Call for Proposals
Symposia
Proposals due Wednesday, January 13, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET. Late submissions will not be considered.
Symposia are focused sessions in which multiple speakers present information related to a unifying topic that is viewed as a significant common theme, issue, or question. Symposia feature two to three brief presentations, which may focus on research, practice, education, or other topic areas. Each symposium should include at least one interactive element, such as group discussion or audience questions. Sessions may also include a chair who provides an introduction or a discussant who draws connections across the presentations. Both roles are optional, but the chair is expected to be present for the session.
A symposium is not a paper-reading session.
Participants are encouraged to actively engage their audience rather than reading from a paper.
NOTE: If a chair is named, they will act as the main point of contact for the convention organizers. The chair will be responsible for inviting and coordinating speakers, communicating the presentation time and location, and ensuring the session stays within the 60-minute limit. If no chair is listed, the first presenter in the submission system will be treated as the main point of contact.
All APA 2027 proposals must be submitted online through the call for proposals platform by Wednesday, January 13, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET.
What You’ll Need to Submit Your Symposium
We recommend preparing your session information in a separate document then copying and pasting it into the submission platform.
Session Information
APA Division
Select the APA Division you are submitting your proposal to—see the full list of APA Divisions here.
Not sure which Division to submit to? Search the list to find the ones that cover your topic. Still can’t decide? Consider reaching out to the
Division program chairs to determine if your proposal is a good fit.
Session Title
75 characters max, including spaces
TIP! Attendees often decide which sessions to attend based on their titles. Make sure yours is clear and engaging, with the key words and concepts at the beginning.
Click here for examples.
Session Description
50 words max
This is the brief description of your Symposium that will appear in the APA 2027 program. It should provide a clear overview of the session and make the case for why this topic is relevant and useful to attendees.
Real-World Applications Statements
50 words each
Include two statements that highlight the practical applications of your proposed session, whether in policy, clinical settings, research, education, or any other setting.
For example,
“This session will offer a replicable stepped-care protocol for how culturally informed care can be implemented in clinical practice with LGBT youth,” or, “This session will present actionable recommendations clinicians can use when supporting clients through the VA service-based disability claims process.”
Session Abstract
300 words max
The abstract should describe the session's overall focus and/or goals, including any interactive component or audience engagement strategy. It should also provide a brief mention of the content to be covered by each of the individual speakers and presenters. If you submit the session for CE consideration, the abstract will also be used to review the session for CE eligibility.
Scheduling Accommodations (optional)
If any of the participants require scheduling accommodations related to religious beliefs or other protected statuses, please provide details.
Consideration for CE Credit (optional)
If you would like your session to be considered for CE eligibility, select Yes. You will be asked to provide additional information.
Presenter and Presentation Information
Each Symposium includes 2-3 presentations. You will need to provide information about each of the presentations and presenters that make up your Symposium.
Presenter Name and Affiliation
Add each presenter in the Symposium using their last name and email address.
If the presenter does not already have a contact created, you will need to add them as a contact with their:
- first name,
- last name,
- email address, and
- organization.
Presentation Title
75 characters max, including spaces
This title should be unique to each presentation and different from the overall session title.
If your Symposium includes a session chair or discussant, indicate those roles here. For example, enter “Session Chair” as the presentation title.
Presentation Abstract
Max 300 words
Provide a 300-word abstract for each presentation in the Symposium.
If your Symposium includes roles like session chair or discussant, enter “N/A” as the abstract for the corresponding presentation.
Submit for CE
Your Symposium can offer continuing education (CE) credit! Being a CE presenter gives you greater visibility in the APA 2027 program and an additional achievement you can note on your CV.
The Call for Proposals closed at 5 p.m. ET, January 14, 2025.
APA 2025 will feature four different session types: Critical Conversations, Flash Talks, Skill-Building Sessions, or Symposia. Learn more about each session type below.
For additional division-specific information and program chairperson contact details, click
here.
IMPORTANT! ALL presenters and program participants—members, nonmembers, and students—are required to register and pay the appropriate registration fees for APA 2027. Registration will open in April. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco, CA, or virtually!
