# First time attending a Project Week

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847>\
**Category:** Project Week\
**Created:** [November 10, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847 "2026-11-10T21:40:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AhmedBen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@AhmedBen](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/AhmedBen)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/1 "2026-11-10T21:40:14Z")

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Hello everyone!

I’m interested in attending the project week in Gran Canaria (January 25-29, 2027). It would be my first time!

I’m currently a junior R&D engineer and will soon start a PhD, for which I have chosen to work with 3D Slicer on the development side.

I have a question about participation: is it possible to attend as an observer, without presenting a project, especially for someone attending for the first time?

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![fedorov](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/fedorov/32/14_2.png) [@fedorov](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/fedorov)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/2 "2026-11-10T21:53:20Z")

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It is definitely possible, but it will not be that much fun! 😉

Please join planning projects to learn more about the community and introduce yourself. Chances are high you will either decide to start your own project, or join a team working on a project that looks interesting to you. Some join projects to contribute, but you are also welcome to join to learn!

The structure of the projects is very informal/flexible and very welcoming to the beginners. You start a conversation, you share an idea about a project that looks interesting, you test someone else’s work - and this is how you contribute!

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**Author:** ![AhmedBen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@AhmedBen](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/AhmedBen)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/3 "2026-11-10T22:38:55Z")

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Thank you very much for your reply! That is perfect!

I also have a few questions about registration and accommodation, as I need this information to arrange funding from my lab:

- When will registration open, and when will the payment link be available?
- When will the discounted hotel booking link be available?

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**Author:** ![pieper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/pieper/32/8_2.png) [@pieper](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/pieper)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/4 "2026-11-10T22:41:56Z")

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I’m not sure about the hotel, but the registration and payment links worked for me.

> **[46th NA-MIC Project Week registration form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsSJYwtIGe3hXuGhOVWstzSISOeNnfTwKN8NvbDvEwpfjN4w/viewform?usp=publish-editor)**
>
> This is the registration form for the 46th NA-MIC Project Week that will be held on Jan 25 - 29, 2027 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, in person.
> 
> To finalize the registration, it is required to pay the registration fee, following the link on the...

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**Author:** ![rimsouthcott16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dec6dc/32.png) [@rimsouthcott16](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/rimsouthcott16)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/5 "2026-11-12T19:47:52Z")

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For the hotel, the discounted block is usually arranged by the local hosts and posted on the Project Week page once it is finalized, so it may simply not be available yet. If your lab needs a cost estimate for funding now, it may be worth emailing the organizing committee to ask about the planned hotel and rate, and whether they can provide an invoice or acceptance letter with registration. That kind of documentation often satisfies internal funding paperwork before the booking link appears.

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**Author:** ![fedorov](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/fedorov/32/14_2.png) [@fedorov](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/fedorov)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/6 "2026-11-12T20:01:57Z")

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Also, if you want to minimize the expense, based on my past experience, it is possible to find a nearby hotel that is cheaper than the one used for the venue, even with the discount.

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**Author:** ![cpinter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/cpinter/32/7995_2.png) [@cpinter](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/cpinter)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/7 "2026-11-13T12:06:02Z")

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Thank you for your interest!

About joining as an observer: I agree with @fedorov . You most certainly have some topic of interest and maybe some workflow step or implementation detail you see as a potentially difficult one. If so, feel free to add it as a project. Sometimes a project is only a discussion with the experts about a certain topic, or even fixing a Slicer bug. No need to think only in terms of large projects.

Registration is open, all info is on the event page (@pieper linked it above).

The discounted hotel link can be expected early next week. We are on it… However, maybe worth noting that the hotel is not among the cheap ones, and you may find other offers nearby. It is a super touristy area.

Looking forward to meeting you at the project week, and also at one of the preparations meetings!

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**Author:** ![AhmedBen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@AhmedBen](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/AhmedBen)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/first-time-attending-a-project-week/48847/8 "2026-11-13T21:36:45Z")

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Thank you all for your replies! See you soon.