Congress of the European Society of
Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Explore everything that ESCMID Global is offering this year in Vienna. Discover the highlights of the programme including confirmed keynote speakers, new session types and hot topics that will be covered. Be sure to learn about the side events that will be taking place parallel to the congress too.
The ESCMID Global Programme is organized into five main pillars: three academic and two industrial. The academic pillars of Education, Science and Research form the core of the programme dedicated to advancing knowledge, innovation, and expertise in the fields of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. The Pipeline and Industry pillars instead focus on the application of the latest scientific developments by enterprises within the field of infection. Here you can explore each pillar, and which sessions fall under each as well as special interest sessions.
ESCMID Global is first and foremost dedicated to expanding knowledge in the fields of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. This pillar is the foundation upon which ESCMID Global invites you to step into the world of cutting edge. Invited speakers, keynote lecturers, and ESCMID awardees bring their expertise to attendees with these classic session types which provide the basis for your scientific discovery.
60’: 45’ talk + 15’ Q&A
1 speaker
2 chairpersons
Targeting a broad audience of specialists and non-specialists, these sessions feature key opinion leaders who present a state-of-the-art review of a specific cutting-edge topic, including summarising their own scientific achievements in the field.
60’ interactive conversation with audience
1 speaker (keynote speaker)
1-2 chairpersons
Open sessions, taking place right after the Keynote Lecture/Interview and aiming at generating informal discussions with ESCMID trainees and early career members.
Symposia convene renowned speakers from around the world and cover the range of topics being covered at ESCMID Global. They are tailored to give an overview of recent developments and research results, review the literature, or present as pro/con debates.
1-hour Symposium:
2 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
2 speakers
2 chairpersons
2-hour Symposium:
4 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
4 speakers
2 chairpersons
“Year in ...” and “Top papers in ...” sessions are 1-hour symposia where speakers present a common review on the topic based on the published literature since the last ESCMID Global. In each session, two speakers present a maximum of 10 papers, followed by a final discussion, focused on future research, ongoing controversies and take-home messages.
This year, the sessions include:
60’: variable format
3-5 speakers
1 chairperson
During lunch break in designated open spaces (Arenas), speakers discuss with the audience a particular issue, typically with controversy and policy-related aspects.
At ESCMID Global 2025, the winners of the society’s awards for 2025 will be presented in dedicated sessions:
Young Investigator Award for Research in CM and ID
The ESCMID Young Investigator and Emerging Young Investigator Award winners will receive their awards and present their research during the session “Young Investigator Awards for Research in CM and ID ”.
ESCMID Award of Excellence in CM and ID
The ESCMID Excellence Awardee will receive the award and give a keynote lecture during a dedicated session.
ESCMID TAE Outstanding Trainee Award
The TAE Outstanding Trainee Award is intended to recognise and reward multi-skilled trainees with extracurricular activities in teaching, networking and collaboration for trainees in CM and ID. The winners for 2024 will be announced in November 2024 and will receive their awards during the TAE Day at ESCMID Global.
ISF-ESCMID Sepsis Award
The International Sepsis Forum (ISF) is a non-profit public American charity with the mission to improve outcomes for patients with sepsis. Its award gives the recipient 500 USD ($) and the opportunity to present their work during a session jointly organised by ISF and ESCMID.
The symposium “Sepsis Global 2025” is scheduled Monday 14 April 2025, 08:30 - 10:30.
Education is about the exchange of knowledge and the growth of young professionals. Session types under this pillar focus on educating attendees in a combination of classic and innovative methods to give a rich learning experience including interactions with top experts and real-world experiences from which trainees can benefit. Special sessions feature alternative methods to engage audiences in new and exciting ways.
60’: 2 presentations of 12' max from each speaker followed by discussions with the audience
2 speakers
Informally known as “How Best to…” sessions, these educational sessions commonly target smaller audiences. The topics addressed should have practical relevance and include exchange of personal views, discussion of cases and experiences on a matter with the audience.
120’: 4 talks of 20’ each + 40’ panel discussion
4 speakers
2 chairpersons In special circumstances, 3h sessions are allocated
These sessions are review talks and/or case studies that lend themselves to discussions and educate on CM/ID. The goal of this format is education while focusing on core topics in CM/ID and as such formats can involve case discussions and be interactive.
60’: 5 talks of 11’ minutes each including discussion + 5’ commentary by chairperson
5 speakers
1 chairperson
Case Sessions feature case reports or small case series selected from submitted abstracts, which are discussed to highlight clinical lessons or share clinical experience within a common topic.
The very popular Clinical Grand Round pits the wits of six internationally renowned physicians against seven difficult clinical cases involving patients with infectious diseases. It is co-organised with the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). In a 2-hour Session, cases are presented by trainee ID physicians from ESCMID and IDSA and discussed with the senior Professors. The presenting trainees and their cases are selected in a competitive process in the months leading up to the congress.
The research pillar is built up mainly of original research abstracts accepted for presentation after a rigorous review. These abstracts are either grouped and incorporated into oral sessions or displayed as posters presented directly by the authors. This programme is then complemented by journal sessions featuring the latest and greatest papers that were published within the last year.
Oral sessions feature a range of selected abstracts covering a specific topic, bringing the most recent scientific findings forward.
1-hour Oral Session:
5 talks of 12’ each including discussion
2 chairpersons
2-hour Oral Session:
10 talks of 12’ each including discussion
2 chairpersons
60’: 9 presentations of 6’ each + discussion
9 abstract presenters
1 chairperson
Speakers are selected by their submitted abstracts and will present the highlights of their research work using their ePosters.
Accepted abstracts that have not been assigned to oral sessions are then presented in the poster sessions that take place every day over lunch. The sessions are organised by subcategory and posters are available also electronically on the content platform.
Focused on innovation and the future, the pipeline pillar features brand new session types to showcase the research and development highlights of the past year and what’s to come. Meeting new innovators, and discussing in the forums allow for maximum engagement and networking among key leaders pushing the boundaries. Keep up with the cutting-edge and beyond with this pillar.
Scientific symposia convene renowned speakers from around the world and cover a wide range of topics in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and infection control. Symposia are tailored to give an overview of recent developments and research results, review the literature, or present as pro/con debates.
1-hour sessions
2 speakers, 2 chairpersons
20-25`+5-10`Q&A
2-hour sessions
4 speakers, 2 chairpersons
20-25`+5-10`Q&A
1-hour sessions
2 speakers’ “innovators” (no chairperson)
10-12` talks each
MTIs are educational in nature. Both speakers deliver a short presentation, 10-12’ max. elaborating on a common topic followed by interactive discussion and audience engagement which are the core of this session format.
These educational sessions commonly target a smaller audience to facilitate interaction. The topics have practical relevance pertaining to R&D processes, including discovery and development methodologies, technology assessment, clinical studies, policy and planning, economics, etc. It also allows for discussion with the speakers and includes the exchange of personal views, direct interaction, discussion of cases and experiences on a matter.
1-hour sessions
1 presentation 15` max
3-4 panelists plus 2 chairpersons
The session will open with a short presentation to introduce the topic, followed by a panel discussion where experts in the field will debate with the audience ideas and views on a particular issue.
1-hour session
5-7 speakers
8-10` each, including Q&A
The Pipeline Corner has become a regular and popular session at ESCMID Global where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Europe and overseas present their research projects and product pipeline in different fields: therapeutics, diagnostics, bioinformatics, vaccines.
The industry programme is an integral component that features sessions organised and funded by sponsors. These sessions highlight state-of-the-art technologies and/or procedures related to the field of infection. Some sessions are purely educational and contain no promotional material while others allow companies to showcase their latest products and innovations.
Each session highlights state-of-the-art technologies and/or procedures related to the clinical microbiology and infectious disease fields. Presentation content is evaluated to ensure scientific integrity and no promotional content.
1-hour Symposium:
2 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
2 speakers
2 chairpersons (incl. an ESCMID-appointed chair)
2-hour Symposium:
4 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
4 speakers
2 chairpersons (incl. an ESCMID-appointed chair)
A designated space for short presentations highlighting the latest products of participating industry partners to a small audience of up to 70 people. Organisers here can showcase the latest innovations and developments or products to targeted audiences in a theatre style 20-minute presentation. This is the only session in which ESCMID does not screen the content prior to the congress and promotional content (e.g. product placement) is allowed.
Looking for more information? Get in touch with an ESCMID representative today!
Registration for ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich is now open.
Register now to get the early registration fee and attend the world’s most eminent event in the field of infection.