On 30 July 2026, the Government of Taiwan officially recognized the Siraya as an Indigenous People, making them Taiwan’s 17th officially recognized Indigenous group. The Siraya are also the first Plains Indigenous community to complete the recognition process under the Status Act for Plains Indigenous Peoples.

This milestone reflects Taiwan’s continuing commitment to cultural diversity, social inclusion, and the recognition of Indigenous identities. It also demonstrates the ongoing evolution of public dialogue toward greater respect, equity, and understanding among different communities.

As we prepare to welcome you to ICOM ICME 2026 in Taiwan, we warmly invite you to experience the richness of Taiwan’s diverse cultures and communities firsthand.

Registration for the pre- and post-conference study tours will open soon. We encourage you to take this opportunity to explore Taiwan’s unique cultural landscapes and engage with the living diversity that makes Taiwan so special.

This important development reminds us that museums, communities, and cultural institutions all have a vital role to play in supporting dialogue, recognition, and social inclusion. We look forward to continuing these conversations together at ICOM ICME 2026 in Taiwan.

We look forward to welcoming you to Taiwan!

Sing-Da Huang
Conference Chair
ICOM ICME 2026 Annual Conference

The hotel booking link will be updated on the conference website soon. Please check back for the latest information.

Dear colleagues and friends,
Registration for the ICME 2026 Annual Conference is now officially open. We warmly invite museum professionals, researchers, educators, and cultural practitioners from around the world to join us in Taiwan.

Following a rigorous review by our international panel of experts, acceptance notifications for submitted papers will begin to be issued today.

We are pleased to note that, due to the strong response and high quality of submissions, additional papers have been selectively accepted in order to support a broader and more diverse range of scholarly and professional dialogue.

All applicants are kindly reminded to check the email address used during submission for notification details.

We sincerely thank all contributors for their excellent submissions and look forward to welcoming you to ICME 2026 in Taiwan.

Warm regards,
Sing-Da Huang
Chair, ICME 2026

Thank you for your enthusiastic participation in 2026 ICME annual conference in Taiwan.

We are delighted to share that we have received nearly 200 abstract submissions from researchers and curators representing more than 45 countries around the world. We sincerely appreciate the strong interest and support from the international community.

Notification of acceptance will be announced on June 15, 2026. At that time, conference registration will open, and information regarding travel grants and will also be announced.

Dr. Sing-Da Huang
Conference Chair, 2026 ICME Annual Conference in Taiwan

The 2026 ICME Conference, held under the theme "Recovery and Regeneration: Museums as Spaces of Healing, Continuity, and Transformation," closely resonates with this year's International Museum Day theme, "Museums Uniting a Divided World." Together, these themes highlight the role of museums as spaces for healing, understanding, dialogue, and connection in contemporary society.

At a time when the world needs dialogue more than ever, how can museums become places where people meet across differences in culture, generation, and perspective? How might museums accompany communities toward recovery, inclusion, and shared futures? We warmly invite colleagues and friends from around the world to join this conversation to share experiences, exchange ideas, and reflect together on the evolving role of museums in our time. We look forward to welcoming you to ICME 2026.

ICOM ICME will award one (1) travel grant of €1,200 to support a member whose paper has been accepted for presentation at the ICME 2026 Annual Conference in Taiwan (18-24 October 2026).

Application Schedule Application period: 15 June - 31 July 2026
Notification of results: 15 August 2026
The Travel Grant application will open together with conference registration on 15 June 2026, when the list of accepted abstracts is announced.
Priority may be given to early-career scholars and applicants from underrepresented regions, in line with ICOM principles.

Note The grant may only be used for travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare and accommodation) and may not be used for conference-related social events. The grant will be reimbursed after the conference, based on valid receipts submitted, and only up to the awarded amount.
The grantee is responsible for paying their expenses in advance and submitting all receipts after the event for reimbursement.

Eligibility Criteria ‧Has been accepted to present at the ICOM ICME 2026 Taiwan Annual Meeting
‧Is able to understand and communicate in English
‧Is a museum professional or equivalent
‧Is an individual member of ICOM and ICME
‧Is in good standing with membership dues
‧Has not received an ICME travel grant in the past three years

Application Materials Please submit your application via the designated link, including:
‧Completed and signed application form
‧A statement (max. 500 words) outlining your motivation for attending and expected benefits
‧Curriculum vitae (maximum one page), including education, work experience, publications, and current responsibilities
‧A copy of a valid travel document (passport or ID card)

The grantee will be required to submit a brief report and/or complete a questionnaire within two weeks after the meeting, describing their experience and contributions to ICOM activities.

We sincerely hope you will join us in Taiwan for this important gathering. Your participation will help shape critical conversations and future directions for museums and cultural institutions worldwide.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to Taiwan in October 2026.

Sing-Da Huang
Conference Chair
ICME 2026 Annual Conference

The International Committee for Museums and Collections of Ethnography (ICME) warmly invites colleagues worldwide to submit proposals for the ICME 2026 Annual Conference, to be held from 18-24 October 2026 in Taiwan.
Full submission guidelines are available on the conference website:
https://2026icme.org.tw/

Conference Theme Recovery and Regeneration: Museums as Spaces of Healing, Continuity, and Transformation
As ICME returns to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time in nearly two decades, Taiwan offers a meaningful context shaped by layered histories, Indigenous presence, and vibrant cultural diversity. The conference explores how museums can recover marginalized voices, regenerate cultural knowledge, and support communities through periods of transformation.

Conference Schedule & Locations The conference is designed as a journey across Taiwan, integrating professional exchange with cultural engagement:
18-19 October 2026 (Central Taiwan) - Museum visits and professional exchange activities
20-22 October 2026 (Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan) - Main conference sessions, keynote speeches, and meetings
23-24 October 2026 (Eastern Taiwan) - Museum visits and cultural exchange

Call for Contributions We welcome submissions in a variety of formats:
Paper presentations (max. 15 minutes)
Digital posters
Short videos
Ignite talks (max. 5 minutes)

Abstract submission deadline: 10 May 2026
Notification of acceptance: 15 June 2026
Conference registration will open upon announcement of accepted abstracts.
Travel Grant information is available in a separate announcement.

Experience Taiwan We warmly invite you to Taiwan-a place where Indigenous heritage, historical encounters, and contemporary creativity come together. Beyond the conference sessions, participants will have opportunities to engage with museums and communities across the island.

We look forward to welcoming you to Taiwan in October 2026.

Sing-Da Huang
Conference Chair
ICME 2026 Annual Conference

ICME 2026 Annual Conference Initial announcements include:
‧Call for Papers announced (28 February 2026)
‧Call for Papers opens (20 March 2026)
‧Abstract submission deadline (10 May 2026)
‧Review results announced and registration opens (15 June 2026)

More updates will be announced soon.