FAQs
Attire
What should I wear? What should I wear?
The 2026 V Foundation for Cancer Research Summit begins the evening of May 12th with an optional, informal welcome event. Short-sleeved T-shirts for attendees will be provided to attendees at hotel check-in. If you are not staying at the hotel, please let us know in advance. We ask that you wear your T-shirt to the Tuesday evening welcome event so other guests can easily identify you as a V grantee!
Attire for the V Summit meetings is business casual. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the Flash Talk sessions, as grantees will be walking and standing while presenting.
The evening event at ZincHouse will be elevated business casual—feel free to dress up slightly from the daytime meetings while keeping it comfortable and relaxed. Examples include dress shirts, golf shirts, tailored pants, and casual dresses.
Attire for the V Summit meetings is business casual. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the Flash Talk sessions, as grantees will be walking and standing while presenting.
The evening event at ZincHouse will be elevated business casual—feel free to dress up slightly from the daytime meetings while keeping it comfortable and relaxed. Examples include dress shirts, golf shirts, tailored pants, and casual dresses.
My T-shirt is the wrong size, what should I do? My T-shirt is the wrong size, what should I do?
The Grants team has a limited number of additional shirts available. Please let a team member know if you need to exchange for a different size.
Travel and Transportation
How do I make hotel accommodations? How do I make hotel accommodations?
The V Foundation’s V Summit room block at the Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport is available for the nights of Tuesday, May 12th and Wednesday, May 13th at a rate of $259 per night. If you plan to extend your stay beyond these dates, please contact the hotel directly for availability and pricing information. Please visit the “Hotel & Travel” tab for important details regarding transportation and hotel logistics. All grantees requiring accommodations are responsible for reserving their own room in the room block. The reservation deadline is April 10th, 2026.
Am I required to reserve a room at the Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport Hotel? Am I required to reserve a room at the Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport Hotel?
Booking a room in our block is not required. If you choose to make other arrangements, please let us know for planning purposes. Please note that you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation and arriving at the meeting locations on time.
How do I get from RDU airport to the hotel? How do I get from RDU airport to the hotel?
Please see the “Hotel & Travel Information” tab for more information.
Will transportation be provided during the conference? Will transportation be provided during the conference?
Yes. Group transportation between the meeting venue, hotel, and scheduled social events will be provided for all attendees. A shuttle itinerary will be distributed at hotel check-in.
Will transportation be provided to the airport or back to the hotel at the end of the Summit? Will transportation be provided to the airport or back to the hotel at the end of the Summit?
Yes. One shuttle will depart from SAS Institute to RDU Airport after the conclusion of the conference around 3:30pm ET on Thursday, May 14th. The arrival time at the airport cannot be guaranteed. If this does not align with your travel plans, we recommend making your own arrangements.
My flight leaves after May 14th, what are my options? My flight leaves after May 14th, what are my options?
The V Foundation’s V Summit room block is available for the nights of May 12 – May 13. If you choose to extend your stay beyond these dates, please contact the hotel directly to make additional arrangements. Contact details can be found on the “Hotel and Travel” tab.
Flash Talks
What do I need to do to prepare for my flash talk? What do I need to do to prepare for my flash talk?
Grantees will be asked to submit a single PowerPoint slide by May 1st. Stay tuned for instructions and more information.
Brainstorm and bring along a written version of your flash talk (i.e., elevator pitch) which you will use during your workshop. Details to follow.
The May 13th Science Communication Workshop, “Telling a Science Story: Evidence-Based Strategies for Science Communication”, will help you further prepare for this presentation.
Brainstorm and bring along a written version of your flash talk (i.e., elevator pitch) which you will use during your workshop. Details to follow.
The May 13th Science Communication Workshop, “Telling a Science Story: Evidence-Based Strategies for Science Communication”, will help you further prepare for this presentation.
How will I know when I am scheduled to present? How will I know when I am scheduled to present?
A flash talk schedule will be provided closer to the conference.
Are there any time constraints for the flash talk? Are there any time constraints for the flash talk?
Yes. Your presentation should not exceed 2.5 minutes. Adhering to this time limit is essential to keeping the overall program on schedule.
Meals and Dining
What if I have dietary restrictions? What if I have dietary restrictions?
If you did indicate your dietary needs during registration or if you have additional information to share, we ask that you email us at [email protected] as soon as possible. Be sure to include any dietary restrictions, medical conditions, allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities so we can make appropriate accommodations.
Are meals provided to attendees during the Summit? Are meals provided to attendees during the Summit?
Yes, a light meal (passed hors d’oeuvres) will be provided at the welcome event on May 12th. On May 13th, breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. On May 14th, breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Additional Questions
What happens if I begin to feel sick during the event? What happens if I begin to feel sick during the event?
If you start to feel unwell and/or experience any symptoms consistent with a cold, COVID-19, or upper respiratory illness, please notify a staff member immediately. Our team will provide guidance on next steps.
What happens if my plans change and I am unable to attend the conference? Will I be invited to the next V Foundation for Cancer Research Summit? What happens if my plans change and I am unable to attend the conference? Will I be invited to the next V Foundation for Cancer Research Summit?
Please email [email protected] to let us know if you are unable to attend. Grantees are typically invited to our annual V Summit during their grant term. If you are interested in attending a year outside of your grant term, please reach out to our team.
Will there be a virtual or hybrid attendance option? Will there be a virtual or hybrid attendance option?
The entire conference is in-person. Virtual or hybrid attendance options will not be available.
I want to learn more about other V Grantees and the speakers at this event. Where should I go to find this information? I want to learn more about other V Grantees and the speakers at this event. Where should I go to find this information?
Information on attending early career investigators and speakers will be included in the printed program booklet in your welcome bag. A digital version of the program will also be available closer to the event.
Contact
How will I receive updates during the event? How will I receive updates during the event?
The V Foundation will share important updates during the Summit via a one-way SMS (text message) system. Instructions for joining on your mobile device will be provided prior to the event.
Who can I contact during the Summit if I have any issues, questions, or concerns? Who can I contact during the Summit if I have any issues, questions, or concerns?
For questions prior to the V Summit, please email [email protected].
An emergency contact cell phone number for use during the event will be shared closer to the V Summit dates.
An emergency contact cell phone number for use during the event will be shared closer to the V Summit dates.