Paper Submission Instructions
The FISTS 2026 conference committee welcomes authors to submit proposals for papers beginning August 7, 2025.
Please submit your paper via Papercept (https://its.papercept.net) by November 1, 2025 (23:59 PT).
You can access the reviews and remarks from the associate editor through your PaperPlaza account. Please consider these comments and suggestions carefully when preparing your paper. Verify that all metadata on PaperPlaza—including title, abstract, and author list—is accurate, as this information will be used in the official program.
Author Registration
In accordance with the IEEE ITSS and FISTS conference policies:
- At least one author per paper must register for the conference before uploading the final version.
- All presenting authors must be registered by December 21, 2025.
- To have your paper included in the final program, at least one author must complete registration.
Manuscript Preparation and Submissions Guidelines
1. IEEE Template and PDF Requirements
- Use the official IEEE conference templates:
https://www.ieee.org/conferences/publishing/templates - Submit only US Letter-sized PDF files (version 1.4 or higher), searchable, with all fonts embedded and no password protection.
- The expected length is 6 pages. A maximum of 8 pages is allowed (2 extra pages with additional page charges).
- The IEEE template contains a fake copyright notice in the bottom-left corner of the first page. You must remove this notice before submission.
2. Anonymized Primary Submission
To ensure a proper double-blind review process:
- Submit only the anonymized primary paper for the initial submission.
- Remove identifying details by:
- Commenting out all author names and affiliations on the title page.
- Removing acknowledgments that might reveal identities.
- Avoiding phrases like “In [nn], we discussed …” that self-identify. Use neutral phrasing instead (“As discussed in [nn] …”).
- References cannot be anonymized, but do not refer to your own work in a way that reveals authorship.
3. Use of Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Manuscripts generated by LLMs (e.g., ChatGPT) are prohibited.
- Light editing for grammar or spelling using LLMs is allowed.
- During submission, you will certify that your paper represents original author work.
For more information, please check the IEEE Author Center.
Manuscript Submissions via Papercept
All types of contributions must include:
- Type of submission: Contributed paper.
- Manuscript title and a short abstract (<200 words).
- PINs of all co-authors (register or search HERE).
- Manuscript PDF in US Letter size following IEEE formatting instructions.
Presentation Policy for Accepted Papers
In accordance with IEEE Conference Regulations, the following guidelines apply to all accepted papers at IEEE FISTS 2026:
- Author Presentation Requirement
Each accepted paper must be presented at the conference by one of its listed authors. This policy ensures that the presenter is knowledgeable about the research and able to effectively address questions from attendees.
- Substitute Presenter Requests
If none of the authors are able to attend the conference in person, a qualified substitute presenter may be permitted only with prior approval from the Technical Program Committee (TPC). The substitute must be capable of presenting the research and engaging in Q&A. Authors seeking to nominate a substitute must contact the TPC-Chair in advance of the conference to request approval.
- No-Show Policy
Papers that are not presented during the conference—either by an author or an approved substitute—will be classified as “no-shows” and will not be submitted to IEEE Xplore®. Such papers may still appear in the on-site proceedings but will not be indexed or published post-conference.
- Appeals and Exceptions
In the case of force majeure or unforeseen events (e.g., medical emergencies, visa denials), authors may appeal the no-show status by providing appropriate documentation to the TPC. Each case will be reviewed individually.
Each accepted paper must be presented at the conference by one of its listed authors. This policy ensures that the presenter is knowledgeable about the research and able to effectively address questions from attendees.
If none of the authors are able to attend the conference in person, a qualified substitute presenter may be permitted only with prior approval from the Technical Program Committee (TPC). The substitute must be capable of presenting the research and engaging in Q&A. Authors seeking to nominate a substitute must contact the TPC-Chair in advance of the conference to request approval.
Papers that are not presented during the conference—either by an author or an approved substitute—will be classified as “no-shows” and will not be submitted to IEEE Xplore®. Such papers may still appear in the on-site proceedings but will not be indexed or published post-conference.
In the case of force majeure or unforeseen events (e.g., medical emergencies, visa denials), authors may appeal the no-show status by providing appropriate documentation to the TPC. Each case will be reviewed individually.
Please ensure all presenting authors or approved substitutes are registered for the conference and prepared to deliver the presentation as scheduled. Questions related to the policy or specific circumstances should be directed to the TPC-Chair at program2026@ieee-fists.org.
