Participation

Abstract submissions are now closed.

You are invited to prepare an extended abstract for presentation in the technical program at the 19th Annual Energy HPC & AI Conference hosted by the Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice University, February 24–26, 2026.

Computation, data, and information technology continue to stand out across the energy industry as critical business enablers. We're also seeing how recent advances in machine learning, deep learning, robotics, and AI are converging with traditional HPC approaches. This transition into next-generation digitalization is an opportunity for advancements—a renaissance for system architectures highlighting the need for investments in people, algorithms, software innovations, and hardware platforms to support system scalability and demands for increasing digitalization while demonstrating business value.

We invite prospective speakers to submit technical program abstracts that showcase innovative technologies, real-world use cases, and scalable solutions that enable data-driven discovery and decision making across the energy computing landscape—from traditional HPC applications like seismic imaging and reservoir simulation to emerging approaches that integrate AI and machine learning.

Technical Talk Details

Accepted abstracts will deliver a 25-minute presentation (including Q&A) on February 24–25, 2026. Presentations will be recorded and published on the Ken Kennedy Institute’s YouTube channel. Presenters will need to sign a Digital Release Form. Please do not submit an abstract if you are not comfortable presenting in person.

Abstract Submissions — Due December 5, 2025
Acceptance Notice — December 19, 2025

Submission Guidelines

• One page (excluding graphics, bio, and references as needed)
• Must be uploaded as a PDF via EasyChair
• An extended abstract containing title, author(s) with contact information, short abstract, up to 5 keywords, and short sections on: (1) Motivation, (2) Hypothesis, (3) Methods and Results, and (4) Conclusion. Please review the abstract template.
• The short abstract (≤ 350 words) and keywords pasted into the appropriate text box on the EasyChair submission form

Note: This conference will consider and can accept abstracts for work that has previously been presented.

Note: Marketing-focused proposals will be rejected. Emphasis should be on innovation and discovery enabled by scalable solutions and should include strong and compelling customer use-cases when applicable. In cases where you think a marketing message may be a concern, we strongly encourage you to partner with a customer and highlight users and relevant use-cases. Vendors interested in engaging with end-users directly are also encouraged to explore sponsorship. ​​

Applications due January 14 at 11:59 PM CST

We are now accepting poster proposals for the 19th Annual Energy HPC & AI Conference at Rice University, hosted by the Ken Kennedy Institute. The poster session will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in person at the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC).

Details

Poster submissions are open to students and postdoctoral researchers. While relevance to industry is a consideration, it should be interpreted very broadly. The Energy HPC & AI Conference brings together participants from the energy industry, IT industry, academia, and national laboratories.

While the poster session is primarily geared toward students and postdocs, industry participants with research to showcase are also welcome to submit posters for consideration.

New Opportunity — Lightning Talks

Students and postdoctoral researchers (non-industry) may apply to present their poster as a 5-minute lightning talk on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Lightning talks will take place in the main auditorium as part of the conference program before the afternoon poster session begins.

If interested, please select “Poster Session + Lightning Talk” on the EasyChair application and complete the additional required information. A letter of recommendation from an advisor or supervisor is required (details provided in the EasyChair submission form).

Important Dates

• Poster & Lightning Talk Submissions — Due: January 14, 2026
• Poster & Lightning Talk Acceptance Notice: January 23, 2026
• Lightning Talks & Poster Presentation Reception: February 25, 2026

Poster Submission Guidelines

• Title of poster
• 1–2 paragraph abstract
• Authors with affiliations

Note 1: If you do not already have an EasyChair account, you will be required to create one to access the submission page.

Note 2: The Ken Kennedy Institute does not offer printing services; printing is the responsibility of the presenter. Printed posters cannot exceed 48” × 48” (absolute requirement). PowerPoint poster templates are available.

Complimentary Registration

Upon acceptance, student and postdoctoral poster and lightning-talk presenters (excluding industry) will receive a complimentary conference registration code.

Travel & Accommodations Credit

Non-local student presenters selected for a lightning talk will receive a complimentary domestic flight, or up to $500 in flight reimbursement if traveling internationally, along with a two-night hotel stay near the conference venue in Houston, TX.

Acceptance & Notification

Accepted posters and lightning-talk selections will be notified individually via email. Please contact the conference organizers at kenkennedy@rice.edu if advance notification is required for travel or visa planning.

Awards

This year, the conference will award:

• Best Lightning Talk
• People’s Choice Poster

All student and postdoctoral presenters will be considered. Awards will be announced at the conclusion of the Poster Presentation Reception. Prizes will also be distributed to the winners during the award ceremony.

This is an excellent opportunity to build your resume, showcase your work, and network with conference attendees from across industry and academia. Lightning talk presenters benefit from highlighting their work to the full conference audience prior to the poster session.