Submit a Session or Workshop Proposal for NAFSA 2023
Each year, the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo hosts over 200 sessions and 40 workshops. By presenting at an annual conference, you’ll have the opportunity to build your professional network and share your experience and ideas with others.
NAFSA’s attendees represent a diversity of experiences and perspectives in international education:
- approximately 10,000 attendees from across disciplines
- a wide array of professional experience, with 69% having more than 5 years in the field
- 40% international, from over 100 countries
In addition to selecting one of the NAFSA Knowledge Communities, session and workshops should align with one of the 13 content focus areas.
Still not sure if you should submit a session or workshop proposal? Read more about participant expectations of NAFSA session presenters and workshop trainers.
We are unable to accept any proposals that are not submitted via our submission portal. Use the link below to start a proposal.
Submission Templates
Before you submit a proposal, consider drafting a proposal with our session and workshop templates. These templates may facilitate the completion of your proposal for you and your colleagues.
Submit proposals prior to the August 24, 2022 deadline.
Session Length and Room Set Up
In your session proposals, please select an intended session length of either 25 or 50 minutes, and one of three types of room arrangements. Presenters should take care to choose a session length and room arrangement appropriate for their proposal.
- 50-minute sessions are the average length of our sessions and most accepted proposals fall into this category. Up to 4 presenters, including the Chair, are allowed in this type of session.
- 25-minute sessions are short-form sessions and are a unique opportunity to propose a topic that will take less than the usual 50 minutes. The ACC encourages quick updates to be given in this format. Please note proposals can only have up to 2 presenters, including the Chair, on this type of session.
Evaluation Rubric and Review Process
Reviewers are responsible for reading 5-15 proposals, depending on the topic, with the final selections being made by the ACC.
Each proposal will be rated on a scale of 1-5 for:
- How well the title, abstract, and learning objectives align with each other
- How likely it is that the format and delivery methods selected will allow participants to achieve the stated learning objectives, including audience engagement appropriate to the objectives
- How knowledgeable the presenter(s) are on the topic
- How likely you would be to attend or recommend someone attend this session if placed on the program, given the limited number of slots available and the high volume of proposals received
Each proposal submission must also maintain compliance with the NAFSA submission policies listed on the proposal form.
Call for Proposals Support
Are you interested in submitting a session, workshop, or poster but don't know where to start? Or, have you submitted a proposal before but didn't get accepted and want to know how to improve for this year? Then attend 2023 Annual Conference Committee series of info sessions or office hours. All info sessions and office hours have passed but you can still watch the recording below.
- “How to Build a Successful NAFSA 2023 Proposal”
At NAFSA 2022 in Denver, Colorado: June 3, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (MDT) - “NAFSA 2023: Writing a Winning Proposal Info Session”
July 27, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (EDT) - Office hours with the Annual Conference Committee
August 3, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) - Office hours with the Annual Conference Committee
August 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (EDT) - “Successful Poster Proposals”
Fall 2022 TBA
NAFSA Proposal Submission Policies
All session, workshop, and poster presenters are required to adhere to NAFSA’s terms and conditions.