Registration

Registration will open soon for the American Ornithological Society (AOS) 2026 meeting (AOS 2026), 3–7 August 2026, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in Amherst, Mass., U.S.A. Registration for AOS 2026 will be handled through the AOS Member Portal. Our planning has centered around creating an exciting, engaging, accessible, and affordable conference.

All attendees, volunteers, and companions and guests of conference participants are expected to agree and adhere to the AOS 2026 Meeting Code of Conduct.

2026 Registration Rates

^aAll rates are in US$. Rates for members apply to anyone who is a current member of the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Non-members are encouraged to apply for membership in the Society before registering for the conference to qualify for member rates. Note that AOS membership is required to receive an AOS Travel Grant.

^bEarly Professional rates are for postdocs and those who have completed their terminal degree within the past five years.  

^cRegular Registration rates apply from 15 July until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on 16 July.

^dLate Registration rates apply 16 July through the end of our meeting.

* TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please read the AOS 2026 Meeting Terms & Conditions before registering for the meeting. Note: If you are not an AOS member or you do not have an account in the AOS Membership Portal, you will need to create an account before you register for the meeting. The registration cancellation fee is $100.

A Note to U.S. Federal Employees

U.S. Federal employees who are unable to pay for registration by the early-bird deadline may still register by 31 May without payment using the Invoice Me option. Federal employees who are planning to present a talk or poster should also submit an early-bird extension request using this form so that the Scientific Program Committee is aware of the request and can coordinate with them on the program schedule.

Registration Login

Please make note of the exact format of your last name as it appears in the Contact Info section of the registration form (i.e., your profile in the Portal). Your last name, as it is displayed there, will be used as your login for the event platform.

Adding Events After Registering

If you would like to add an event to your registration after you’ve already registered for the meeting, please follow these instructions.

Assistance with Registration

If you have any questions or need any assistance with registration, please submit a help ticket using the online Help Desk form. This form is monitored by multiple individuals and will provide the quickest response. If you need to register and make a payment at a later date using an invoice, please complete your registration using these Invoice Me instructions. Please note that all open invoices must be paid by 30 June 2026, to ensure admittance to the meeting.

Special Registration Rates

Special Countries Rates

The AOS is providing a registration discount for residents of countries identified by the World Bank as one of the following economies: (1) low-income economy, (2) lower-middle income economy, or (3) upper-middle-income economy. The list of qualifying countries can be found here. Special country registrants will have an opportunity to indicate their special country status on the registration form, upon which they will receive a coupon code that can be used when entering their payment information.

One-Day Registration

One-day registrants must wear their badge for access to the meeting programs and qualifying events:

• All scientific program sessions and non-ticketed training workshops being held that day (one-day registrants may purchase tickets to fee-based workshops separately)
• Networking events and refreshment breaks being held that day
• Opening reception or closing event, if applicable

Companion/Guest Registration

The AOS is pleased to offer the companion/guest registration rate as a courtesy for individuals who are accompanying a participant of the conference in a non-professional capacity. This fee should not be used for those presenting papers or otherwise attending the conference as professionals. Companions/guests of conference registrants must be registered and wear their badge for access to the conference programs and qualifying events. All companion/guest badges are purchased during the registration process for the primary conference attendee and are tied to the primary registrant’s account. Companions and guests of conference participants are expected to adhere to the AOS 2026 Meeting Code of Conduct.

Registration fees for Attendees and Companion Guests include:

• Attendance at plenary, concurrent, and poster sessions
• Evening keynote speaker
• Opening reception and closing event
• Networking events
• Access to the conference app for program listings 

Note: Companion/Guest badges DO NOT include access to educational/training workshops or other paid events/activities (e.g., Fun Walk/Run). During online registration, the primary registrant must purchase additional tickets for any of these paid activities if their companion/guest wishes to attend them.

Financial Assistance

Enjoy discounted registration fees by becoming a member of the AOS. Join today!

Meeting Volunteers

We are looking for a dedicated group of volunteers to help make the American Ornithological Society 2026 meeting a spectacular success! We are asking volunteers who are planning to attend the conference to work at least 10 hours total (including any required training) in exchange for $120 off of registration to AOS 2026. Learn more about this opportunity!

Student Travel Grants

The AOS provides Travel Grants for students (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral) as well as postdocs to help defray travel expenses associated with attending our annual meetings. This application period closes on 15 March 2026.

Learn more about these grants programs.

Caregiver Grants

The AOS is offering grants to offset the extra costs incurred by caregivers (such as parents of young children or those providing elder-care) to attend the annual meeting. Any conference registrant is eligible, although priority will be given to presenters and early-career researchers. Applicants can apply for Travel Grants as well as Caregiver Grants. This application period closes on 15 March 2026.

Funds may be used in any manner to support dependent care—to cover the cost of travel to the conference venue for an accompanying adult caregiver, the cost of dependent care at the conference venue, the cost of additional dependent care at home during the conference, etc. Applicants may also request Caregiver Grants to cover the Companion/Guest registration fee, which would allow the caregiver to attend all regular events at the conference. Funds cannot be used for conference registration or travel for the applicant.

Workshops & Training Opportunities

Workshops and training opportunities are fee-based sessions offer opportunities both for hands-on learning exercises, where participants engage in a mix of lectures and activities, and for panel discussions on a wide range of timely topics highlighting exciting advances in ornithological research, management, social justice, education, and conservation. Sign up for these workshops during the registration process.

Accommodations

Please note: Meeting registration fees do not include accommodations. There are a few housing options for Amherst. The AOS has contracted a limited number of sleeping rooms at Hotel UMass. Conveniently located in the Campus Center, Hotel UMass offers easy access to meeting spaces, the University Store, and several newly renovated dining options. 

Additionally, there are two on-campus lodging options for AOS attendees that include air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned residence halls.  To receive group rates, reservations should be made by the deadlines listed on the Accommodations & Travel Resources website page, which lists details, rates, and cancellation policies.

Cancellation of reservations and other accommodations are subject to the specific policies and booking deadlines for the hotel and residence halls. Local transportation options are listed on the Transportation page of the conference website.

Field Trips & Activities

Exciting field trips are being planned by the Local Planning Committee. Organized birding tours are available before and during the conference. Registration for these field trips is open only to AOS 2026 meeting registrants and will be available soon. For details on these opportunities, visit our Field Trips page (page will be available soon).

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy

If you find it necessary to cancel your registration, we are able to refund your conference fee costs in full if cancellation notice is received prior to May 31, 2026. We are able to refund conference fee costs (less a $100 USD processing fee) if we receive notice between June 1 and June 30, 2026. Refunds on registration fees will not be issued for cancellations received after 30 June 2026, except for individuals with illness from a communicable respiratory virus including Influenza, RSV, measles, or COVID-19 in which the recommended self-isolation period precludes travel to or attendance at the conference. The meeting will follow current U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Refunds will not be issued for “no-show” registrants for any reason. All refunds will be processed at the time of cancellation.

Cancellation Procedures. If you registered online, you can cancel your registration by submitting a cancellation request via the Cancellation Request Form. If you have questions about cancellation processing, please send an email to info@americanornithology.org with the subject line: ‘AOS 2026 Cancellation Request.’

Substitutions will not be made at any time, regardless of circumstance. Please cancel the registration, and book a new registration.

Read the complete AOS 2026 Terms & Conditions.