference

Funds a poster/oral presentation of their own work by a Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI = below 40 years old) in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by IMMUNO-model.

Am I eligible? https://www.cost.eu/am-i-eligible/
Annotated Rules FAQ: https://www.cost.eu/cost-actions/annotated-rules-qa/

For details please visit: https://www.immuno-model.eu/mobility-grants/

STSM contact:
Grant Awarding Coordinator
Dr. Philippe Bertrand

When: Thursday, 23 April 2026
Time: 4:00 PM

The 1-hour webinar will consist of three topics (10-15 minutes each), followed by a question-and-answer slot.

Agenda

• The Immune System – Uzma Hassan
  (CRCL – The Lyon Immunotherapy for Cancer Laboratory (LICL), France)
• Immunotherapy: Treatments and Cancer Types – Gianmarco Contino
  (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom)
• Immuno-models, COST Action, future activities & the role of patients –
  Eva Martínez Balibrea
  (Chair of the COST Action; Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain)
  &
  Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer
  (Vice-Chair of the COST Action; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany)

Moderator:
Silke Vogel (Patient Advocate)

Who we are

We are IMMUNO-model, a European research consortium working under the umbrella of a COST Action. Our objective is to contribute to the development of more effective and less toxic immunotherapies by advancing preclinical immuno-models that better reflect patient reality.

Our Patient Engagement Task Force aims to bring these concepts to as many patients as possible. Interaction with patients is essential to help us shape relevant research questions, refine our models, and guide future research topics.

Teams link: 11th IMMUNO-model webinar: Patient Webinar: Immunotherapy in Cancer – How It Works and Why Challenges Remain | Partecipazione alla riunione | Microsoft Teams

Registration form link: https://forms.gle/W8J9rHn6QqTKccHz6

This step-by-step protocol details how to study cell invasion and chemotaxis in 3D using the IC-chip organ-on-chip platform — a flexible and reproducible New Approach Method (NAM) for quantifying tumour–immune interactions and drug responses.

Interested in integrating cell-culture-on-chip modelling into your research?
Contact Devrim Pesen Okvur for collaboration opportunities.

We are delighted to announce the Final IMMUNO-model Annual Conference – Building Bridges in Cancer Immunotherapy Modelling, where we will celebrate the culmination of four years dedicated to fostering research and innovation in the field of preclinical immuno-oncology models. This event will bring together researchers, clinicians and industry partners, to exchange insights and celebrate the achievements of IMMUNO-model community.

The conference will include a scientific program with lectures and poster presentations, as well as
roundtable discussions and opportunities for face-to-face meetings with industry. These interactions
aim to facilitate new collaborations and accelerate the translation of fundamental immuno-oncology
research into treatment advances for patients.

The conference will also host the TGRC Symposium, which will explore gender from both a scientific
and a structural perspective, featuring sessions on gender equality in research and clinical practice, the impact of sex differences on immunology and immunotherapy, and the relevance of incorporating
gender into advanced experimental models. The programme includes invited expert talks, a panel
discussion, and an industry pitching and networking session designed to foster interaction and new
opportunities for collaboration.

The preliminary conference agenda – featuring keynote speakers, invited talks, and short presentations across seven sessions – is now available here.

Meeting Venue National Institute of Biology (NIB)l, 121 Večna pot, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
https://www.nib.si/eng/

GOOGLEMAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hy3uhgaKoeRb4Xmb6

The National Institute of Biology (NIB) is a leading public research institute in the field of biology and
related natural and environmental sciences in Slovenia.

Reimbursement Speakers and abstract presenters will be eligible for travel reimbursement subject to budget availability and in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/11/COST-TRR-Rules-2025-2026.pdf). Priority will be given to IMMUNO-model COST Action members. Successful participants will be notified by 6th of April 2026.

Key Dates

Registration opens: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Deadline for in-person final registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for online registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for Abstract submission: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Decision and notification of Abstract and reimbursement acceptance: 06/04/2026

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

TRANSPORT

Coming from Jože Pučnik (Brnik) Ljubljana airport:
Buses: https://www.lju-airport.si/en/transport/bus/
you can book it in advance: https://www.nomago.si/en/shuttle/ljubljana-airport
GoOpti shuttle: https://www.goopti.com/en/
Train station in Ljubljana: https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/poi/ljubljana-railway-station/
Transport in the city of Ljubljana:
Walk, rent a bike https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/gettingaround/bicikelj/
For the city bus (LPP) you can use Urbana app, you can get Urbana card or you can simply pay with
your credit card on the bus: https://www.lpp.si/en/payment-methods

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY

ČAD

GOSTILNA, HOTEL, BISTRO ČAD
Cesta na Rožnik 18, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://hotel-cad.si/
walking distance to NIB: 1,8 km/23 min
driving distance to NIB: 1,8 km/2 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 30 min
driving distance to city centre: 3,2 km/10 min

Tivoli boutique inn

Žibertova 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia | Europe
+386 (0) 59 731 731
info@tivoliboutiqueinn.com
https://tivoliboutiqueinn.com/index.html
walking distance to NIB: 5 km/48 min
driving distance to NIB: 5 km/12 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 20 min
driving distance to city centre: 2 km/ 5 min

InterContinental Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 59 Ljubljana 1000
Contact: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/ljubljana/ljuha/hoteldetail
walking distance to NIB: 4.3 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,3 km/10 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 10 min
driving distance to city centre: 1 km/5 min

Cityhotel Ljubljana

Dalmatinova ulica 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://www.cityhotel.si/en/
walking distance to NIB: 3.7 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,5 km/11 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 1 min
driving distance to city centre: 100 m/1 min

Hotel Slon Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 34 Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.hotelslon.com/
walking distance to NIB: 4.8 km/44 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,8 km/13 min
Bus (LPP) line no. 18: 16 min
walking distance to city centre: 3min

Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

Pot za Brdom 4, Ljubljana, 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ljufp-four-points-ljubljana-mons/overview/
walking distance to NIB: 1,9 km/27 min
driving distance to NIB: 3,1 km/6 min
Bus (LPP)/walking distance to city centre: 1h

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Barbara Breznik; barbara.brenzik@nib.si
Metka Novak; metka.novak@nib.si

This protocol shows how to model tumour growth in R using simple differential equations to simulate cancer dynamics in silico. 

Interested in integrating mathematical modelling into your research?
Contact Peter to collaborate or learn more.

This event will be held on the 9th February 2026 in Barcelona, at the Science Museum COSMOCAIXA and will feature leading international experts, amongst those who already confirmed participation:

• Frances Balkwill – Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (London, UK).
• Calvin J. Kuo – Stanford University School of Medicine (Palo Alto, USA).
• Maria Carla Parrini – Institut Curie, INSERM, Paris (FR).

Download full program here.

Download Book of Abstracts here.

Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in cancer immunotherapy, translational oncology, and preclinical modelling.

IMMUNO-model members will have the opportunity of presenting their work. For this event, IMMUNO-Model COST Action will financially support some attendants with oral presentations. Selected presenters will be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs, in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules, and subject to funds availability.

Important dates:

• 05/11/2025: Registration opens for abstract submissions and passive attendance
• 15/12/2025: Deadline for submitting abstracts and passive attendance
• 12/01/2026: Confirmation of admission at the event for both abstract presenters and passive attendance

For more information, please follow our social media channels!