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Call for Proposals 2026
We are now accepting proposals from individuals, organizations and institutions interested in presenting at CAEL’s annual hybrid conference November 3-6, 2026, in Pittsburgh and online! Presenters will have the opportunity to share their expertise with a diverse audience of thought leaders from throughout the education-employment ecosystem. Our event brings together leaders from across the education-employment ecosystem, united by the conviction that upward mobility depends on the seamless alignment of higher education, workforce development, and industry. This strategic alliance—supported by chambers, funders, and community partners—is dedicated to ensuring the success of the adult learner.
Submission deadline is March 31st!
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Hybrid Event: The 2026 CAEL Conference is planned as a hybrid event experience -- we hope that many choose to join us in person in Pittsburgh, but we will have engaging participation and presentation options for those who prefer to participate virtually.
All session proposals must be submitted by March 31, 2026 via our online submission form. We will notify selected presenters in July.
NOTE: All accepted presenters (virtual or in person) are required to register for the CAEL conference.
Workshops
A 50-minute session on a timely topic aligned to one or more Learning Tracks and are designed to introduce colleagues to a topic the presenter is expert in. Workshops must include interactive elements and are designed to introduce colleagues to a topic the presenter is expert in. Attendees can expect to gain actionable takeaways from participating in a workshop. Workshops are not meant to get feedback on a program, product, or service.
Formats Available:
EdTalks and WorkforceTalks
Quick-fire, 7-minute sessions with strict guidelines. These rapid presentations are scheduled sequentially in one space and provide CAEL’s audience with a concise introduction to an intriguing topic.
Formats Available:
Networking Roundtables
An informal 45-minute facilitated discussion, where multiple presentations occur concurrently. Roundtables are designed for informal and engaging conversation.
Formats Available:
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Your proposal will undergo careful evaluation by the conference committee and will be assigned to any of the formats based on the content’s scope and proposed engagement strategies. Ensure your submission aligns with the session guidelines to maximize its impact.
Submit your proposal today to inspire and engage our audience!
2026 Learning Tracks
The wide range of topics and ideas to be explored at the 2026 conference align with CAEL's mission and vision, as supported by CAEL's key organizational priorities: access and innovation, credit for prior learning (CPL), industry partnerships and career pathways, public policy, and adult learner engagement.
As adult learners increasingly seek recognition for learning acquired outside the classroom, institutions must move beyond "one-off" assessments. This track explores the next generation of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). We are seeking proposals on:
Statewide Scaling: Lessons from system and state-level policy implementation.
AI-Enhanced Assessment: Using technology to streamline portfolio review and crosswalk development.
Military & Workforce Mapping: Case studies on converting professional licenses and military training into digital academic credit.
Workforce Pell Implementation: Navigating the new landscape of short-term credential funding.
Degree-Integrated Apprenticeships: How to wrap academic credit around employer-led training.
Skills-Based Hiring: Moving from degree-first to skills-first recruitment using Learning and Employment Records (LERs).
Strategic Auditing: Using the ALLIES (spell it out on site) Framework to identify and remove institutional friction points. (list on site)
Data-Driven Retention: Leveraging data and diagnostics to predict and prevent stop-outs.
Financial Sustainability: Models for justifying adult learner initiatives through long-term ROI and community impact.
Holistic Support Systems: Collaborative models for childcare, transportation, and emergency financial aid.
SNAP E&T Partnerships: Leveraging the $1.4M USDA grant models to support low-income learners.
Closing the Equity Gap: Specific strategies that have increased attainment for underserved populations, such as Latino, Black, and rural adult learners.
In an era of shifting demographics and the "enrollment cliff," traditional recruitment strategies are no longer sufficient. This track explores a modernized, 360-degree approach to the adult learner journey. We are moving beyond transactional enrollment toward a relationship-based model that prioritizes the student’s career goals from day one.
We are seeking proposals on:
Precision Outreach: Using data analytics and AI to identify and engage "near-completers" and displaced workers.
Frictionless Onboarding: Reducing "melt" through streamlined transcript evaluation and rapid-response financial aid modeling.
The Persistence Engine: Predictive modeling and proactive advising strategies that keep adult learners engaged during high-risk life events.
Alumni Re-Engagement: Strategies for continuous learning loops where graduates return for upskilling throughout their careers
We are seeking proposals on:
The Coalition Model: How to build and sustain industry-led education alliances.
Stackable Career Pathways: Designing "lattice" pathways where employees move from micro-credentials to degrees while working.
The Digital Infrastructure: Using Learning and Employment Records (LERs) and skills-based badges to verify industry-vetted competencies.
Sustainability & Fiscal Agency: The business side of partnerships—tuition discount models, membership fees, and grant-braiding.
We are seeking proposals on:
The New Currency of Skills: Real-world implementations of Learning and Employment Records (LERs), digital badges, and verified skill wallets.
AI & Machine Learning in Adult Ed: Using AI to automate Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) mapping, personalize learning pathways, and predict student "stop-out" risks.
Interoperability & Integration: Technical case studies on connecting college data (SIS) with employer hiring systems (HRIS) to facilitate direct-to-interview pipelines.
Governance & Ethics in AI: Developing institutional policies for the responsible use of Generative AI in curriculum design and student assessment.
Timeline
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FAQs
Proposal Requirements
- Proposals should emphasize a relevant subject and investigate the trends and advancements at the intersection of the postsecondary & workforce and economic development space. They should also aim to showcase inventive solutions, distribute research findings, and explore emerging or exemplary practices.
- Proposals are required to present specific learning outcomes/goals along with a well-defined strategy to actively involve the audience.
- The titles and descriptions of accepted proposals will be featured on the CAEL conference website.
- The CAEL conference committee will evaluate and assess proposals based on a rubric which emphasizes clarity, timeliness, quality of content & learning outcomes.
- The conference committee has the option to reject a submitter’s preferred format and propose an alternative. Before choosing the preferred presentation format for submission, please thoroughly review the available options provided.
- All requested speaker information should be included in the proposal submission. If selected, this information will be displayed on the conference website.
- Proposals are evaluated by committee and rated on the following criteria: completion; clarity; interactivity; content; learning outcomes; relevance and alignment with CAEL's theory of change, specifically the ultimate outcome that all adult learners have an equitable opportunity for, and success in, obtaining credentials and skills that lead to well-paying, good quality jobs, increased earnings and economic mobility, and an improved quality of life.
- Deadline for submission will be March 31, 2026. Accepted proposals will be announced by mid-July.
Presentation Formats
- What is a Workshop? - Workshops will consist of 50-minute sessions aligned with seven learning tracks, running concurrently with one live-streamed session. These workshops aim to encourage interaction and collaboration among conference attendees. Workshop attendees can expect to gain actionable takeaways from participating in a workshop. They are not intended for soliciting feedback on programs, products, or services, nor do they follow a lecture-style presentation format. Virtual workshops can be presented in real time or pre-recorded.
- What are The Talks? - EdTalks and WorkforceTalks are quick-fire sessions, each lasting 7 minutes, conducted with precise guidelines, offering CAEL's collective audience a brief exploration of compelling topics within our field. These talks are sequentially arranged in a single space and moderated. Presentations must adhere to a maximum of 7 minutes and utilize no more than 14 slides, ensuring legibility with a minimum font size of 28pt.
- Virtual Opportunities - The 2026 CAEL Conference is designed to offer a hybrid event experience, providing opportunities for both in-person attendance in Pittsburgh and engaging participation and presentation options for those who prefer to join virtually.
Speakers
- The speakers chosen for the event are accountable for covering all expenses related to participation, encompassing registration fees, accommodation, and travel costs. No discounts, beyond those available to CAEL members, are offered to speakers.
- To be considered for the selection of their proposal, speakers are required to remain available for the entirety of the conference duration across all days. CAEL will attempt to accommodate schedule conflicts, but cannot guarantee session placement on a preferred date or time.
- All selected speakers must register and pay to attend the 2026 CAEL Conference by August 31st, 2026.
- Accepted speakers will receive access to the speaker resource center, allowing them to review their accepted proposal, update contact information, and upload presentation resources. The deadline for these actions is October 18th.
For any additional questions, please contact conference@cael.org