New Ideas and Emerging Results (NIER)MODELS 2026

About

MODELS is the premier conference series for model-based software and systems engineering. Since 1998 MODELS has covered all aspects of modeling, from languages and methods to tools and applications. MODELS participants originate from a wide variety of backgrounds, including researchers, academics, engineers, and industry professionals.

MODELS 2026 is a forum for participants to share the latest research and practical experiences around modeling, modeling languages, and model-based software and systems engineering. Respective contributions advance the fundamentals of modeling and report applications of modeling in areas such as cyber-physical systems, embedded systems, socio-technical systems, cloud computing, big data, machine learning, security, open source, and sustainability.

The MODELS New Ideas and Emerging Results (NIER) track, aims to provide a dedicated forum for visionary, thought-provoking, and forward-looking research in the field of model-driven engineering (MDE). It also aims to showcase early-stage research, novel ideas, and innovative approaches that have the potential to shape the future of the discipline.

The NIER track welcomes submissions that explore bold hypotheses, unconventional methodologies, and interdisciplinary perspectives, fostering discussions that challenge the status quo and open new avenues for exploration. By the NIER track, MODELS seeks to encourage early feedback, spark collaborations, and accelerate the adoption of groundbreaking concepts, strengthening its role as a leading venue for innovation in MDE.

Topics of Interest

MODELS 2026 solicits submissions on a variety of topics related to modeling for software and systems engineering including, but not limited to:

• Fundamentals of model-based engineering, including the definition of syntax and semantics of modeling languages and model transformation languages.
• New paradigms, formalisms, applications, approaches, frameworks, or processes for model-based engineering such as low-code/no-code development, digital twins, etc.
• Definition, use, and analysis of model-based generative and re-engineering approaches.
• Model-based monitoring, analysis, and adaptation heading towards intelligent systems.
• Development of model-based systems engineering approaches and modeling-in-the-large, including interdisciplinary engineering and coordination.
• Applications of AI to model-related engineering problems, e.g., approaches based on search, machine learning, large language models (AI for modeling).
• Model-based engineering foundations for AI-based systems (modeling for AI).
• Human and organizational factors in model-based engineering.
• Tools, meta-tools, and language workbenches for model-based engineering, including model management and scalable model repositories.
• Hybrid multi-modeling approaches, i.e., integration of various modeling languages and their tools.
• Evaluation and comparison of modeling languages, techniques, and tools.
• Quality assurance (analysis, testing, verification, fidelity assessment) for functional and non-functional properties of models and model transformations.
• Collaborative modeling to address team management issues, e.g., browser-based and cloud-enabled collaboration.
• Evolution of modeling languages and related standards.
• Modeling education, e.g., delivery methods and curriculum design.
• Modeling in software engineering, e.g., applications of models to address common software engineering challenges.
• Modeling for specific challenges such as collaboration, scalability, security, interoperability, adaptability, flexibility, maintainability, dependability, reuse, energy efficiency, sustainability, and uncertainty.
• Modeling with, and for, novel systems and paradigms in fields such as security, cyber-physical systems (CPSs), the Internet of Things, cloud computing, DevOps, blockchain technology, data analytics, data science, machine learning, Big Data, systems engineering, socio-technical systems, critical infrastructures and services, robotics, mobile applications, conversational agents, and open-source software.
• Empirical studies on the application of model-based engineering in areas such as smart manufacturing, smart cities, smart enterprises, smart mobility, smart society, etc.

Call for Contributions

NIER papers describe original, non-conventional research positions in modeling or model-driven engineering and/or approaches that deviate from standard practice. They describe well-defined, revolutionary research ideas in the early stage of the investigation that challenge the state of the art and open new avenues for exploration. NIER papers may challenge common wisdom , present unifying theories about existing modeling research that can provide new insights or lead to the development of new technologies or approaches, explore bold hypotheses or unconventional methodologies, or apply modeling technology to unprecedented application areas.

Evaluation Criteria

NIERpapers will be assessed primarily on their degree of originality and potential for advancing innovation in the field. As such, new ideas and emerging results are expected to provide a compelling and revolutionary argument.

Note that this category is not intended for foundation or practice papers without sufficient evaluation. Such papers will not be accepted.

Submissions must clearly describe shortcomings of the state-of-the-art and the relevance, soundness, and impact of the idea. New ideas and emerging results need to be fully worked out. The use of worked-out examples to support new ideas is strongly encouraged. Each submission to the NIER track must include a section titled “Future Plans”, in which the authors describe how they intend to develop their new ideas and emerging results into a full-length paper. Authors should also make any artifacts publicly available.

Each submission will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following quality criteria:

• Relevance: How relevant is the research to software and system modeling?
• Impact: Significance and potential impact of the research. The potential of the research to disrupt current practices.
• Novelty: The originality of the solutions, problem formulations, methodologies, and/or theories contributed, i.e., how much the paper differs from the current state of research.
• Soundness: The clarity and depth of technical or theoretical contributions, as well as the thoroughness and completeness with which future plans for completing the research are defined.
• Presentation: The quality of exposition in the paper.

Submission process

NIER paper must not exceed 6 pages for the main text, including all figures, tables, appendices, etc. One more page containing only references is permitted. Note that the page limit applies to the final, non-anonymous version; hence a submitted version cannot exhaust the page limit unless it uses blank space for any author information that was removed.

All submissions must be in PDF format. The page limit is strict; it will not be possible to purchase additional pages at any stage of the process.

The submission process for the MODELS 2026 NIER Track follows a double-anonymous review process in which authors will not be identified to reviewers and reviewers will not be identified to authors. Thus, no submission may reveal the identity of its authors and authors must make every effort to comply with the double-anonymous review process.

In particular:

Authors’ names must not be mentioned in the submission.

All references to the author’s previous work should be in the third person.

While authors have the right to upload preprints on ArXiV or similar sites, they should not indicate that the manuscript was submitted to MODELS 2026.

If artifacts are made available to the program committee (by uploading supplemental material or a link to a repository), these artifacts must also not reveal the identity of the authors.

Papers must be submitted electronically through the MODELS 2026 NIER EasyChair web page.

Submissions must conform to the IEEE formatting instructions.

Please note the IEEE Authors Rights and Responsibilities.

Finally, IEEE requires the use of ORCIDs. LaTeX users should use the “orcidlink” package, \hypersetup{pdfborder={0 0 0}}, and \orcidlink{XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX} after each author name.

Important update on ACMs new open access publishing model for 2026 ACM Conferences!

Starting January 1, 2026, ACM will fully transition to Open Access. All ACM publications, including those from ACM-sponsored conferences, will be 100% Open Access. Authors will have two primary options for publishing Open Access articles with ACM: the ACM Open institutional model or by paying Article Processing Charges (APCs). With over 2,600 institutions already part of ACM Open, the majority of ACM-sponsored conference papers will not require APCs from authors or conferences (currently, around 76%).

Authors from institutions not participating in ACM Open will need to pay an APC to publish their papers, unless they qualify for a financial waiver. To find out whether an APC applies to your article, please consult the list of participating institutions in ACM Open and review the https://www.acm.org/publications/policies/policy-on-discretionary-open-access-apc-waivers. Keep in mind that waivers are rare and are granted based on specific criteria set by ACM.

Understanding that this change could present financial challenges, ACM has approved a temporary subsidy for 2026 to ease the transition and allow more time for institutions to join ACM Open. The subsidy will offer:

• $250 APC for ACM/SIG members
• $350 for non-members

This represents a 65% discount. ACM encourages authors to help advocate for their institutions to join ACM Open during this transition period.

This temporary subsidized pricing will apply to all conferences scheduled for 2026.

Please contact the Program Chairs if you have any questions about the submission process.

Important Dates

All submission dates are at 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth).

• Abstract Submission: June 24th, 2026
• Paper Submission: July 1st, 2026
• Author notification: July 29th, 2026
• Camera Ready Due: August, 5th, 2026

Submission deadlines are hard, i.e., there will be no submission deadline extensions.