2026 ANZCA CTN Strategic Research Workshop

Welcome

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is excited to bring the 2026 CTN Workshop to the Gold Coast. This flagship annual event brings together more than 200 fellows, trainees, and research co-ordinators from across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to collaborate on new trial designs, explore cutting-edge methodology, and strengthen connections across our network. The workshop provides invaluable opportunities for networking, mentorship, and skill development for all members of our network. 

Venue

The 2026 ANZCA CTN strategic research workshop will be held at QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise, Qld, 4217.

About the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network

The ANZCA CTN is a world-leading network of anaesthetists, trainees and research co-ordinators dedicated to designing and delivering high-quality, investigator-led clinical trials in perioperative medicine and pain management. These trials address clinically important questions that matter to practitioners, patients, and policy makers. With more than 130 participating hospital sites worldwide, CTN-endorsed trials have produced high-impact publications, influenced clinical guidelines, and improved patient outcomes across our region and internationally.
For more information about the ANZCA CTN, please visit the website.

Aims of the 2026 workshop

The primary aims of the workshop are to:

1. Develop new research proposals and pilot studies that can progress to competitive funding applications for large, multicentre international trials.

2. Mentor and support fellows, trainees, research co-ordinators to conduct high-quality clinical trials at their local sites.

3. Explore the latest topics in research methodology, trial management, and sector-wide developments.

4. Strengthen the research workforce by providing education, mentoring, and networking for early- and mid-career investigators.

The workshop provides a pathway for investigators to refine protocols and early-stage ideas through peer-reviewed feedback from experienced trialists, keynote statisticians and methodologists, and workshop delegates. Exploratory studies are supported through the ANZCA Foundation’s pilot and project grant schemes, generating the feasibility data required to optimise future large-scale grant applications.

What we’re planning

Alongside new proposal development sessions, the 2026 program will feature two concurrent streams on Friday 21 August: a clinical trials operations stream for research coordinators, research nurses, site investigators and study teams, and a research methodology stream for new and emerging researchers. The workshop will conclude with the much-anticipated Great Debate, a fast-paced and interactive session exploring contemporary topics in perioperative research.

The social program will combine formal social events with informal networking opportunities, including pre-workshop coffee catch-ups, to encourage connection and collaboration beyond the main program. 

Key dates

Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts will open in early 2026 and close on 17 April 2026. Authors will be notified of acceptance in mid May 2026.

Registration

Registration will open in May 2026.

Workshop dates

Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026

The workshop opens with a networking lunch from 12.30–1.30pm on Friday 21 August 2026, giving delegates time to reconnect before the plenary program begins. The afternoon will feature two concurrent streams: one on clinical trial operations for research co-ordinators and site teams, and another on research methodology for new and emerging investigators. Experienced researchers are strongly encouraged to attend to support collaboration and mentorship for the next generation of clinical trialists.

The main workshop will conclude on Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11.45am followed by a grab and go lunch. 

Social functions

Anaesthesia Research Co-ordinators Network (ARCN) annual networking dinner

The ARCN annual networking dinner will be held on Friday 21 August onsite at the QT Gold Coast. 

Networking reception for trainees, fellows and collaborators

For delegates not attending the ARCN dinner, a networking reception will be held immediately after the program concludes on Friday 21 August. Delegates are then free to make their own dinner arrangements from 6.30pm onwards.

CTN conference dinner

The CTN conference dinner will be held on Saturday 22 August at Southport Yacht Club (7 min drive) and is open to all delegates. Bus transfers will be provided to and from the dinner. 

Call for abstracts now open

Call for abstracts is now open. Abstract guidelines and submission form is available here. Abstracts will close at 5pm AEST on 17 April 2026. 

The purpose of the CTN workshop is to help in the design of high quality trials that translate into safe and effective practice in anaesthesia, perioperative and pain medicine. Proposals must therefore be directly relevant to this goal. Note that proposals for pilot work may be considered provided the pilot is specifically designed to gather information that would assist in the design of a larger trial. The primary aim of the CTN is to support multi-site trials however in exceptional circumstances the CTN workshop may consider single centre trials. Note that proposals that describe purely observational studies with only indirect relevance to future trials will not be considered.

Abstracts will be triaged for presentation based on the following guidelines:

• The grant application scheme and deadline.

• The new proposal focuses on the preparation of a clinical trial.

• Proposals that are not clearly linked to a future clinical trial will not be sent for review.

• Abstracts must state three key issues which you would like feedback from the group at the workshop either around methodology or feasibility.

• Proposals will be selected by the reviewers who they think will benefit the most from the discussion at the online and face-to-face sessions and align with the strategic aims of the CTN.

• Proposals will also be considered from principal investigators where they are seeking feedback on particular issues around the conduct of a trial that has already started in network.

The Emerging Investigator Prize 

The Emerging Investigator Prize at the 2026 ANZCA CTN Strategic Research Workshop is an exciting opportunity for early-career clinician researchers in anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine to showcase their work. This prestigious award recognises outstanding research contributions and aims to foster innovation and academic excellence within the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network. The winner will receive a $A1,000 prize generously donated by the ANZCA Foundation. 

Applications will be assessed based on eligibility, scientific merit, alignment with anaesthesia and pain research, and the potential to lead studies at Australian or New Zealand hospital sites.

To apply, researchers must submit an abstract through the CTN Workshop’s abstract submission process by 17 April 2026. Applications will be triaged by a selection panel of the ANZCA CTN Executive, with final selection based on eligibility and scientific merit. A judging panel, appointed by the ANZCA CTN Executive, will determine the winner based on a structured evaluation process outlined in the guidelines. 

Please note: Applicants must be registered to attend the CTN workshop to have their abstract accepted into the program. 

For more details on eligibility, submission requirements, and selection criteria, please view the guidelines or contact the ANZCA CTN office. 

Continuing professional development (CPD)

More information will be available soon.

Sponsorship

Expression of Interest: Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 ANZCA CTN workshop

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) invites expressions of interest from organisations interested in sponsoring the 2026 CTN Workshop on the Gold Coast.

Sponsorship will be considered from organisations offering high-quality products, technologies, or services relevant to investigator-led clinical research and perioperative care, and who are seeking to build meaningful, long-term relationships with the CTN community.

We value the long-standing support of partners across the clinical trials sector and warmly invite interested organisations to view the online prospectus and submit an expression of interest.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us.