2025 ESP Call for Proposals

The ESP Professional Development Committee is seeking proposals for scholarly presentations for the 2025 ESP National Conference hosted by the Texas Alpha Zeta Chapter in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 6-9, 2025.

We request members, including Life Members, submit proposals on current and emerging Extension topics that will engage all members with various interests and experiences. We also encourage proposals highlighting successful programs and strategies for reaching diverse and/or new audiences, such as urban, Latino, younger generations, etc.

The lead presenter must be a current member of ESP (either a new member this year, or a returning member who paid dues last year and this year) to submit a proposal. Up to three additional presenters are allowed for concurrent sessions, but 50% of all presenters must be ESP members.

An individual may be the lead presenter on only one concurrent session, research session or ignite session proposal submission. A person may be included as a co-presenter on one additional concurrent, research or ignite session proposal. Proposals will undergo a blind review process. 

All session presenters should ensure:

• Proposals are self-blinded and do not include any names of states, universities, regions, counties, teams or individuals; if they are stated in the abstract, 15 points will be deducted from your score. 

• Proposals include the required 2,500 character maximum abstract and a 300 character maximum summary submitted via the ESP Proposal Form below. 

• Presentations selected are delivered in substance and title as listed in the application and not modified after submission.

• In addition:

• • All conference presenters MUST register for the conference and are expected to attend the entire conference at their own expenses including registration for the conference, travel, lodging, and workshop materials.

  • Selected presenters are responsible for providing a laptop for their presentation (except Ignite presenters); selected presentations will be notified about connection requirements to the conference provided projectors.  

  • Presenters need to be available to present the session during their assigned time slot with time available for consultation with participants immediately following their presentation.

  • All presentations must be submitted to the ESP National Office for posting on the website.

National Conference Stipends for Current ESP Members
Current ESP members who participate in the entire National Conference may qualify for a stipend/award:

• Concurrent Session Presentation: $350 stipend for the lead presenter.

• Research Presentation:  $100 stipend for the lead presenter.

• Ignite Presentation: $100 stipend for the lead presenter.

• The top ten posters will receive a $100 award (not a stipend). This award is not restricted by another conference stipend you may receive.

Other stipends are provided for:

• Official National Committee Members: $200 (must attend the conference and sign-in for your regional meeting and committee meetings, and

• Council Voting Delegates: $200 (must be registered as a delegate, attend the regional meeting, check-in, and attend, as a voting delegate for your state at the National Council meeting).

A member is eligible to receive only one stipend. The stipend with the highest value will be awarded. Following the conference, you must fill out the online stipend form which will be made available after the conference.

National Conference Proposals: Due by March 1, 2025
Lead presenters will be notified of their selection by June 15, 2025.

Additional National Conference Guidelines and Information

a) National Conference Concurrent Sessions Requirements:

Concurrent sessions will be 50-60 minutes in length, which includes setup, making the presentation, question/answer period and take down.

• A concurrent session may be a presentation, panel discussion, round table discussion, hands-on demonstration or any other methodology.

• Indicate whether you would be interested in submitting this as a Poster or Webinar Presentation if not accepted for a Concurrent Session Presentation.

b) National Conference Ignite Session Requirements:

An Ignite Session is a method of sharing an exciting, educational message in five minutes. Presenters should cover a specific topic in a maximum of five minutes and may use up to 20 PowerPoint Slides that advance automatically. The presenter will have two additional minutes for questions and answers.

c) National Conference Research Presentation:

Research sessions will be 20 minutes in length (including questions), which includes setup, making the presentation, question/answer period and take down. There will be multiple sessions per concurrent session. The intent is to share research related to Extension work in a specific program, topic, need or outreach method.

d) National Conference Poster Sessions Requirements:

Poster size will be maximum of 48” wide by 36” high and minimum 36” wide by 36” wide. Posters may be placed on wall mounts, on easels, or on one half of a 6’x30” skirted table, depending on hotel accommodations. Regardless of presentation options, a solid surface will be provided to attach your poster.

• All posters exhibited during the National ESP Conference will undergo an additional review by a subcommittee of the ESP Professional Development Committee to determine awards.

• Poster presenters are expected to be available during a specified time to staff their posters.

• An individual may be the lead presenter on only one poster session proposal submission. A person may be included as a co-presenter on one additional poster session proposal.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Paul Roback, ESP Professional Development Committee Chair at paul.roback@wisc.edu.

Scoring Criteria for all Concurrent, Ignite, Research & Poster Session Submissions – conducted via blind review

Category	Points
Presentation applies to a broad cross section of ESP members.	0-15 pts
Presentation has clearly defined outcomes and/or includes best practices.	0-20 pts
Presentation topic is based upon a foundation of research, theory or practical application.  Ability to replicate program, if appropriate	0-15 pts
Presentation topic represents a collaboration and team effort. Collaboration and team effort demonstrated Working across disciplinary areas, if appropriate	0-10 pts
Presentation reflects innovation and cutting-edge content.	0-10 pts
Presentation stimulates audience engagement (as necessary or appropriate) and adoption of new practices or research. Provides tools/resources to implement practices or research findings	0-10 pts
Presentation abstract clearly communicates content and intent of proposal	0-20 pts
Deduction for not self blinding proposal (-15 if applicable)
Total Points Possible	100 pts