The Paediatric Excellence Initiative (PEI) are honoured to host the inaugural National Paediatric Translational Research Conference (NPTRC) on the 15^th and 16^th October 2026 at Sheffield City Hall.

The PEI was founded from the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (GOSH BRC) award in 2022, and is a collaboration between Great Ormond Street, Alder Hey, Birmingham and Sheffield Children’s Hospitals. The PEI delivers a programme of early translational research to improve the lives of children with rare and complex conditions. We hope this landmark event will serve as a catalyst for the PEI to maximize the value of the NIHR investment, driving innovative paediatric healthcare research collaborations across the UK.

The conference will be co-hosted by GOSH Charity, which has supported the Paediatric Excellence Initiative (PEI) since its establishment in 2022. The PEI closely aligns with the charity’s research strategy, particularly its focus on collaborative partnerships, national investment in high-quality paediatric research, and the development of early career researchers and non-medical healthcare professionals. GOSH Charity supports the PEI through a combination of funding initiatives and dedicated resource, working in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital and the NIHR GOSH Biomedical Research Centre to advance impactful research for children and young people.

The event programme has been developed to showcase cutting-edge science, collaborative approaches, and emerging technologies shaping the future of child health across the NIHR UK network focused on four key themes

• Advanced therapeutics
• Genomic medicine and –omics
• Data, AI and devices
• Therapeutic safety and efficacy

Thursday 15 October:

A half day event dedicated to paediatric early career researchers (ECRs), offering a platform to showcase ECR work, connect with peers and build the professional networks essential for launching an independent research career.

Welcome reception and gala dinner

We invite all delegates to join us for the event welcome drinks reception and networking dinner at the Sheffield Winter Garden (sponsored by Sheffield city Council) and the Millennium Gallery.

Friday 16 October:

The wider paediatric translational research community will convene for sessions and keynote addresses by prominent UK healthcare figures.

Sheffield will host the event in 2026, in part, to mark Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s 150 years of unwavering commitment to providing healthier futures for children and young people. We believe the event will provide a fitting celebration for an important year for paediatric translational research in the city coinciding with the grand opening of the National Centre for Child Health Technology based at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Beyond Sheffield, 2026 stands as a truly landmark year for medical innovation and institutional excellence. It marks 25 years since the first gene therapy was administered—a pioneering breakthrough that continues to transform the treatment of paediatric rare diseases worldwide. University College London will proudly celebrate its bicentenary, while the UCL Institute of Child Health reaches an impressive 80 years of advancing research and improving outcomes for children. Just four months after the Conference, Great Ormond Street Hospital will commemorate an extraordinary 175 years of delivering world-class care. Adding to these remarkable milestones, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) celebrates 20 years of driving world-leading health and social care research, including unparalleled support for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility

Registration is open until 15 September 2026. Discounted places are available to Early Career Researchers*.

This event is aimed at paediatric researchers and healthcare professionals across all disciplines and specialties. Attendance from industry partners, policymakers, and programme and operations managers is also welcomed and encouraged.

Early Bird registration closes on 01 May 2026

Regular registration closes on 15 September 2026

*An Early Career Researcher (ECR) is defined as someone who:

• has ≤£250k in total grant income as Primary Investigator across their career (excluding their own salary e.g., a fellowship grant)

• and/or does not hold a tenured academic or consultant position

Senior Researcher tickets are for delegates who are not within the ECR definition. This also includes professionals such as programme and operations managers, research support staff, policymakers and industry partners, would be considered as a senior research ticket.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Tickets can be transferred but cannot be refunded. Please contact brc@gosh.nhs.uk.