The AHA's annual meeting is the largest yearly gathering of historians in the United States.
All historians are welcome and encouraged to submit proposals. The AHA also invites historically focused proposals from colleagues in related disciplines and from AHA affiliated societies. The Program Committee will consider all proposals that advance the study, teaching, and public presentation of history.
The Association seeks submissions on the histories of all places, periods, people, and topics; on the uses of diverse sources and methods, including digital history; and on theory and the uses of history itself in a wide variety of venues.
We invite proposals for sessions in a variety of formats and encourage lively interaction among presenters and with the audience.
The Program Committee welcomes proposals from all historians, whatever their institutional affiliation or status, and historians working outside the United States. With the exception of foreign scholars and those from other disciplines, all persons appearing on the program must be members of the AHA, although membership is not required to submit a proposal. All participants must register for the meeting when registration opens. The Association aspires to represent the full diversity of its membership at the annual meeting.
Important Information
Before beginning a submission, be sure to review the Annual Meeting Guidelines for important policies and guidance on crafting an effective proposal. The FAQ and effective proposals pages have additional information, including suggestions for creative session formats.
This call for proposals is for the in-person annual meeting. Participants on accepted panels are expected to be available for all session slots, to the extent practicable. We can accommodate schedule requests based on religious practice, ADA requests, and other obligations, which should be submitted with the proposal.
Historians from the United States appearing on the program are required to be AHA members. Everyone on the program must register for the meeting when registration opens in the fall.
Session Proposals
Sessions last for 90 minutes. Most sessions will be limited to four speakers plus a chair. The Program Committee will accept proposals for complete sessions only. We encourage organizers to build sessions that bring together diverse perspectives. The AHA maintains a public spreadsheet intended to connect potential presenters and session organizers.
Poster Proposals
The meeting will feature a poster session to allow historians to share their research through visual materials. Proposals for single, individual presentations may be submitted as posters.
Submission Deadline
The deadline for the 2026 meeting in Chicago will be February 15, 2025. A link to the submission portal will be posted on this page later this fall. Consult Session Proposal Details above and the Annual Meeting Guidelines to start developing your session (remember, individual paper proposals are not accepted).
Submit Your Proposal
Creative Session Formats
The Program Committee encourages proposals for interactive and innovative session formats. See examples of session formats that have worked in the past.
Effective Proposals
Get advice about crafting an effective session or poster proposal, think about creative options for structuring your panel, and get advice about finding others interested in organizing a panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to common questions about submitting session and poster proposals, presenting in absentia, and the maximum number of presenters per session.