Call for bids: Conference on Complex Systems (CCS 2028)
Background
Recent editions of CCS were/will be held in:
• CCS 2021 — Lyon, France
• CCS 2022 — Palma, Spain
• CCS 2023 — Salvador, Brasil
• CCS 2024 — Exeter, UK
• CCS 2025 — Siena, Italy
• CCS 2026 — Binghamton, USA
• CCS 2027 — Wrocław, Poland
The CCS series rotates across regions in order to promote geographical diversity and inclusivity within the global complexity science community.
Proposal requirements
Proposals should include the following information:
1. Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Names, roles, institutional affiliations, and prior experience in organizing international scientific events.
2. Scientific motivation and local context
Description of the local scientific environment, with particular emphasis on the presence of a complexity science community and opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement.
3. Tentative dates and agenda
Proposed conference dates and an indicative structure of the event (main conference, satellites, warm-up activities, etc.).
4. Conference format
Description of the intended format (primarily in-person, with possible limited hybrid components), including technical feasibility and support.
5. Location and logistics
Details of the proposed venue(s), including:
o Capacity of plenary and parallel session rooms
o Spaces for satellite meetings and posters
o Accessibility
o Accommodation options and transport connectivity
6. Scientific program (tentative)
A preliminary outline of the scientific program, including a tentative list of keynote and invited speakers, allowing assessment of scientific excellence, interdisciplinarity, gender balance, and geographical diversity.
7. Expected participation
Estimated number of participants, contributed talks, posters, and satellite events.
8. Budget and financial plan
Preliminary budget including:
o Estimated costs (venue, logistics, technical support, invited speakers, etc.)
o Registration fee structure
o Sponsorship strategy and institutional support
o Risk mitigation
Registration fees must include the annual CSS membership, which will be transferred to the Society after the conference. Proposals must also include a plan for the Open
Arms Grant, integrated into the budget from the outset, in line with CSS guidelines.
9. Equity, inclusion, and sustainability measures
Concrete actions to support accessibility, equity, and diversity (e.g. Open Arms Grants, childcare options, accessibility services), as well as measures to reduce the environmental impact of the conference.
10. Additional materials (optional)
Any supplementary material, such as letters of institutional support or short promotional videos (e.g. from local institutions or tourist boards).
Evaluation process
Bids will be evaluated by the CCS Steering Committee based on feasibility, scientific quality, inclusivity, financial sustainability, and alignment with the values of the Complex Systems Society, as detailed in the CCS Vademecum. The evaluation process will take place within a maximum of two months following the call deadline.
Within this timeframe, the selected proposal will be submitted for final approval to the CSS Executive Committee, and all bidding teams will be informed of the decision taken by the CSS Executive Committee within two months of the call closure.
Attachments
This vademecum serves as a practical and institutional guide for the organization of the Conference on Complex Systems (CCS), the flagship annual meeting of the Complex Systems Society (CSS). Its purpose is to consolidate the collective experience of past editions into a structured reference document that assists future organizers in planning, managing, and executing the conference effectively. The document covers the main phases of the conference lifecycle — from the bid preparation to post-event reporting — providing recommendations, procedures, and examples of good practice. It aims to ensure coherence and continuity across different editions while preserving the flexibility needed to adapt to local circumstances, institutional contexts, and the evolving nature of complexity science.