Our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and our appreciation of their impact on all biological processes have rapidly expanded in the past decade. Epigenetic mechanisms encode information that adds functional layers to the genetic content of the genome, affecting gene expression during developmental programs as well as contributing to disease states in adult organisms. Heritable epigenetic encoding can occur in response to environmental changes, creating phenotypic variation with wide ranges of stability. Many major advances in our understanding of epigenetic processes have made their debut at the Epigenetics Gordon Conference, which began in 1995. The 2015 conference will continue the tradition of presenting mechanistic advances, as well as intriguing phenomena, from a wide variety of biological organisms. Session topics will include those that focus on mechanisms contributing to developmental regulation, phenotypic plasticity, and transgenerational effects, as well as new strategies for modifying epigenetic states. The conference will bring together established leaders in the field along with new investigators and young scientists with an emphasis on the presentation of new and exciting unpublished work. Sessions will include presentations from invited speakers and talks selected from submitted abstracts; all participants are encouraged to present posters.