2026 Call for Proposals

June 10–13, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) invites you to submit a proposal to present at the 2026 NASW National Conference – “Beyond the Breaking Point: Connection Through Purpose and Power.”

Each year, the NASW National Conference brings together thousands of social workers, mental health professionals, educators, and advocates from across the country. It’s a space to learn, connect, and lead together on the most important issues shaping our profession and the communities we serve.

With the conference taking place in Washington, D.C. during a national election year, this is a moment to unite our collective voice for mental health, equity, and social justice—and to highlight the impact of social work in every arena.

Theme Rationale:

Why “Beyond the Breaking Point”

“Beyond the Breaking Point” speaks to both the urgency of our shared situation and the hope that lies on the other side. It carries several layers of meaning:

• Personal resilience: For many, it names the exhaustion of giving endlessly in systems that rarely give back. But “beyond” implies not collapse, but transformation. It is a declaration that burnout is not our endpoint.
• Systemic change: The phrase acknowledges that entire systems — health, housing, education, justice — are under strain. Going “beyond” means moving past patchwork fixes toward redesigning those systems for equity and humanity.
• Collective action: “Breaking point” also refers to the moment when individuals unite to demand something better — when silence breaks and professionals refuse to accept harm as normal.

Why “Connection Through Purpose and Power”

If the first half of the theme diagnoses the condition, the second half prescribes the cure.

• Connection is the antidote to isolation. It is about rebuilding trust between professionals and the communities they serve, between disciplines, and between individuals who have stopped seeing themselves in one another.
• Purpose re-centers the “why” that drew people into care professions in the first place. It is the moral engine that sustains resilience when systems fail.
• Power reframes advocacy as an act of healing. It is about reclaiming influence in policy, practice, and public discourse and recognizing that compassion without agency cannot create justice.

Why Present?

Presenting at the NASW National Conference is more than an opportunity to share your work—it’s a chance to help shape the future of our profession.

We’re looking for dynamic, evidence-based, and practice-informed sessions that cover the full spectrum of social work and allied mental health professions. Whether your expertise is clinical, community-based, academic, or policy-driven, this is your opportunity to inspire and equip others with actionable ideas that drive change.

Attendees are seeking more than information—they want tools, strategies, and takeaways they can use immediately in their practice, teaching, or advocacy.

Presentation Formats

Choose from three session types designed to match your presentation style and depth:

• Symposium (90 minutes): A panel session with two to three speakers.
• Individual Presentation (60 minutes): A single presenter leading a focused session.
• Poster Presentation: Visual displays presented during scheduled networking breaks.

Topic Areas

Proposals are welcome in all areas of social work and mental health practice, including (but not limited to):

Proposal Requirements

All proposals must be submitted online through ProposalSpace and include:

• Presenter names, bios, and contact information
• Title, format, and short marketing description
• Abstract (up to 3,000 characters) including focus, approach, and learning objectives
• Strategies for audience engagement
• Selected topic area and level of intervention (micro, mezzo, or macro)

All sessions must include at least three measurable learning objectives and explain what attendees will take away and apply in their work.

How Proposals Are Reviewed

Submissions are evaluated on:

• Alignment with the conference theme and professional relevance
• Practical impact and real-world takeaways
• Innovation and originality
• Audience engagement and interactive design
• Clarity of purpose and objectives
• Evidence base and professional credibility
• Contribution to a balanced, high-quality program

Key Dates

• Proposal Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET
• Notification of Acceptance: February 2026
• Conference Dates: June 10–13, 2026 (presenters must be available June 11–13)

Presenter Benefits

Presenters receive a discounted registration rate and gain national recognition and professional visibility.

By presenting, you will:

• Share your expertise with thousands of professionals nationwide
• Build partnerships and collaborations
• Expand your professional profile and influence
• Contribute to the advancement of social work and allied professions

All selected proposals must be presented live and in person in Washington, D.C.

Some sessions may also be live streamed to virtual attendees.

Join the Movement

The 2026 NASW National Conference is more than a professional event—it’s a collective call to action for those dedicated to advancing mental health, equity, and justice.

Your voice belongs in this conversation.

Submit your proposal today:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit a proposal?

Proposals are open to all professionals working within or alongside the social work field. You do not have to be an NASW member to submit. We welcome submissions from social workers, educators, counselors, therapists, policy experts, researchers, and community advocates.

Do I have to be an NASW member to present?

No. Membership is not required to submit or present. However, NASW members receive a discounted conference registration rate and access to exclusive professional development benefits.

What makes a proposal stand out?

Strong proposals are action-oriented, innovative, and interactive. Reviewers are looking for presentations that offer clear takeaways, engage participants, and connect to the profession’s current challenges and opportunities.

What happens after I submit?

You will receive an email confirmation once your proposal is successfully submitted in ProposalSpace.

Accepted presenters will be notified in February 2026 with next steps and registration details.

If my proposal is accepted, what are my responsibilities?

Presenters must register for the conference and cover their own travel and lodging. NASW provides a discounted registration rate for accepted presenters and will include your session in all conference marketing and materials.

What if I need help using ProposalSpace?

For technical issues with submission, contact support@proposalspace.com or call 877-324-3204.

For general questions about the call or review process, email naswconference@socialworkers.org.