The Galaxy Community Conference (GCC) is the premier annual gathering for research leaders, principal investigators, and institutional decision-makers advancing data-intensive science. This conference provides a strategic forum for senior researchers to influence the direction of Galaxy development, establish collaborative partnerships, and explore how Galaxy can address institutional research priorities.

GCC features keynote addresses from distinguished researchers, panel discussions on funding and strategic directions, and opportunities to shape Galaxy's roadmap. Senior attendees gain insights into leveraging Galaxy for grant proposals, scaling institutional infrastructure, and building sustainable research programs while networking with leaders from top research institutions worldwide.

GCC2026 will feature keynote presentations from distinguished researchers and thought leaders addressing strategic challenges in data-intensive science, funding landscapes, and institutional infrastructure. These sessions will showcase high-impact research outcomes, discuss best practices for scaling Galaxy at the institutional level, and explore emerging opportunities for collaborative research initiatives. Check out the highlighted talks page to learn more about these executive-level presentations.

• Galaxy Live! - See Galaxy in action, on the stage!
• Rayan Chikhi - "Assembling and exploring the world's sequencing data for biological discovery"
• Galaxy Community Update - Highlights from the Galaxy community
• Panel Discussion - Engage with a group of panelists to discuss hot Galaxy topics
• Galaxy in Research - See how Galaxy is being used to help with some cutting-edge research.

We are pleased to offer several fellowship opportunities to support attendance at the Galaxy Community Conference 2026 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. These awards help build the next generation of Galaxy leaders by enabling early-career researchers to connect with senior investigators and participate in strategic discussions. The fellowships are open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists. Senior researchers are encouraged to nominate exceptional candidates from their labs. Take a look at the fellowships page for more details.

GCC2026 is hosted by the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA). UCA is a modern, dynamic research university born from the merger of two prominent institutions in 2017, now unifying diverse strengths across science, engineering, health, and humanities. With over 35,000 students and more than 40 research units, UCA is deeply integrated into local and international research networks, committed to fostering interdisciplinary exchange and scientific excellence.

Among other initiatives, UCA also supports the AuBi bioinformatics platform, which administers a local Galaxy instance.

The Galaxy project is thrilled to be hosted by UCA!

CoFest provides a unique opportunity for strategic collaboration where senior researchers and institutional leaders work alongside Galaxy developers to shape future priorities and capabilities. This interactive working session enables direct input into Galaxy's development roadmap and facilitates partnerships on institutional infrastructure challenges.

CoFest participants engage in focused working groups addressing shared institutional needs and strategic priorities. It's an invaluable forum for PIs and research directors to influence Galaxy's evolution while building collaborative relationships with peers from leading research organizations.

Join us at CoFest

Nestled in the heart of central France, Clermont-Ferrand is a city framed by dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich history. Dominated by the striking black lava-stone cathedral and surrounded by the Chaîne des Puys — a UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient volcanoes — the city offers an inspiring mix of natural beauty and architectural wonder.

Conference participants can look forward to vibrant cultural experiences, from strolling through charming medieval streets to enjoying lively cafés and local gastronomy. With its dynamic university atmosphere and welcoming spirit, Clermont-Ferrand provides the perfect setting for stimulating academic exchange and memorable discoveries.

The travel page has more details.