FAQs
How do I register for the conference?
Registration for HR27 is now open! Registrations can be completed online via the HR27 registration portal. First you must create an account or log in to your previous account. Once logged in, complete or update all your personal details and then complete payment. Your registration will be complete once payment has been accepted. If you have opted to pay your registration by bank transfer, please allow up to 14 days from payment for your account to be updated.
How much does it cost to attend?
Pricing is tiered according to your country's income category (high or low income, according to the World Bank classifications). We are also offering discounted Early Bird rates for delegates who register before 15 January 2027. All prices are in GBP and are subject to VAT at 20%. You can find a full list of prices on the registration page.
What is included in the cost of registration?
Registration includes an invitation to the formal conference opening (9 May), access to all presentations, workshops, networking events and all other dedicated areas throughout the four-day event, tea, coffee and working lunch on all days, a conference bag and programme, and access to the conference app.
The delegate fee does not include any travel, insurance and accommodation costs, which have to be arranged and paid directly by delegates.
What payment methods do you offer for registration?
Our online system accepts payments by credit card, apple pay, google pay, PayPal or bank transfer. Please note that charges will be made in GBP.
Can I get a free registration as a journalist?
Journalists, photographers and videographers who are either employees of or on assignment for a recognised print, radio, broadcast or online consumer, medical or community-based media outlet are eligible to apply for complimentary media registration. Media registration will open in early 2027.
Please note that we cannot accept applications for media credentials from representatives of media outlets that are not directly involved in journalism. Communications support professionals attached to research, advocacy or policy organisations are not considered media and must register as a regular delegate.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
Scholarships are offered to those who have submitted an abstract which has been accepted as part of the HR27 Programme by our Online Review Committee and Programme Committee. An applicationis made when you submit an abstract. Please only apply for a a scholarship if you are unable to travel to Belfast through your own means.
When will I find out if my abstract submission/scholarship application has been successful?
Abstract and scholarship outcome notifications will be sent at the end of 2026. If you haven't received an email, check your online account.
What does a scholarship cover?
You can apply for various levels of support, from a registration waiver to a full scholarship, which covers travel, accommodation, registration and per diem. Please only apply for the support that you really need.
I am currently under a post-graduate fellowship, can I get student discount?
Given that you are waged full-time under a fellowship, you won't be able to access the 'low-income, unwaged' fee.
Can I make a group booking?
You can make a group booking directly through our system by searching for each registrant by email address and then add them to your cart.
If a registrant is found in the system, you can add them to the cart via a button. You can also remove registrants from the cart. If a person has already paid for their registration, this will be shown in the search results and you will not be able to add them to the cart. If you search for a person who is not found in the system, there is an option to create an account for them.
How do I change the contact email for my registration account?
Simply log into your account and edit the primary email address listed under your contact details. All future correspondence will be sent to the new address.
Can I change my registration or update my information?
Yes, by logging into your account. It is the sole responsibility of each delegate to provide accurate and up to date information.
What time does the conference start and finish?
The conference programme timings will be as follows:
Sunday 9 May 2027
13.00-16.00: Registration
16.00-18.00: Opening Ceremony
Monday 10 May & Tuesday 11 May
09.30-18.00: Conference Sessions
Wednesday 12 May 2027
09.30-16.00: Conference Sessions
16.30-18.00: Closing Ceremony
Will there be harm reduction and other healthcare services available on site?
We are committed to ensuring that our event provides and facilitates appropriate care for all delegates who may have special medical and healthcare needs, especially delegates who use drugs, or who are living with HIV, viral hepatitis or TB. We will publish more details about our wellbeing services closer to the event. If you have specific questions, please do email us.
Will I have the opportunity to attend the conference virtually?
We know that not everyone who would like to be part of HR27 will be able to travel to Belfast, and making the conference as accessible as possible remains an important priority for us.
After carefully reviewing online participation at recent conferences, we have decided not to offer a live virtual conference option for HR27. While previous conferences included live-streamed sessions, online discussion, and virtual-only content, demand for live online participation was lower than anticipated. This made it difficult to provide a high-quality and financially sustainable experience for virtual delegates.
For HR27, we will be recording a selection of conference sessions and making them available after the event. More information will be available closer to the conference.
Will there be site visits to local harm reduction programmes?
Yes, our partners in Belfast are working hard to arrange site visits to local services. More details will be available closer to the event.
What is the name of the venue?
HR27 will be held at the ICC Belfast.
Can I attend the conference as a Conference Collective member?
Being a Conference Collective member does not automatically give you access to HR27; you will still need to pay for registration. However, by becoming a member you save so much on conference registration that your membership virtually pays for itself and you get to enjoy perks at the conference!
My organisation would like to sponsor/have an exhibition stand/advertise at the conference. How do we do this?
Please get in touch with us to discuss sponsorship opportunities and packages. To view sponsorship opportunites and download our sponsorship brochure, click here.
I am part of an organisation, how can we showcase our work?
If you'd like to showcase the work our organisation does, you can book a stand in our exhibition space. By booking a stand you will get access for two delegates to the conference.
How is the programme built?
Our programme is 90% abstract-based, meaning we open a call for abstracts in August 2026 for about two months. Each asbtract is then reviewd by our Online Review Commitee and later by our Programme Committee that gets together in person and online for three days to build the programme for the conference.
How do I submit an abstract?
Abstracts are submitted through our online system.
Abstract submission will be opening in August 2026.
Can we present as a pair or as a group?
HR27 prefers that one person presents each abstract. If there’s a good reason for two or more people to present one abstract, please get in touch. We are only able to print the lead author’s name in the conference programme and only one person will be considered for a scholarship.
Can I submit my abstract in any language?
Abstracts are submitted and presented in English. Wordly will be available across the conference for translation.
Can I submit an abstract for a whole panel?
HR27 only accepts abstracts for individual papers within a panel. There is a tick box that allows you to suggest that your abstract should be considered with another.
How many abstracts can I submit?
There is no limit as to how many abtracts you are allowed to submit, as long as they cover relevant topics. Please note that HR27 operates a rule of one - you will only be allowed to present once. Make sure to submit your best work and the one you'd like to present most!
Are posters presented physically or digitally?
Posters will be presented digitally. With last year's success introducing digtal posters, we will be implementing this method again for HR27.
Can I use slides during a Dialogue Space presentation?
The Dialogue Space is designed to foster discussion and collaboration amongst the people attending. Therefore, no slide presentations are allowed in this space.
I am unable to attend and present, can someone present my accepted abstract in my name?
If you are unable to attend HR27 and have an abstract accepted, you can choose someone to present your abstract for you. This person must have registered and created an account for the abstract to be transfered to their account. If they haven't registered to the conference yet, we can transfer your paid registration to them. Don't forget the 'Rule of One' - they will only be able to present your abstract if they're not already on the programme.
Can I volunteer at the conference?
Absolutely! Applications will open in October 2026. We will be in touch with all applicants by the end of January 2027. You can read more about roles and responsibilites here.
Do I need a visa?
Whether you need a visa to attend HR27 in Belfast, depends on your nationality. We strongly recommend checking the latest guidance on the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website before making travel arrangements. Visitors from visa-exempt countries, including EU nationals since 1 April 2025, may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance to enter the UK, so please ensure you apply in good time. Requirements can change, so always rely on official sources for the most up-to-date information.
Can I visit Ireland with the same visa/permit?
To visit Dublin or other places in the Republic of Ireland, you might need to apply for a separate visa. Please check government official websites for more information. There is a short stay visa waiver programme for a small list of countries that can enter with a UK short-stay visa that you'll find here.
I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
If written notification of cancellation is received before Friday 26 February 2027, 80% of the registration fee will be refunded. If written notification of cancellation is received before Friday 26 March 2027, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded. We regret that no refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date.
Please read our terms and conditions for full information.
Can I host 2029?
Information about submitting an expression of interest to host HR29 will be available soon. Please note that if you are bidding as a convention bureau or similar, you will need to engage a local harm reduction partner.