Call for Proposals

DEADLINE for Submission: Monday, September 15, 2025 midnight.

You will be notified via email if your session is accepted by the end of October, 2025.

For further information or questions, please contact  naptconferencechair@gmail.com

The National Association for Poetry Therapy is accepting proposals for our upcoming 2026 Conference “Poetry as a Pathway to Peace.”

The conference will be held at Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile on April 15  - April 19, 2026.

The National Association for Poetry Therapy seeks to build and sustain a worldwide community providing a professional, international network for bringing growth, healing, communication, and collaborative learning into the world.

Our annual conference offers an extraordinary opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals to network, learn, and collaborate. At our conference, you will have the opportunity to attend exceptional sessions to expand your knowledge and professional development. Our Keynote Poets and Speakers represent both scholarship and relevance.

Directions for Submitting Proposal

1. There are two options for submitting your proposal:

a. ONLINE OPTION: You must have a google account to utilize this option. Complete the online proposal form here and submit. You must also email your CV(s) to naptconferencechair@gmail.com with the subject line “Call for Proposals 2025 and your name” by the deadline, or your proposal will not be considered.

OR

b. EMAIL OPTION: Download the proposal form either from here or that you received from one of our eblasts. Please email your completed proposal form in word format AND your CV(s) to naptconferencechair@gmail.com with the subject line “Call for Proposals 2025 and your name”.

2. We must receive your proposal form AND CV(s) by midnight Monday, September 15, 2025. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE BOTH, YOUR PROPOSAL WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please make sure you receive confirmation we have received your documents. If you do not,please contact us via the contact form on our website.

3. Please read the following proposal form instructions before proceeding.

• Getting Started: If you are using the online option below, you may see a request to “switch accounts.” If you have multiple Gmail accounts, please sign out of the one you don't want to use and into the account you want to use for submitting your workshop proposal.  
• Workshop Presenter Information-- We accept both individual workshops and group workshops. If you have a group workshop, there must be a "first workshop presenter" for each proposal. This individual is responsible for obtaining and submitting all required information for all co- workshop presenters included in the proposal. When you submit your proposal, you will be prompted to submit CVs for each workshop presenter. Your proposal cannot be considered until we have all CVs. CVs must be received by midnight, Monday, September 15, 2025. If we do not receive your CV(s), we assume you have changed your mind and your proposal will not be considered for review. Please make sure you receive confirmation we have received your documents. If you do not,please contact us via the contact form on our website.
• Length of Workshops -- Our conference workshops are 90 minutes in length except for special workshops and presentations, which are by invitation only.
• Tracks -- Our conference features workshops in four tracks:

        Clinical/Health Care Setting: for those interested in working in both mental health and medical professions.

        Educational Setting: for those interested in working in schools, universities, after-school programs, etc.

        Social Justice: for those interested in working in community settings that address cultural diversity, gender identity, and social issues.

        Spirituality: for those interested in working in spiritual centers or pastoral care, or whose work has primarily a spiritual focus.

• Audio-Visual Equipment -- Due to the rising costs of audio-visual equipment and difficulties with connectivity, we will be limiting the use of projectors and screens. We recommend that you critically consider using handouts that can be emailed to your workshop participants prior to the conference rather than relying on PowerPoint presentations.
• Print-Ready Session Description -- 125 -150 words for our conference program and website listing. See examples of our previous session descriptions here.
• Print-Ready Biography -- 150 - 200 words, written in 3rd person for our program & website listing. See examples of our previous workshop presenter biographies here. Please include the link to your        website (s).
• In-Depth Session Description -- In addition to your print-ready 125-150 workshop description for our program and website, please provide a more in-depth 250-word minimum description of your proposed workshop (including your goals for the participants of the workshop) for our Conference Proposal Review Committee. If you prefer, this can be sent as an attachment along with your CV.
• Category of Workshop -- Please consider the participation level of your proposed workshop. What percentage will it be lecture-based or "didactic"? Which percentage will be designated "peer", more interactive or experiential? If your workshop is approved, the workshop description on the website will include the amount of peer hours, if any, that can be credited towards certification with the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy. This will be determined by NAPT in contact with the IFBPT.
• Format: If you are using the email option to submit your proposal, please return the completed form to us in Word format, not as a PDF.
• Workshop Selection -- Once your completed proposal form and CV(s) have been received, they are turned over to our Proposal Review Committee. The committee rates proposals based upon the following criteria: content, organization, interest level, relevance, credentials/ experience. Additionally, we strive to have an equal number of our four workshop tracks represented. 

DEADLINE for Submission: Monday, September 15, 2025 midnight.

You will be notified via email if your session is accepted by the end of October, 2025.

For further information or questions, please contact the naptconferencechair@gmail.com