NCA 2026 Summer Programs: Call for Proposals Deadline
THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS JANUARY 16.
Doctoral Honors Seminar
NCA’s Doctoral Honors Seminar, under the auspices of NCA’s Research Council, has a long-standing tradition of bringing together Communication doctoral students and several of the discipline’s distinguished scholars to discuss theory and research in the Communication arts/sciences. The seminar allows students to interact with and learn from senior scholars, receive daily individualized coaching on research and dissertations, and network with other doctoral students. Seminars are normally held annually at a selected host institution. About 30 doctoral students are chosen to participate based on submitted papers and advisor recommendations. Participants must be NCA members. Students must assume that they will pay for their own travel (including ground transportation) to the Seminar; all accommodations and other expenses should be provided by the host institution. (If not, participants must be clearly informed, well in advance, about on-site expenses not provided by the host institution.
Institute for Faculty Development
Formerly known unofficially as the “Hope Conference,” the NCA Institute for Faculty Development is an event held each summer to help undergraduate faculty stay abreast of ongoing changes and issues in Communication theory and research. This five-day conference, under the auspices of NCA’s Teaching & Learning Council, offers participants an opportunity to network with fellow undergraduate scholar-teachers and learn from, and with, leading scholars in the field. The 2026 Institute will be virtual (subject to Legislative Assembly approval).
Originally aimed at attracting faculty from smaller colleges and universities, the Institute has been hosted by Hope College (Holland, MI), Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, VA), and Denison Uni-versity (Granville, OH), University of Nevada, Reno (online), and Duquesne University (Pittsburgh and online).
The Institute is normally held annually at a selected host institution. Up to 60 participants are chosen through a competitive application process. All attendees must be NCA members. If held in person, attendees must assume that they will pay for their travel to the Institute plus expenses not paid for by the host institution, about which attendees will be informed.
Proposals are being accepted for hosting upcoming iterations of the NCA Institute for Faculty Development. Proposals for one-, two-, and three-year hosts are accepted and multi-year hosts are preferred. Hosts receive $16,000 each host year to cover in-person event costs and up to $10,000 each host year to cover virtual event costs (subject to Legislative Assembly approval); hosts must return any unused funds. Please see the “Event Description and Host Expectations” section for a general description of the Institute and other expectations of hosts.
CALL IS CLOSED
Mid-Career Scholars’ Writing Retreat
NCA’s Mid-Career Scholars’ Writing Retreat, held under the auspices of the NCA’s Research Council, provides the opportunity for intensive writing time for associate professors who want to finish an in-progress project that will get them promoted to full professor. Retreat participants have uninterrupted time to work towards the completion of scholarship and/or a creative project. The MCSWR is specifically targeted to faculty who have been Associate Professors for at least 5 years (that is, tenured in 2020-21 or earlier).
During the retreat, participants have the opportunity to meet and consult with one or two (depending on participants’ number) facilitators/mentors, who will provide general advice on scholarly productivity, writing, and career management. Participant applications will be strongly encouraged to reflect the diversity of scholarship and creative activity in the discipline. Applicants are not limited by area of inquiry, topic, method, or affiliation (interest group, division, etc.). Because facilitators will focus on broad writing guidance and professional development, it is not necessary that projects be related to facilitators’ own research foci. Participants are expected to present their projects on a panel at the 2027 NCA Convention.
The Retreat normally is held annually at a selected host institution. About 8-10 faculty members are chosen to participate based on submitted papers and plans. Faculty should assume that they will need to pay for their own travel to the Retreat; traditionally, all accommodations and other expenses are provided by the host institution.
If not, the host institution must notify participants well in advance. Proposals are being accepted for hosts for the 2026 MCSWR. Proposals are typically for one hosting year; however, multi-year proposals will be considered. Hosts will receive a $10,000 NCA grant (subject to Legislative Assembly approval) to cover event costs.
To apply or for questions about hosting the event, please email the NCA Research Department.
