Conference

The annual Improving Scientific Software Conference brings together software engineers, scientists, developers - any individuals with an interest in scientific software design - to share novel experiences and best practices, develop connections across divisions and institutions, and advance our community.

The scientific software ecosystem is experiencing changes unlike any in recent times. Large language models are revolutionizing the software development process, but understanding how to use them effectively and ethically remains a major difficulty. And software sustainability is less certain than ever, given the disruptions we've seen to previously reliable funding streams. As always, these challenges bring with them corresponding opportunities, and in pursuing such opportunities, we can seek to maintain the joy of software development.

Audience🔗︎

The conference is for staff and students at research institutions, universities, and in industry who are interested in learning and discussing the latest developments and practices in scientific software. Those working in the geosciences will likely find it most relevant. However, anyone who finds the agenda beneficial to them is welcome to attend, even if they do not fit the category previously stated.

Sponsors🔗︎

The 2026 Improving Scientific Software Conference is organized by the UCAR Software Engineering Assembly (SEA) and funded by UCAR and NSF NCAR.

If your organization would like to sponsor the 2026 ISS Conference, please reach out to the ISS committee to discuss funding opportunities and the associated benefits to your organization.

Registration and Logistics🔗︎

We expect registration to open in early 2026. Stay tuned for details.

Venue🔗︎

This year, the Improving Scientific Software Conference will be held at NSF NCAR's historic Mesa Laboratory, which is nestled above the town of Boulder near the majestic Flatirons.

NSF NCAR Mesa Laboratory
1850 Table Mesa Dr
Boulder, CO 80305

Submitting an Abstract🔗︎

We welcome any abstracts related to improvements in scientific software, particularly those focused on the following topics:

• Use of AI in software development
• Collaborative efforts spanning groups within institutions
• Writing code that is easy for new contributors to understand
• Better practices for writing and maintaining documentation
• Effective approaches to prioritize and enhance community software maintenance
• Strategies for demonstrating legacy software value in a changing landscape
• What can software engineers, research software engineers, and scientists learn from each other?

We also strongly encourage abstracts from student and early-career participants who might be interested.

Student Submission Support🔗︎

Registration, travel, and lodging support will be available for a select number of accepted student submissions. Any undergraduate or graduate student submitting any type of abstract is eligible for registration support. However, travel and lodging support are limited to U.S. students only. During review, abstracts will be categorized into one of three outcomes:

• Accepted with registration and travel support
• Accepted without travel support
• Not accepted

If a student submission is accepted without travel support, the submitter is still encouraged to attend in-person if possible or virtually. If you have any questions about student submission assistance, please reach out to the conference committee by email.

Proceedings🔗︎

We will accept traditional paper submissions this year for publication alongside a new option to upload slides and supporting materials such as computational notebooks (with or without a corresponding paper) to a conference collection on Zenodo. Paper submissions will be due April 24^th, 2026 and will undergo a subsequent review process. Slides and computational notebooks should be submitted to Zenodo by the end of the conference.

If you have any questions, please email the ISS Proceedings committee. We plan to host office hours during the conference if you have questions before the submission deadline.

Code of Conduct🔗︎

UCAR and NSF NCAR are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants in any conference, workshop, field project or project hosted or managed by UCAR, no matter what role they play or their background.

All participants are required to abide by this Code of Conduct.