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Call for Proposals

Submit a Proposal

Present at CBIE2024

We invite you to be part of our conference program!

The Future in Focus: Advancing International Education in Times of Uncertainty

The international education sector is at a pivotal moment both at home and globally, facing a period of uncertainty and transformation. The path ahead will bring challenges that need to be met with bold ideas, creative approaches, and decisive action. To navigate this shifting landscape, we must collaborate across the sector, rethinking our strategies and bringing together diverse perspectives across the full spectrum of international education. From student mobility and research collaboration to talent development and global engagement we must recalibrate our efforts to find sustainable, inclusive and impactful ways to move forward.

Taking place in Québec City, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Huron-Wendat People, CBIE2025 – The Future in Focus will provide space for sector leaders, practitioners, and collaborators to share knowledge, forge meaningful partnerships, and explore new ideas to bring the future of international education into focus.

We invite you to submit a proposal for CBIE2025. Please carefully review the guidelines below. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information.

Important Dates

Call for Proposals opens February 18, 2025
Call for Proposals closes (5:00 pm EDT – Ottawa, Ontario local time) April 1, 2025
Decision notifications July 2025
Speakers to confirm participation July 2025
Early bird registration and payment deadline September 20, 2025

Proposal Information

Please review the guidelines below before submitting a proposal.

Conference Speaker Eligibility and Considerations

Submissions are welcome from anyone interested in presenting to a diverse audience. Should your proposal be accepted, all speakers indicated in the proposal must register for the conference. Speakers will be expected to attend CBIE2025 to present their session in-person.

Submitting Multiple Proposals

You may submit up to three separate conference session proposals as either the primary speakerer or as a co-speaker.

Language of Proposals

The program committee welcomes submissions written in English or French. Concurrent sessions may be presented or delivered in English, French, or bilingually. Concurrent session proposals must be submitted in the language(s) in which they will be presented. If you are submitting a bilingual proposal, please include English and French text in your submission.

Speaker Guidelines

  • Speakers are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues and professionals from outside their institutions/organizations on session proposals. Where possible, speakers are encouraged to offer tools, resources, or frameworks that can be shared with attendees.
  • Sessions that pertain to marketing products or services will not be accepted.
  • Submissions can be edited up until the call for proposal submission deadline. Once the deadline has passed, edits will not be permitted or accepted. Email submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete submissions or submissions with missing information will be automatically disqualified and deleted.

Session Primary Contact

Each proposal must designate a primary contact to liaise with CBIE regarding all aspects of the proposal and, if selected, the session. This individual will be responsible for coordinating with session speakers, sharing important conference updates, and ensuring all speakers are registered for the event. Additionally, the primary contact must provide any required supporting materials for the proposal and/or session as requested by CBIE.

When selecting a primary contact, choose someone who can consistently communicate with our team. While the primary contact does not need to be a session speaker, they must confirm each speaker’s participation and work collaboratively with CBIE to ensure the session is well-organized.

Registration and Fees

  • Speakers are required to register for the conference and pay the applicable conference fee to secure their session slot. Failure to register by the deadline provided may result in the loss of their place in the conference program.
  • Please note that confirming your session participation does not automatically register speakers for the conference. All speakers must complete their registration through the official registration site to attend.
  • Speakers must be registered by September 20, 2025. Session speakers who are not registered by this date may be removed from the final program at the committee’s discretion. A discount code toward a full-conference pass will be provided.

Notifications and Acceptance

  • Speakers will be notified about the status of their proposal in July 2025.
  • If a session is accepted, the primary contact must confirm the participation of all speakers with the CBIE conference team as per the instructions provided.
  • Once participation is confirmed, speakers will receive a welcome email with login instructions for their online Speaker Portal. All session-related communication, including conference updates, will be managed exclusively through the Speaker Portal.

Virtual Presentations

All speakers must attend the conference in person, as virtual sessions are not supported. If your session requires a virtual element, you may choose to include a pre-recorded video embedded in your presentation. Two-way virtual presentations (e.g., via Zoom) are not available.

Proposal Submission Tracks

Each submission must identify one (1) primary track from the list below that best represents the session’s focus area. Additionally, each submission will need to identify one (1) secondary track should the primary focus area receive an excess of submissions, optimizing the proposal’s chance of success.

Proposal Submission Tracks

  • International Relations, Projects + Partnerships
    Example topics: Strategies for creating mutually beneficial collaborations; rethinking partnerships through an equity and decolonization lens; or managing complex partnerships.
  • Internationalization at Home
    Example topics: Decolonizing the curriculum, fostering intercultural and global competencies through curricular and co-curricular experiential learning; leveraging technology to enhance global learning experiences; or engaging alumni as ambassadors.
  • International Student Advising
    Example topics: Understanding policy and process changes in study permits, post-graduation work permits (PGWP), and pathways to permanent residence; examining ethical dilemmas in advising and how to navigate them; or developing culturally responsive advising practices.
  • Learning Abroad
    Example topics: Orientation and wraparound student supports; cultivating global citizenship; virtual exchanges and online learning; safety and risk management; sustainability and ethical considerations; or expanding access and equity.
  • Marketing, Recruitment + Admissions
    Example topics: Developing effective recruitment strategies; utilizing digital marketing; working with international education agents; providing holistic admissions and evaluation processes; or presenting data and trends for informed decision-making.
  • International Student Support, Success and Transitions
    Example topics: Providing comprehensive support services; preparing for the global job market; addressing mental health and well-being; fostering a sense of belonging and community; or supporting the transition to post-graduation.
  • International Education Leadership
    Example topics: Leading change and innovation in international education; resource management and sustainability of programs or departments; quality assurance and evaluation; or presenting data and trends for informed decision-making.

Proposal Submission Cross-Cutting Themes

Submissions can select up to three (3) cross-cutting themes reflecting topics or issues that intersect and are relevant across multiple areas of focus.

Proposal Submission Cross-Cutting Themes

  • Justice, Equity, Diversity + Inclusion
  • Indigenization and Intercultural Perspectives
  • Sustainability + Climate Action
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • Practitioner Career Planning and Pathways
  • Academic Research

Session Formats

All session formats are 60 minutes in length and should leave time for a question and answer (Q&A) period. Speakers may choose from the session formats below.

All sessions, regardless of format, will take place in rooms arranged with either theatre seating or round tables. Due to the size of the conference, the room setup will not be changed. Speakers should ensure their session is adaptable to either of the room configurations mentioned.

Presentations | 60 minutes

  • Presentations focus on knowledge-sharing by leaders and practitioners.
  • Presentations are 60 minutes and should ensure at least 15 minutes of attendee engagement.
  • Presentations must have a minimum of two (2) and up to four (4) speakers.

Interactive Discussions | 60 minutes

  • Interactive discussions focus on peer-to-peer exchange.
  • They are 60 minutes and should ensure at least 45 minutes of attendee engagement.
  • Interactive discussions must have no more than two (2) facilitators.

Panel Sessions | 60 minutes

  • Panel sessions focus on sharing diverse perspectives and expertise on a topic.
  • Panel sessions have the option to include a visual presentation, but it is not required. The moderator should help to manage the discussion and audience questions.
  • Panel sessions must have two (2) and up to four (4) speakers, and may choose to include a moderator.

Proposal Evaluation

How Are Proposals Evaluated?

  • Proposals are evaluated by an external committee using the table outlined in the ‘Evaluation Criteria’ section.
  • Proposals will be evaluated with consideration of how closely they relate to your selected track and theme.

Who is Part of the Proposal Review Committee?

The Proposal Review Committee is tasked with selecting the best proposals to create the annual conference program. The Committee is representative of CBIE’s community, and includes practitioners from across the country with expertise in various areas of international education.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation grid outlines the areas against which your proposal will be marked. Please be detailed and thorough in your descriptions.

The content is relevant to the field, informative and useful to international education professionals and/or stakeholders. Up to 15 points
The proposal is thoughtful, well-structured, and interesting for the field of international education. Up to 15 points
The session agenda is well organized. The proposal implies an interactive presentation delivery, Up to 10 points
The proposal is articulated professionally and clearly and implies a quality presentation. Up to 15 points
The learning outcomes are meaningful, clearly identified, and imply professional development for delegates. Up to 15 points
The speakers’ qualifications and experience demonstrate knowledge and expertise on the subject matter. Up to 10 points
The session content is innovative and brings new ideas and insights to the sector. Up to 10 points
The title and abstract accurately reflect the proposal content. Up to 5 points
The session provides multiple and diverse perspectives on the topic being presented. Up to 5 points

Maximum Potential of 100 Points

Submit a Proposal

For any questions, please contact conference-congres@cbie.ca or visit our Call for Proposals FAQ page.