Information for Patients, Caregivers and Patient Organizations

Bring Your Perspective to HTAi 2027

12–16 June 2027 Brussels, Belgium

Theme: HTA in a Time of Transformation

Patients, caregivers and patient organizations hold vital knowledge about what healthcare decisions mean in real life. The HTAi Annual Meeting is an opportunity to bring that knowledge into international conversations about health technology assessment, healthcare policy and better decision-making.

Why Participate?

The Annual Meeting gives patients, caregivers and patient organizations opportunities to:

  • bring patient, caregiver and community perspectives into international HTA discussions;
  • share patient involvement, advocacy, research and lived experience;
  • learn how patient evidence is being used in different countries;
  • meet patient organizations, researchers and decision-makers;
  • develop partnerships and strengthen knowledge of HTA; and
  • influence conversations about the future of healthcare decision-making.

You do not need to be an academic researcher or an HTA expert. Practical experience, community knowledge, case studies and lessons learned can all provide valuable insights.

Share Your Work at the Annual Meeting

You may propose content independently or work with researchers, healthcare professionals, HTA bodies and other partners.

Poster

Share a project, experience, initiative, case study or piece of research in a visual and accessible format.

Oral presentation

Present findings, learning or patient-generated evidence as part of a session containing several related abstracts.

Panel

Bring together different perspectives to explore a shared question through discussion and audience participation.

Workshop

Lead an interactive learning session in which participants work together on a question, method or challenge.

What Makes a Strong Abstract?
  1. The issue or context: What problem, gap or need did you identify?
  2. The approach: What did you, your organization or your partnership do?
  3. Patient involvement: How were patients, caregivers or communities involved in shaping and delivering the work?
  4. Results or learning: What changed, what did you discover, or what challenges did you encounter?
  5. Relevance to HTA: Why should the international HTA community hear about this work?
How to Submit an Abstract
  1. Open the appropriate Annual Meeting submission portal and create or sign in to your account:
  2. Select the most appropriate presentation format.
  3. Enter the abstract title and required text.
  4. Add all authors and identify the proposed presenter or presenters.
  5. Select the relevant topic area.
  6. Review the information carefully and submit before the deadline.
  7. Keep the submission confirmation and reference number.
  8. Await the review outcome and further instructions.
Helpful Tips
  • Use clear language and explain specialist terms or abbreviations.
  • Focus on what was learned rather than giving a long description of your organization.
  • Show how patients or caregivers influenced the work.
  • Include results where possible. These could include research findings, changes in practice, new relationships, improved processes or lessons from an unsuccessful approach.
  • Be honest about challenges and limitations.
  • For jointly developed work, agree in advance who will be listed as an author and who will present.

Key Dates

Submissions open
Panel and Workshop deadline
Panel and Workshop results
Oral and Poster deadline
Participation Grant deadline
Oral and Poster results
Participation Grant results
PCIG PASS applications
February 2027 — dates to follow

Participation Grants

HTAi aims to support diverse and inclusive participation. Participation Grants may help eligible people who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Who May Be Eligible?

  • a patient or caregiver representative connected with a not-for-profit patient organization or network;
  • a participant living in an eligible low- or middle-income country; or
  • a full-time student enrolled in an HTA-related post-secondary programme.

What Can a Grant Support?

  • Annual Meeting registration;
  • economy travel;
  • accommodation for specified meeting dates; and
  • eligible local travel expenses.

Please check the full grant guidance. Applicants should not assume that every expense will be covered. Award limits, eligible travel dates and reimbursement arrangements are explained in the published guidance.

How to Apply for a Participation Grant
  1. Complete a separate online application through the Participation Grant application portal .
  2. Explain your interest in HTA and the Annual Meeting.
  3. Describe how attending would benefit your organization or community.
  4. Provide estimated travel and accommodation costs.
  5. Upload any required supporting documents.
  6. Submit your application by 4 December 2026.

PCIG PASS

The Patient and Citizen Involvement in HTA Interest Group (PCIG) PASS supports patients, caregivers and patient representatives to attend the Annual Meeting when financial barriers would otherwise prevent them from taking part.

The PASS aims to strengthen meaningful patient participation and build global capacity in health technology assessment.

Who Can Apply?

You may apply if you:

  • have lived experience as a patient or caregiver;
  • represent patients through a patient or community organization, including an online group;
  • represent patients on an HTA committee, for example as a consumer, patient, public or lay member; or
  • have received an HTAi Participation Grant or are a plenary speaker, fall into one of the categories above, and need partial support for expenses that are not covered.

What Can the PASS Provide?

  • Annual Meeting registration;
  • economy travel;
  • accommodation for specified meeting dates;
  • eligible local travel expenses; and
  • consideration of incidental costs such as meals, visa applications and accessibility support.

Applications will open and close in February 2027. Detailed dates will be available in early 2027.

Important Points to Remember

  • You do not have to be an experienced researcher to submit an abstract.
  • Patient- and caregiver-led work, lived experience and practical case studies are welcome when clearly connected to HTA.
  • Abstract submission, registration and funding applications are separate processes.
  • Acceptance of an abstract does not automatically include registration, travel or accommodation.
  • Presenters must register by the deadline stated in their acceptance information.
  • Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until funding and attendance have been confirmed.
  • Check final dates, criteria and financial arrangements against the published 2027 guidance.

Find Out More

Annual Meeting

www.htai2027.org

Abstracts and Participation Grants

annualmeeting@htai.org

PCIG and PCIG PASS

to.patient-citizen@htai.org

HTAi 2027 ANNUAL MEETING

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