2026 OpenVT Reproducible Agent-Based Multicellular Model Competition Promoting Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reproducible (FAIR) Simulations
Am I eligible?
The competition is primarily aimed at early career researchers, including but not limited to PhD students, postdocs, staff scientists, and research assistants. The competition is open to researchers from academia and industry. Individuals and small groups who developed the model are both eligible to compete.
- Individual: Applicant need not be the first author, but rather a modeller and co-author of the manuscript describing the model.
- Team: If multiple individuals were primary developers of the model, a small team can also apply.
How do I apply to the competition?
- Models must be published in a refereed journal published on or after January 1, 2024 and publicly distributed, e.g. by prior submission to a public model repository such as BioModels or through a public GitHub site or similar resource (GitLab, SourceForge, BitBucket, etc).
- Submit your model apply here. Deadline for submissions has been Wednesday December 31, 2025.
What prizes could I win?
- Up to three awards: First Place $400, Second Place $200, Third Place $100.
- The winners for this prize will be invited to be part of an OpenVT Minisymposium at the SMB 2026 Annual Meeting (Joint with ECMTB) in Graz, Austria (13-17 July 2026). However, attending the meetings is not required to submit or to win.
- Winners will be invited to present in the Global Alliance for Immune Prediction and Intervention (GLIMPRINT) virtual seminar series .
How are the winners selected?
What is the Timeline for the Competition?
- December 31, 2025: Initial submission deadline
- January 31, 2026: Extended submission deadline--competition closes for submissions
- January 1st - February 15th: Initial evaluation of scientific merit by review committee and creation of a shortlist of finalists
- February 15th: Notification of shortlist finalists
- February 15th - March 1st: 1 hour zoom sessions between finalists and jury to establish model reproducibility
- March 1st - 15th: Final ranking of competitors
- March 15th: Notification and announcement of winners
- July 13th - 17th: Talk by winners at the OpenVT Minisymposium at the 2026 ESMTB/SMB meeting
For questions about the competition
