Research PapersSSBSE 2026

The 18th Symposium on Search-Based Software Engineering (SSBSE 2026) invites high-quality submissions that push the boundaries of research in Search-Based Software Engineering (SBSE). This year, we aim to spotlight the transformative role of AI and optimization techniques in software engineering, while continuing to welcome innovative contributions across all areas of SBSE.

We encourage submissions that:

• Apply SBSE techniques to novel and emerging problems, including those where SBSE has not been traditionally applied.
• Provide theoretical insights into search algorithms tailored for software engineering challenges.
• Offer rigorous empirical evaluations of SBSE methods, with reproducible experiments and datasets.
• Share industrial experiences, detailing real-world applications, challenges, and lessons learned from deploying SBSE techniques.

SSBSE embraces a wide spectrum of search methods, from exact operational research techniques to nature-inspired algorithms (e.g., evolutionary algorithms, simulated annealing, and swarm intelligence). We particularly welcome papers that integrate SBSE with advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Research papers must be of up to 15 pages, including all text, figures, references, and appendices.

Dates

• Submission Deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2026
• Acceptance Notification: Thursday, March 12, 2026
• Camera Ready Deadline: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Format and submission

Submissions must be original and not under consideration elsewhere. All papers will undergo a rigorous double-anonymous peer review process. To ensure anonymity:

• Omit author names and affiliations from the manuscript.
• Write self-citations in the third person (e.g., “the work of XYZ” rather than “our previous work”).
• Avoid URLs or references that reveal author identities.

Authors may submit supplementary materials (e.g., datasets or experimental results) as anonymized files. While supplementary materials are optional, they can enhance the reproducibility and impact of your work.

Submissions must follow Springer’s LNCS format (see https://www.springer.com/gp/computer-science/lncs/conference-proceedings-guidelines ) and can be made via https://ssbse2026.hotcrp.com. Non-compliant submissions will be desk-rejected.

If a paper is accepted, at least one author is expected to attend the symposium and present the paper.

Special issue for best papers

Authors of the best papers will be invited to submit extended versions of their papers for a special issue on Advances and Applications in Search-Based Software Engineering in the Automated Software Engineering journal.