The 2013 Gordon Research Conference on Superconductivity will bring together experts in materials discovery, experimental physics, and theory to address current challenges at the frontier of this field. Topics to be discussed include the electronic structure and Cooper pairing mechanisms of copper and ruthenium oxides, iron pnictides, heavy-fermion intermetallics, and organic compounds; the interplay between superconductivity and competing order; non-equilibrium superconductivity; and the physics of low-dimensional, nanoscopic, and topological superconductors. We will also highlight and discuss current efforts to translate knowledge gained from the study of known superconductors into guidelines for the discovery and design of novel superconductors with higher transition temperatures. Speakers will be strongly encouraged to present new, unpublished work, which will ensure that discussions evoke and explore new research directions. As a new feature, this year’s conference will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar, which will offer tutorial introductions of frontier research topics to young scientists at the graduate and postdoctoral level, and will prepare them for interaction with leading experts in the main part of the conference. In order to facilitate participation of young scientists, the conference will also offer focused sessions for poster presentations and discussion with invited speakers. In addition, the organizers have earmarked funds to facilitate attendance of members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.