International Research Congress

Join us for the 2026 International Research Congress on FSHD
June 25-26 in Chicago

Join us in Rosemont, Illinois (Greater Chicago area) for our annual global gathering dedicated to advancing research in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). The 2026 IRC convenes leading scientists, clinicians, industry partners, and emerging investigators to collaborate at the forefront of discovery and innovation.

Together, we will accelerate the science that is transforming FSHD research and paving the path toward effective therapies. This year’s program will focus on three core scientific tracks:

Mechanisms of Disease & Genetics
Clinical Care Progress with an Emphasis on Human Studies
Biomarkers of Disease Activity and Progression

We look forward to another impactful year of knowledge exchange, multidisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful progress for the FSHD community.

Scholarship Opportunities

The FSHD Society is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to help reduce financial barriers to participation in the 2026 International Research Congress on FSHD. Scholarships are intended to support individuals who would benefit from attending but may face cost-related challenges. Information on scholarship eligibility van be found on the application form.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Award Notification: March 25, 2026
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2026

Young Investigator Award

The FSHD Society is pleased to invite nominations for the 2026 Young Investigator Award, to be presented at the International Research Congress on FSHD. This award honors an emerging researcher whose work demonstrates exceptional promise and the potential to make a lasting impact on the understanding and treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Eligible nominees include postdoctoral trainees, clinical fellows, and junior faculty who are in the early stages of their careers and establishing their first independent laboratory (within five years). The award is intended to recognize scientific excellence, innovation, and a clear commitment to advancing FSHD research.

We encourage senior investigators, mentors, and institutional leaders to nominate outstanding early-career scientists who represent the future of the FSHD research community.

Nomination Form

Nomination Deadline: May 25, 2026

Keynote Speakers Announced for IRC 2026

We are delighted to announce the keynote speakers for the 33rd Annual International Research Congress on FSHD.

Dr. April Pyle

Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UCLA

Dr. Pyle will explore the emerging science of muscle regeneration, highlighting new biological insights and their implications for therapeutic development in FSHD. Drawing on advances in gene therapy from across the muscular dystrophy landscape, her keynote will examine how lessons from parallel indications can inform—and accelerate—innovation for FSHD.

Dr. Russell Butterfield

Professor of Neurology & Division Chief of Neuromuscular Medicine, University of Utah

Dr. Butterfield will deliver a forward-looking keynote on the FSHD drug development landscape, offering a clear-eyed assessment of where the field stands today and the opportunities that lie ahead. His talk will spotlight the rapidly evolving therapeutic pipeline, emerging modalities, and the scientific, clinical, and regulatory steps needed to translate discovery into effective treatments for patients.

Sponsorship Prospectus

Interested in being a 2026 IRC? Look through our sponsorship packet for more information.

2026 Sponsorship Prospectus

Thank you to our generous sponsors of the 2026 International Research Congress on FSHD:

Presenting Sponsor

Advancing Global FSHD Research Together

For more than 30 years, the FSHD Society’s International Research Congress (IRC) on facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has served as the premier global meeting dedicated exclusively to FSHD research. Each year, world-leading scientists, clinicians, and industry partners convene to share discoveries, accelerate translational science, and shape the path toward effective therapies.

With rapid advances in biomarkers, outcome measures, and clinical development, the IRC continues to catalyze innovation and global collaboration across the FSHD research ecosystem. Our recent meetings drew over 240 in-person and 100 virtual participants from academia, industry, and patient advocacy—underscoring the momentum and commitment driving the field forward.