SCOPE

CAV 2026 is the 38th in a series dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practice of computer-aided formal analysis methods for hardware and software systems. The conference covers the spectrum from theoretical results to concrete applications, with an emphasis on practical verification tools and the algorithms and techniques that are needed for their implementation. CAV considers it vital to continue spurring advances in hardware and software verification while expanding to new domains such as machine learning, quantum verification, autonomous systems, and computer security. The proceedings of the conference will be published in the Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science series. A selection of papers is expected to be invited to a special issue of Formal Methods in System Design and the Journal of the ACM.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Foundations of verification and synthesis (mathematical, logical, automata, games)
Verification algorithms (model checking, deductive verification)
Proof assistants and deductive methods
Specifications and correctness criteria for programs and systems
SAT, SMT, constraint solving, decision procedures
Synthesis algorithms (software, hardware, systems)
Program and software verification (including analysis)
Hardware verification
Verification of concurrent and distributed systems
Verification of hybrid, embedded, and cyber-physical systems
Abstraction and compositional techniques
Probabilistic verification
Testing and run-time analysis based on verification technology
Formal methods for AI safety, explainability, and machine learning models
Formal methods for security
Emerging domains for verification and synthesis, e.g., biology, quantum
Applications and case studies in practice (esp. in industry)

CAV welcomes submissions on theory, algorithms, practice and/or tools.

Submissions on a wide range of topics are sought, particularly ones that identify new research directions. CAV 2026 is not limited to topics discussed in previous instances of the conference. Authors concerned about the appropriateness of a topic may communicate with the conference chairs prior to submission.