NAFSA

NAFSA is the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA’s 10,000 members are located at more than 3,500 institutions worldwide, in over 150 countries.

https://www.nafsa.org/about/about-nafsa

NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo｜Orlando , FL｜2026.5.26~5.29

NAFSA, the world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, invites you to the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo. We are pleased to welcome you to our most exciting conference ever in Orlando, Florida.

Global by Design

In an era defined by unprecedented globalization, international education stands at the forefront of shaping a more collaborative, creative, and inclusive world. The theme "Global by Design" invites us to move with intention—to recognize that global engagement doesn’t happen by chance, but through thoughtful planning, bold innovation, and sustained action.

Through this conference theme, we explore how to design the future of our field with purpose and imagination. Together, we’ll examine how forward-thinking strategies, cutting-edge approaches, and creative partnerships can amplify our impact and expand access to meaningful global experiences. This way, we can build a global education landscape that is not only responsive, but visionary— in other words, built by design.

Official Website

https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2026-annual-conference-expo

Topics and Sub-Topics

Topics：
Global By Design

Sub-Topics：

What is happening around us? What are we seeing? How are we responding creatively?
Where does our collective power lie? How can we effectively advocate? How can we be intentional in the creation of the field we want to see?
How can we tell our story to support the advancement of the field?
Where do the most exciting opportunities in international education lie? Where do we see the most potential?
What are the needs and interests of current and future students and scholars? How does the field meet those needs?
What are new strategies to support international educators in managing the unexpected?

Content Priorities
The annual conference content priorities provide a framework to facilitate the development of a dynamic, cohesive, and compelling program. As you consider submitting a proposal, the Annual Conference Committee invites reflection on the following topics:

Communication strategies for using data to tell a powerful story and advocate for the importance of the field and our work
Shifting student interests and needs, and innovative responses
The importance of the role of global experiences and designing creative programs and structures that support that role
Innovative applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in international education, as well as ethical considerations and potential disruptions
Paths for progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
International perspectives on approaches and practices in student, faculty, and staff support
Global outlooks on trends in the field
Emerging research that bridges knowledge gaps and presents new insights
The importance of international education in fostering intercultural understanding and belonging
Best practices in student and scholar advising focus areas, including immigration, academic learning, and career development
Solution-focused topics related to NAFSA’s knowledge communities and NAFSA’s International Education Professional Competencies

For more information about the submission process, you can download the NAFSA 2026 CFP Submission Guide, as well as a sample form to use as a template for your submission.

Important Schedule

Session and workshops: August 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST
Posters: November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET

Contact Info