FAQ

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Individuals who qualify for the Visa Waiver Program may still need to apply for a valid ESTA approval

To determine if you need a specific visa, please refer to our guidelines here or consult the official website of the United States Department of State. You can also contact your local United States embassy or consulate for assistance.

We recommend applying for your visa as early as possible to avoid scheduling delays and travel disruptions. The Fab Foundation will not provide refunds for purchased tickets in the event of an inability to obtain necessary visas.

Please submit the following form here and a PDF will be send to your email

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly at fabevents@fabfoundation.org.

Please submit the following form here and a PDF will be send to your email

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly at fabevents@fabfoundation.org.

The open call for applications are now open.

Timeline:

• Open call from January 19th - April 20th
• Approval Process: April 21st - May 1st

FAB26 Boston is the 22nd annual FABx event – the flagship global gathering for the Fab Lab and maker community – returning to Boston, the birthplace of the Fab Lab movement, after 10 years. This year’s theme, Reimagine the Future, will guide 6 exciting days of activities, bringing together 1,100 participants in the heart of Europe to explore digital fabrication, innovation, and collaboration. The event features inspiring keynotes, engaging talks, hands-on and theoretical workshops, networking opportunities, cultural experiences, and major highlights like the Fab Conference and Fab Festival.

FAB26 takes place from July 27 to 31, 2026, in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Area.

FAB26 is hosted by *The Fab Foundation and MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms with the support of international and local partners. You can find more information about organizers on this page.

FAB26 is expected to welcome:

• Fab Lab, maker space, and open space managers, staff, and members;
• Researchers in digital fabrication, innovation, and technology;
• Educators from all levels, particularly those focused on STEAM education;
• Students and learners of all ages;
• Makers passionate about digital fabrication and crafts;
• Industry professionals working in digital fabrication;
• Artists and designers;
• Entrepreneurs and innovators; and
• Policymakers shaping the future of technology and innovation.

In general, anyone interested in the program is welcome to attend!

If you couldn’t find the answer you’re looking for on this page, don’t worry! Feel free to reach out to us directly at fabevents@fabfoundation.org, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Yes, all venues in for FAB26 are fully accessible. If you have specific needs, please indicate them during registration or contact us at fabevents@fabfoundation.org.

While the primary focus of the event is not direct sales, we encourage attendees to engage with exhibitors to learn more about their offerings.

The detailed schedule (version 1) is now available here. Minute-by-minute schedule release is planned mid May 2026.

No, the program will be conducted exclusively in English. While there will be no direct translation into other languages, some materials may be available in additional languages for specific needs.

Yes, selected sessions will be live-streamed and recorded. This allows attendees to revisit content after the event or access it if they are unable to attend in person. The platform for accessing these sessions will be announced closer to the event dates. Youtube Channel

The schedule offers a blend of structured and independent time. You can expect networking events on most days – please see the schedule for specifics. Furthermore, two evenings will be free for you to explore the surrounding areas at your leisure. Beyond the planned activities, you are, of course, free to leave the event venue at any time and make your own arrangements. The full program details are available here.

Yes, you can! Simply make sure to fill out a separate application form for each category you want to participate in. However, it’s important to focus on the quality of your submissions rather than submitting multiple ideas. High-quality contributions will have a greater impact!

We welcome submissions that embrace the FAB26 theme of Reimagine the Future and push the work of the global Fab Lab network forward.

In general, most standard materials commonly used in FabLabs will be available. Once your workshop submission is pre-approved, you’ll be able to choose from a provided materials list up to a certain budget limit.

If you need specialized materials not on the list you can definitely bring them yourself.

You can propose content in the following categories:

• Workshops (hands-on or theoretical)
• Research Papers
• Talks
• Working Groups

For detailed information about each category, please visit this page.

No, as a rule, we do not provide free tickets, discounts, or cover expenses for accommodation, travel, or other costs. This decision was carefully made by the organizing team based on experiences from previous FABx event editions.

We will process submissions in batches. You will know the status of your proposal no later than the end of April 2026.

No, submissions after the deadline will not be accepted. We encourage you to submit your proposal as early as possible to ensure smooth organization and processing.

No, all submissions must be made through the application form on this website. The only exception is for Research Papers, which should be submitted via the external platform EasyChair.

We try to accommodate special requests, but locations and time slots are allocated based on the program’s overall schedule. If you have specific constraints, please mention them in your application.

If your proposal is not accepted, you’re still more than welcome to attend FAB26 and participate in all activities.

You can purchase a ticket to attend FAB26. A limited number of discounted early bird tickets are available, so don’t miss out! To buy your ticket and see how prices change over time, continue on this page.

STANDARD TICKETS include:

• 6-days of FAB26 access;
• Fab Conference keynotes, panels, talks and other formats;
• Fab Conference in-person workshops with provided materials;
• Entrance to all official networking activities and parties (will be listed in the main schedule);
• Access to the Fab Festival;
• Lunch every full day (will be marked in the main schedule);
• Coffee and water during the morning speaker sessions;
• FAB26 welcome kit;
• Special FAB26 partner deals; and
• Digital access to session recordings and resources post-event.
• Event Certificate of participation

All the materials for the workshops are included in the ticket price.

Please refer to the schedule page, it should give you a much clearer picture!

Quick overview:

• Until lunch we're all together in a big venue listening to keynotes, talks and panels;
• After lunch, we move to a workshop venue for more individualized session of hands-on and theoretical workshops, fast talks and working groups;
• In the evening, there is a networking activity (understand also as a party) planned for almost every day, hosted by local partners to highlight the city of Boston.

We recommend bringing the following essentials:

• Comfortable clothing for summer weather;
• Your ID, passport, and visa (if needed);
• Travel medical insurance;
• Credit or debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, and other major cards are widely accepted, as are contactless payments);
• Any medication you usually take;
• A laptop, which may be useful during workshops;
• Business cards for networking opportunities;
• A poncho or raincoat, just in case of rain;
• A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce waste (free water refills will be available in venues);
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself during outdoor activities; and
• Headphones (which may be useful during workshops).

With these items, you’ll be all set to make the most of your FAB26 experience!

The recommended ways to arrive in Boston are summarized here.

We encourage participants to choose the most eco-friendly mode of transport whenever possible. Consider traveling by train, bus, or carpooling if you're coming from nearby states. Let's make FAB26 as sustainable as possible!

Each participant is responsible for booking their own accommodation in the Greater Boston Area, based on their preferences. We are currently securing special deals with various accommodations to suit different budgets. Recommendations for hotels and other lodging options will be published on our website. Stay tuned!

If you’re in a rush and need to book accommodation now, we recommend using popular lodging platforms available in the United States, such as Booking.com or Airbnb.

All accommodation deals for the conference can be found here

To ensure a pleasant and safe environment for everyone, we kindly ask that you do not bring weapons (such as guns, knives, or similar items), animals (with the exception of certified service animals), or harsh chemicals into the venues.