Request for Proposals
2026 ESP National Conference
Join us in Springfield, IL | October 12-15, 2026
2026 ESP Call for Proposals
The ESP Professional Development Committee is seeking proposals for scholarly presentations for the 2026 ESP National Conference hosted by the Illinois Alpha Nu Chapter in Springfield, IL, on October 12–15, 2026.
We request that members, including Life Members, submit proposals on current and emerging Extension topics that will engage all members with various interests and experiences.
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). Up to three additional presenters are allowed for concurrent sessions, but at least 50% of all presenters must be ESP members.
An individual may be the lead presenter on only one concurrent, research, or ignite session proposal. A person may be included as a co-presenter on one additional proposal. Proposals will undergo a blind review process.
An individual may be the lead presenter on only one concurrent, research, or ignite session proposal. A person may be included as a co-presenter on one additional 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 300-word maximum abstract and a 50-word maximum summary submitted via the ESP website (click on the “submit” 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 by the conclusion of the conference to the ESP National Office for posting on the website and/or conference app.
National Conference Stipends for Current ESP Members
- 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
- Top ten posters 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.
National Conference Proposal Deadline: March 15, 2026
Lead presenters will be notified by June 15, 2026.
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. The Ignite presentations occur during a conference lunch session in front of all conference participants.
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:
Posters need to be 48" wide x 36" high or 36” x 36”. At the conference, posters will be mounted on 48" wide x 36" high foam boards and the backside of the foam board will be shared with another poster presentation. The foam board will be inserted into a base stand and placed on a table. Posters must be displayed horizontally.
- 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.
- An electronic version (PDF or JPEG) of your finished poster must be submitted to National ESP one month prior to the conference (September 12, 2026) for initial review.
- Poster presenters are expected to be available during a specified time to staff their posters for final judging.
- 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.
Award scoring criteria for poster presentation at the conference:
1. Adheres to Poster Guidelines
- Appropriate size (48" wide x 36" high or 36” x 36”). Horizontally displayed
- Includes brief abstract or introduction
- Name(s) of presenter(s) visible
- Includes a summary
2. Educational Value
- Presents new or familiar ideas that promote innovation
- Message is presented/communicated effectively
- Concepts are easy to understand
- Key components (e.g., objectives, methods, summary, etc.) are clear and specific
- Includes citations from reliable sources
- Evaluation tools and results included
3. Display Design
- Layout is organized and easy to follow
- Style suitable to message (professional appearance)
- Pleasing to the eye
- Lettering easy to read (font size and style) & suitable to message
4. Relevance to Audience
- Message appropriate to the intended audience
- Presenter available for discussion
- Poster session objective(s) identified or apparent (As outlined in RFP)
- Posters will be displayed electronically after the conference on the ESP National website and/or conference app.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to submit your proposal.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Paul Roback, ESP Professional Development Committee Chair at paul.roback@wisc.edu
RFP 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.
| 0-15 pts |
Presentation topic represents a collaboration and team effort.
| 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.
| 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 |
