Open callsUpdated November 3, 2026

Call for Speakers: Open CFPs for 2026 & 2027

These conferences have an open call for speakers right now. Below are 31 open calls with their deadlines, format and the speaker support on offer — in-person and virtual, across tech, healthcare, education, leadership and more. Create a free profile to see each event, get an AI fit score and apply with a ready-made pitch.

See all 31 calls matched to you Where else to find CFPs
Open calls
31
Closing in 30 days
7
Virtual or hybrid
8
Honorarium or travel support
8

Calls for speakers closing soonest

Event names and application links are visible to members. Deadlines are shown in UTC.

+19 more open calls for speakers

Sign up free to see every call, ranked by how well it fits your topics.

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From open call to accepted talk

1. Build your speaker profile

Add your topics, talks and experience once. It doubles as a public speaker page organizers can find.

2. Get matched to open calls

Every call for speakers is scored against your profile, so you only spend time on the ones that fit.

3. Apply with a ready pitch

Open the event, see the deadline and requirements, and send a tailored proposal drafted for you.

How to respond to a call for speakers

Organizers read hundreds of proposals, so the speakers who get picked make the reviewer's job easy. Before you write anything, read the call for speakers twice: note the audience, the themes the organizer lists, the session formats and lengths, and what they offer speakers.

Lead with the audience's problem. A strong title promises a specific outcome, and the abstract explains what attendees will be able to do afterwards — not just what you will talk about. Three concrete takeaways beat a long list of topics.

Prove you can deliver it. Add a short bio focused on this topic, past talks or recordings, and any results you can point to. If you are newer to speaking, a case study or data from your own work carries the same weight. Our guide on writing a speaker bio shows what organizers look for.

Apply early and track deadlines. Many committees review proposals as they arrive, and deadlines cluster four to nine months before the event. Keep a simple pipeline of calls you are targeting, and check the other ways to find speaking opportunities so you are never relying on a single event. Not sure how strong your speaker presence is? Take the free Speaker Authority Audit.

Frequently asked questions

What is a call for speakers?

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A call for speakers (also called a call for papers, call for proposals or CFP) is an open invitation from an event organizer to submit a talk idea. You send a short proposal — title, abstract and bio — and the organizer picks the line-up from the submissions.

Are speakers paid for responding to a call for speakers?

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Some are. Many conferences offer an honorarium, travel support or a free pass instead of a fee, while community and association events are often unpaid. Each listing above shows the support offered when the organizer states it.

How far ahead should I apply?

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Most conferences close their call for speakers four to nine months before the event, so calls for 2027 events are open now. Shortlist calls with deadlines at least two weeks away so you have time to tailor each proposal.

How do I find calls for speakers that fit my topic?

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Create a free SpeakingGig profile with your topics and experience. The platform scores every open call against your profile, shows the event and application link, and drafts a pitch you can send.