The International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving From Nature (PPSN) is a biannual open forum fostering the study of natural models, iterative optimization heuristics, machine learning, and other artificial intelligence approaches. PPSN was originally designed to bring together researchers and practitioners in the field of Natural Computing, the study of computing approaches that are gleaned from natural models. Today, the conference series has evolved and welcomes works on all types of iterative optimization heuristics. Notably, we also welcome submissions on connections between search heuristics and machine learning or other artificial intelligence approaches. Submissions covering the entire spectrum of work, ranging from rigorously derived mathematical results to carefully crafted empirical studies, are invited.

All information regarding the conference organization, papers/tutorials/workshops, submission, registration, venue, etc. will be provided and constantly updated on this website and on our social media channels.

In case of any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at ppsn2026@unitn.it.

See you soon in Trento, Italy!

Giovanni Iacca, PPSN 2026 Conference Chair

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference.

Papers must be submitted as PDF files in Springer LNCS style through the conference submission portal. The page limit is 14 pages, excluding references.

Authors' names need not be hidden for the (single blind) reviewing process. Springer's instructions for authors of proceedings in computer science (which includes LNCS) are available here.

Springer's proceedings LaTeX templates are available on Overleaf. If authors wish to include supplementary material, we suggest they host a separate document online (e.g., Zenodo) and cite it appropriately within the paper.

We draw the attention of contributing authors to Springer's Code of Conduct and AI Authorship Policy.

Paper submission website

Paper Presentation and Publishing

Following PPSN's unique tradition, all accepted papers will be presented during the poster sessions and will be included in the proceedings.

For this purpose, please prepare a poster in DIN A0 portrait format once your full paper has been accepted.

The proceedings will be published in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series by Springer.

We are looking for sponsors to support and partner with this core A-rank conference. By sponsoring PPSN, your organization will gain visibility within the international research community and contribute to shaping one of the leading events in the field. For sponsorship opportunities and details, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to discuss this further and provide all needed information.

For sponsorship opportunities and details, contact us at ppsn2026@unitn.it. We will be happy to discuss this further and provide all needed information.

We are proud to announce that our proceedings will be published as part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS). Free access to the conference publications will be provided right before the conference.

"The series Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), including its subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence (LNAI) and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics (LNBI), has established itself as a medium for the publication of new developments in computer science and information technology research and teaching. The cornerstone of LNCS's editorial policy is its unwavering commitment to report the latest results from all areas of computer science and information technology research, development, and education.

LNCS has always enjoyed close cooperation with the computer science R & D community, with numerous renowned academics, and with prestigious institutes and learned societies. Our mission is to serve this community by providing an invaluable publication service.

LNCS commenced publication in 1973 and rapidly attracted attention, not least because of its unprecedented publication turnaround times. In the late 1990s we developed a systematic approach to providing LNCS in a full-text electronic version, in parallel to the printed books. Another new feature introduced in the late 1990s was the conceptualization of a couple of color-cover sublines. Still, original research results reported in proceedings and post proceedings remain the core of LNCS."

Registration and Cancellation Policy

The registration of participation is binding.

At least one author of an accepted paper must complete their registration by the camera-ready deadline of June 12, 2026, and attend the conference to present the corresponding poster in order for it to be included in the conference proceedings.

As soon as your registration has been successfully completed, an online invoice will be emailed to you. The conference fee must be paid within 7 days of registration. After the early bird registration deadline, the regular participation fee will be charged.

Participation is not guaranteed until full payment of the registration fee is received.

Cancellations received at least four weeks prior to the conference will be eligible for a full refund. Cancellations submitted less than four weeks before the event will not be eligible for a refund.

Please note that you have the right to nominate someone else from the same organization to attend the conference in your place within three days prior to the conference opening. Please inform us via email at ppsn2026@unitn.it if you wish for your place to be taken by a colleague.

Please note that parts of the program may still be subject to change.

Payments (only registration fee) will be refunded if the conference will be canceled by the organizer. In that case, the organizer will have no further liability to the client. Registrations remain valid if the conference has to be postponed.

One single regular registration is enough to cover multiple accepted papers from the same author.

PPSN 2026 will be hosted at the University of Trento. Located in the middle of one of the most beautiful mountain regions in northern Italy, Trento is a medium-sized city, just a few kilometers away from the Dolomites and the Garda Lake, famous for its cultural and sports activities. In the last decade, Trento has established itself as an internationally recognised center for AI, offering a rich ecosystem of research institutions and R&D companies, and hosting an ELLIS Unit.

Traveling — How to get to Trento?

European Flights ✈️

Via Verona Airport
Bus (see the website for further informations) to "Verona Porta Nuova" train station, then direct trains to Trento. Italian trains website
Via Bergamo Airport
Bus (see the website for further informations) to "Verona Porta Nuova" train station, then direct trains to Trento. Italian trains website

Intercontinental Flights 🌍

Via Malpensa Airport
Train from airport to Milan Central Station. From there, high-speed or regular trains to Verona or Trento. Italian trains website
Via Venice Airport
Bus to "Venezia Mestre" train station. From there, high-speed or regular trains to Verona or Trento. Italian trains website

Trains 🚆

Trento is served by Italian railways and Austrian railways.

Flixbus 🚌

Trento is served by Flixbus, there are some direct buses, usually from Austria, that will stop in Trento.

Accommodation 🏨

A list of hotels with active agreements with the University of Trento can be found on the dedicated page. To receive further information about other accommodations in Trento, visit the accommodation page of the Azienda per il turismo Trento e Monte Bondone.

Please contact the chosen accommodation directly to make a reservation.

Booking.com or other websites can obviously be a further source for accommodation.

Social Event Venues 🎉

TBD