2026 Impact Fellowships Summit: Call for Proposals

The Impact Fellowships Summit (IFS) 2026 invites fellowship leaders and practitioners to submit session proposals for its 10th anniversary convening. Learn about themes, dates, and how to contribute to shaping the future of fellowships.

2026 Impact Fellowships Summit: Call for Proposals to Shape the Future of Fellowships

The Impact Fellowships Summit (IFS) stands as a cornerstone gathering for fellowship leaders, designers, and practitioners from around the world. Each year, it brings together individuals and organizations committed to leadership development and social impact to learn from one another, share innovations, and collectively imagine what the future of fellowships can be. As the Summit approaches a milestone year, the call for proposals for IFS 2026 marks an exciting opportunity to co-create the next chapter of this global community of practice.

About the Impact Fellowships Summit

The Impact Fellowships Summit is the annual flagship convening of the Impact Fellowships Network (IFN). Designed as a highly participatory space, IFS goes beyond traditional conferences by centering collaboration, peer learning, and practical exchange. Participants are not simply attendees—they are contributors, facilitators, and co-designers of the experience.

At the Summit, fellowship professionals lead and engage in hands-on workshops, peer-led sessions, and collaborative dialogues. These sessions surface new ideas, strengthen fellowship program design, and spark partnerships that often extend well beyond the event itself. Over the years, IFS has cultivated a trusted environment where practitioners can openly share challenges, tools, strategies, and stories that drive real-world impact.

The Summit is intentionally structured to:

Elevate diverse voices across sectors, regions, and lived experiences
Encourage the sharing of practical tools and evidence-based approaches
Foster meaningful connections among changemakers committed to leadership development and social change

Celebrating a Decade of Connection at IFS 2026

The 2026 Impact Fellowships Summit is particularly significant, as it marks the 10th anniversary of convening this vibrant community. Taking place from April 27 to April 30, 2026, the Summit will be a dynamic hybrid event, bringing together fellowship professionals both virtually and in person.

Under the theme “A Decade of Connection: Shaping the Future Vision of Fellowships Together,” IFS 2026 will reflect on lessons learned over the past decade while looking ahead to emerging global challenges and opportunities. The theme invites participants to explore how fellowship programs can evolve to bridge divides, strengthen belonging, and amplify collective impact in an increasingly complex world.

The Summit’s hybrid format is designed to maximize accessibility and engagement. Virtual and in-person sessions will be thoughtfully integrated to ensure meaningful participation for a global audience.

Summit Dates and Format

The four-day Summit will unfold as follows:

April 27, 2026 – Virtual Engagement:
Online sessions designed for interactive learning and connection. Virtual sessions are most effective when limited to 60 minutes or less to maintain participant engagement.
April 28, 2026 – Virtual Engagement:
A continuation of virtual programming, offering opportunities for shared learning, dialogue, and networking across geographies.
April 29, 2026 – In-Person Engagement (Washington, D.C.):
On-the-ground convening with plenary sessions available virtually, allowing remote participants to stay connected to key moments.
April 30, 2026 – In-Person Engagement (Washington, D.C.):
The final day of in-person programming, with plenaries again accessible to virtual attendees.

Call for Session Proposals

IFS 2026 invites proposals that foster learning, sharing, and networking while promoting representative voices and diverse perspectives. The Steering Committee encourages submissions from fellowship professionals at all stages and across sectors, recognizing that expertise comes in many forms.

Proposed sessions may include workshops, facilitated discussions, peer-learning exchanges, or other interactive formats that align with the Summit’s mission and values. Each session has the potential to become a catalyst for meaningful connections and transformative ideas within the fellowship ecosystem.

How Proposals Are Evaluated

The IFS Steering Committee will review proposals using a set of clearly defined criteria to ensure alignment with the Summit’s goals and theme. These include:

Relevance to Conference Themes and IFN Values:
Proposals should align with IFN’s focus on leadership development, social impact, evidence-based learning, and creating a trusted space for fellowship practitioners.
Speaker Expertise and Diversity of Perspectives:
With a broad definition of “expert,” IFS welcomes presenters who bring varied experiences, insights, and approaches that can inform transformative solutions.
Presentation Quality:
Strong proposals include a clear structure, defined objectives, and engaging content that supports meaningful learning outcomes.
Audience Engagement and Shared Learning:
Preference is given to sessions that actively involve participants through discussions, Q&A, polls, or other interactive elements.

The Steering Committee’s goal is to accept as many high-quality proposals as possible that meet these criteria and fit within the Summit schedule.

Language and Accessibility

The working language of the Impact Fellowships Summit is English. While full translation services are not currently available, English captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided to support accessibility.

Be Part of Shaping the Future

IFS 2026 represents more than a conference—it is a collective effort to shape the future of fellowships together. By submitting a proposal, contributors join a global community dedicated to learning, connection, and impact. As the Summit celebrates a decade of collaboration, it also looks forward to the next ten years of innovation and shared purpose.

For questions or additional information about the 2026 Impact Fellowships Summit or the proposal process, interested participants are encouraged to reach out to the organizing team at [email protected].