REGISTRATION

Conference registration opens December 3, 2025, with the early bird deadline on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

REGISTRATION PRICES

The 26th Biennial Conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the Centro de Convenciones Pedro Rosselló González from October 19–23, 2026, with workshops on October 17–18, 2026. The early bird registration deadline is Wednesday, June 24, 2026 (end of day). Standard rates will apply after this date.

Below you will find information on registration options and pricing. In order to purchase a conference registration, you will need to access the conference software. Information on how to access the software is provided below.

Conference Registration

EARLY BIRDDecember 3, 2025 - June 24, 2026

Member – $650 USD
Non-member – $900 USD
Student member – $250 USD
Student non-member – $350 USD
Low income country member – $300 USD
Low income country non-member – $425 USD

Conference Registration

STANDARDJune 25 - October 16, 2026

Member – $725 USD
Non-member – $975 USD
Student member – $275 USD
Student non-member – $375 USD
Low income country member – $325 USD
Low income country non-member – $450 USD

Conference Registration

ON-SITEOctober 17 - 23, 2026

Member – $850 USD
Non-member – $1,100 USD
Student member – $350 USD
Student non-member – $450 USD
Low income country member – $400 USD
Low income country non-member – $525 USD

Workshop Only Registration

WORKSHOP ONLYDecember 3, 2025 - October 23, 2026

Attending only a workshop, not the main conference?
You must purchase a Workshop-Only registration in addition to the workshop fee to participate.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are already registered for the full conference, you do not need to pay an additional workshop fee.

1 Day Workshop Only (Member*) – $275 USD
2 Day Workshop Only (Member*) – $400 USD

1 Day Workshop Only (Non-member*) – $375 USD
2 Day Workshop Only (Non-member*) – $600 USD

* Member rate applies to all membership groups (i.e. full members, student members, low-income country members)
* Non-Member rate applies to all other groups (i.e. non-members, student non-members, low-income country non-members)

Conference Registration

EARLY BIRDDecember 3, 2025 - June 24, 2026

Member – $650 USD
Non-member – $900 USD
Student member – $250 USD
Student non-member – $350 USD
Low income country member – $300 USD
Low income country non-member – $425 USD

Conference Registration

STANDARDJune 25 - October 16, 2026

Member – $725 USD
Non-member – $975 USD
Student member – $275 USD
Student non-member – $375 USD
Low income country member – $325 USD
Low income country non-member – $450 USD

Conference Registration

ON-SITEOctober 17 - 23, 2026

Member – $850 USD
Non-member – $1,100 USD
Student member – $350 USD
Student non-member – $450 USD
Low income country member – $400 USD
Low income country non-member – $525 USD

Workshop Only Registration

WORKSHOP ONLYDecember 3, 2025 - October 23, 2026

Attending only a workshop, not the main conference?
You must purchase a Workshop-Only registration in addition to the workshop fee to participate.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are already registered for the full conference, you do not need to pay an additional workshop fee.

1 Day Workshop Only (Member*) – $275 USD
2 Day Workshop Only (Member*) – $400 USD

1 Day Workshop Only (Non-member*) – $375 USD
2 Day Workshop Only (Non-member*) – $600 USD

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

There will be a $100 USD handling fee for registration cancellations prior to Wednesday, June 24, 2026. After that date there will be no refunds for registration. Registration is non-transferable among attendees.

All other items paid for (e.g. event tickets or workshops) are subject to refunds; however, please note that due to changes made to the PayPal User Agreement and Refund Policy, we will not charge a fee to process refunds, but an administrative fee of $10 USD from the original transaction will not be returned.

Requests for refunds must be submitted to registration@marinemammalscience.org and refunds will be issued to the same method of payment used to secure payment.

READY TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT / WORKSHOP PROPOSAL?

To register or submit an abstract or workshop proposal, you’ll need to access the conference software. Hover over “Login” in the main menu and select the option that matches your membership status. This will redirect you to the main SMM website.

Attendees can register as either members or non-members, but please note that member rates are significantly lower.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the early bird registration deadline?

Early bird registration closes at the end of the day on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Is there a cancellation and/or refund policy?

Refund requests must be submitted to registration@marinemammalscience.org and will be issued to the original method of payment.

Refunds for other items (e.g., event tickets, workshops) will be processed without additional fees; however, please note that PayPal retains a $10 USD administrative fee from the original transaction.

A $100 USD handling fee applies to registration cancellations made before June 24, 2026. After this date, no registration refunds will be issued. Registrations are non-transferable.

I’ve recently graduated. Can I still register as a ‘student’?

If you’ve recently graduated (within the past year) and plan to present work conducted as a student, you may register and submit your abstract as a student. You’ll also remain eligible for student awards.

PLEASE NOTE: A letter from your professor or institution confirming that the work was completed while you were a student is required.

I’m under the age of 18. Can I still register and attend the conference?

The Policy for Attendance of Minors is as follows:

The SMM Board has established the following policy regarding the participation of minors (attendees under 18 years of age) at the Conference. This policy ensures that all presentations are led by adults, consistent with the assumptions made during the abstract review process.

• All presentations (long, short, poster, or video) at SMM2026 must be led by an adult. Minors may assist with the presentation.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times while attending the conference.
• Accompanying adults of minors are required to pay full conference registration fees.

How do I know if I qualify for a low income country registration?

Registration options are based on SMM membership status. Members from low-income countries who are now living and working in high-income countries on local-equivalent salaries should register as high income. Conversely, members from high-income countries who are working in low-income countries on locally equivalent salaries may register as low income. Membership rates are intended to reflect ability to pay, not country of origin.

How do I request a VISA letter so that I can travel to the conference?

After completing your conference registration payment, you will automatically receive an official VISA letter along with your receipt. If you do not receive this document or have any questions, please email conference@marinemammalscience.org to request an official SMM2026 invitation letter for your travel documentation.