About
Since 2016, students in the NextTech network have attended the Nano and Emerging Technologies Student Leaders Conference co-located with TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo and the National SBIR/STTR Conference. The Student Leaders Conference highlights undergraduate research and connects students with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, venture capitalists, and representatives of Federal agencies funding research in emerging technologies. To learn more about the conference from the students who attended, check out the videos below of past Student Leaders Conferences.
2026 SLC/Horizons Workforce Development Program at TechConnect
The 2026 Student Leaders Conference was co-located with TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo, March 10 – 12, 2026, in Raleigh, NC.
Since 2025, the Student Leaders Conference has been combined with the Horizons Workforce Development Program at TechConnect. The focus of the 2026 meeting was to raise awareness about the different career paths associated with emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, microelectronics, and biotechnology. In addition to keynotes and presentations describing various emerging technology industries, students had the opportunity to participate in speed-networking sessions and career panels, explore career and training at the expo floor, and showcase their research during the poster session.
2027 SLC/Horizons Workforce Development Program at TechConnect
Save the date! Planning for the 2027 Student Leaders Conference and Horizons Workforce Development Program is underway. The event will be on March 23 – 25, 2007 in Boston, MA. The focus of the meeting will be “Strengthening the American Workforce in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Science and Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing.” The combined Student Leaders Conference and Horizons Workforce Development Program is open to students across the educational spectrum, from community college students through graduate students, and is designed to connect students with industry, researchers, and career pathways. Apply for a travel grant here! The deadline is November 6, 2026.
In its role in supporting the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office facilitates the NextTech Student Network. Student leaders in any science, technology, or business domain are welcomed to participate!