Call for Proposals
Skill-building Sessions
Proposals due Wednesday, January 13, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET
Skill-Building sessions provide hands-on learning to help participants develop practical skills in an area of interest in psychology. Sessions should include interactive elements, like activities or discussions, to help attendees apply what they learn.
Topics may include (but are not limited to) demonstrations of methods, interviews, therapeutic or assessment techniques, or scientific and statistical approaches.
TIP! Make sure your proposal aligns with the goals of the Division you are submitting to by reviewing their program requirements.
All APA 2027 proposals must be submitted online through the call for proposals platform by Wednesday, January 13, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET.
Submit for CE
Your Skill-Building Session can offer continuing education (CE) credit! Being a CE presenter gives you greater visibility in the APA 2027 program and an additional achievement you can note on your CV.
What You’ll Need to Submit Your Skill-Building Session
Session Information
We recommend preparing your session information in a separate document, then copying and pasting it into the submission platform.
APA Division
The APA Division you are submitting to—see the full list of APA Divisions here.
Not sure which Division to submit to? Search the list to find the ones that cover your topic. Still can’t decide? Consider reaching out to the
Division program chairs to determine if your proposal is a good fit.
Session Title
75 characters max, including spaces
TIP! Attendees often decide which sessions to attend based on their titles. Make sure yours is clear and engaging, with the key words and concepts at the beginning.
Click here for examples.
Session Description
50 words max
This is a brief description of your Skill-Building Session that will appear in the APA 2026 program. It should provide a clear overview of the session and make the case for why this topic is relevant and useful to attendees.
Real-World Applications Statements
50 words each
Include two statements that highlight the practical applications of your proposed session, whether in policy, clinical settings, research, education, or any other setting.
For example,
“This session will offer a replicable stepped-care protocol for how culturally informed care can be implemented in clinical practice with LGBT youth,” or, “This session will present actionable recommendations clinicians can use when supporting clients through the VA service-based disability claims process.”
Session Abstract
250-300 words
The abstract should describe the session's overall focus and/or goals, including any interactive component or audience engagement strategy. It should also provide a brief mention of the content to be covered by each of the individual speakers/presenters. If you submit the session for CE consideration, the abstract will also be used to review the session for CE.
Scheduling Accommodations (optional)
If any of the participants require scheduling accommodations related to religious beliefs or other protected statuses, please provide details.
Presenter and Presentation Information
If your Skill-Building session includes multiple presentations or presenters, you will need to provide information about each presentation and presenter.
Presenter Names
Add each presenter using their last name and email address.
If the presenter is not already in the system, you will need to add them as a contact with their:
- first name,
- last name,
- email address, and
- organization.
Presentation Titles
For each presentation in your Skill-Building Session, enter "Presenter 1," "Presenter 2," etc. as the presentation title.
Presentation Abstract
Please enter "N/A" for the abstract.
Open Science Disclosure (optional)
APA encourages researchers to use
open science practices, and APA 2027 presenters can earn an open science badge for doing so. Badges will be placed next to eligible presentation titles in the APA 2027 program.
The Call for Proposals closed at 5 p.m. ET, January 14, 2025.
APA 2025 will feature four different session types: Critical Conversations, Flash Talks, Skill-Building Sessions, or Symposia. Learn more about each session type below.
For additional division-specific information and program chairperson contact details, click
here.
IMPORTANT! ALL presenters and program participants—members, nonmembers, and students—are required to register and pay the appropriate registration fees for APA 2027. Registration will open in April. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco, CA, or virtually!
