The International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving From Nature (PPSN) is a biannual open forum fostering the study of natural models, iterative optimization heuristics, machine learning, and other artificial intelligence approaches. PPSN was originally designed to bring together researchers and practitioners in the field of Natural Computing, the study of computing approaches that are gleaned from natural models. Today, the conference series has evolved and welcomes works on all types of iterative optimization heuristics. Notably, we also welcome submissions on connections between search heuristics and machine learning or other artificial intelligence approaches. Submissions covering the entire spectrum of work, ranging from rigorously derived mathematical results to carefully crafted empirical studies, are invited.

Following PPSN’s unique tradition, all accepted papers will be presented during poster sessions and will be included in the proceedings. The proceedings will be published in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series by Springer.

PPSN 2026 will be hosted at the University of Trento. Located in the middle of one of the most beautiful mountain regions in northern Italy, Trento is a medium-sized city, just a few kilometers away from the Dolomites and the Garda Lake, famous for its cultural and sports activities. In the last decade, Trento has established itself as an internationally recognised center for AI, offering a rich ecosystem of research institutions and R&D companies, and hosting an ELLIS Unit (https://ellis.eu/units/trento).

All information regarding the conference organization, call for papers/tutorials/workshops, submission, registration, venue, etc. will be provided and constantly updated on our website (https://ppsn2026.disi.unitn.it/) and on our social media channels. In case of any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at ppsn2026@unitn.it.