Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium XI

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

July 27-28 2026


We look forward to welcoming you!

Background Image: University of Michigan, Link

Registration & Important Dates

We are pleased to announce that the Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science XI (ERES XI) conference will be held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on July 27–28, 2026. Much thanks to the Center for Habitable Planetary Systems and the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy for funding this conference.

The ERES annual meeting provides a platform for early-career scientists—graduate students, postdocs, and advanced undergraduates—to share their research on all aspects of exoplanet science, from detection and characterization to theory and instrumentation. The meeting also fosters networking, collaboration, and professional development within the exoplanet community. We look forward to welcoming the exoplanet community to Ann Arbor this summer for two days of exciting research and discussion!

Important Dates

  • Registration form opens: March 11, 2026
  • Registration form closes: Friday, April 10, 2026
  • Presentation assignments and registration confirmation: Late May 2026
  • Schedule posted: mid-June 2026
  • ERES XI conference: July 27–28, 2026

Registration

Registration is now closed. Talk and poster offers are being sent out via email in late May, but we will not have a final schedule posted until mid-June.


Logistics

Here is an annotated map of the key locations on campus. An interactive campus map can be found here. A guide to getting around the whole city of Ann Arbor by car, bus, and on foot an be found here.

Conference Venue

The conference will be hosted on the 10th floor of Weiser Hall (500 Church Street).

Getting to Ann Arbor

  • For those flying, the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the closest major airport to Ann Arbor, located about 25 miles away. You can drive/Uber/Lyft from DTW to Ann Arbor in about 35-45 minutes or use the Michigan Flyer, which provides direct transportation from DTW to Ann Arbor. The bus runs every hour and takes about 45 minutes. The round trip cost is $25.
  • For those taking the train, the Amtrack station is at 325 Depot Street, about a 1.0 mile walk from the conference venue.
  • For those driving, on-campus parking options are provided in their own section below. An unofficial tip from Ann Arbor locals is to park in the back Amtrack lot (315 Depot Street, 1.0 miles away) for free parking if you are not planning to drive during the conference.

Staying here

For those provided housing support, you will be housed at North Quad (105 S State St) in single- or double-occupancy rooms for two nights, June 26 and 27.

For those independently traveling, The Graduate by Hilton and the Bell Tower are pricier options that are a short walking distance from the conference venue. We also recommend checking AirBnb for more affordable options that are within walking distance of the conference venue.

Parking

Typically, most people walk or take the buses to get around in Ann Arbor. We recommend finding a good place to park nearby and planning to walk around-- the activities of the conference should all be very close to each other. Various UMich parking lots can be located on the interative campus map. We recommend public parking options, especially the Forest Parking Structure (650 S. Forest St; $1.65 per hour with a 72 hour limit).

For other questions, please email the LOC at eresorganizers [at] gmail {dot} com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ERES?

ERES is an annual conference by and for early-career scientists (e.g. graduate students, postdocs, postbacs, advanced undergraduates) working in planetary astronomy, Earth sciences, the search for life in the cosmos, and related fields. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for these researchers to present their research to an interested audience and network with peers, as well as to stimulate collaborations among exoplanet, Solar System, and Earth science researchers.

ERES has been held annually on a rotating basis between partner institutions since 2015. The current partner institutions are Cornell, Penn State, Princeton, and Yale.

What are the formats of the talks and posters for ERES?

Talks have been 8 minutes long with 2 minutes for questions (10 total). Posterboards will most likely be 3 feet by 4 feet.

I don't study exoplanets. Can I participate in ERES?

ERES is open to all early-career scientists, researchers, and students working on anything related to planets and planetary systems, broadly construed. In addition to exoplanets, relevant areas of research may include (but are not limited to) star and planet formation and evolution (including disks); stellar astrophysics; planetary science and Solar System exploration; astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth; geological, oceanic, and atmospheric sciences; celestial mechanics and astrodynamics; and aerospace engineering.

Can I register/participate without submitting an abstract?

Yes. However, we strongly encourage submitting an abstract if you can. We will not be able to provide lodgings or travel support for participants who do not submit abstracts.

Is there a virtual/remote attendance option?

As in previous years, we will most likely not offer a virtual option.

How many slots are there for oral presentations? What about poster presentations?

The SOC will decide the number of talks on the schedule after abstracts have been received, sorted, and reviewed. We anticipate that everyone who submits a reasonable, relevant abstract will be offered an opportunity to present at the conference.

What will be the costs of attending?

Due to the unprecedented current fiscal situation in the US, ERES XI is working with a limited budget compared to previous years. Nevertheless, we will make every effort to ensure that participants are supported as much as possible.

With the generous contributions from the Center for Habitable Planetary Systems and the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, we are able to guarantee free registration for all participants.

How do you pronouce ERES?

We are going with the pronunciation "EE-rez" (IPA spelling: /'irɛz/). Some of us who were around for ERES V in 2019 remember it being pronounced "AIR-eez" (/ɛəri:z/, like the name "Ares").

Other Questions?

Send an email to eresorganizers [at] gmail {dot} com or directly contact agtaylor@umich.edu

Code of Conduct

ERES 2026 is dedicated to fostering a professional environment that values respect, equal opportunity, and fair treatment for all participants. Please see our Code of Conduct page here.

Acknowledgements

Sponsors

ERES XI is funded by generous contributions from the Center for Habitable Planetary Systems and the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy.

Previous ERES pages

Princeton 2025
Cornell 2024