COMMUNITY exchange
Call for Proposals

Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals is now CLOSED. We would like to thank all of you who submitted proposals for Community Exchange 2026. Browse the program.

The Call for Working Meetings is open

Three Interconnected Themes

All proposals are encouraged to align with one or more of these three interconnected themes, each involving the strategic integration of technology with IT leadership as a full partner in planning and implementation:

1. Emerging Technology
2. Data Privacy, Security, and Awareness
3. IT Funding and Resource Sustainability Challenges

Theme 1: Emerging Technology

Focus: The impact of new technologies, policies, and practices on research and education, particularly addressing challenges for under-resourced institutions and distributed organizations.

Potential Topic Areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Language Models in Education
  • Ethical implementation frameworks and governance models
  • Predictive analytics for institutional success
  • Case studies of successful AI adoption in resource-constrained environments
• Quantum Computing Business Models and Applications
  • Research applications and collaboration opportunities
  • Preparing institutions for the quantum computing era
• Emerging Technology Adoption Strategies
  • Overcoming barriers to implementation at under-resourced institutions
  • Supporting distributed workforces and virtual organizations
  • Facilitating global research collaborations across diverse institutional settings
• Innovative Cloud Computing and Edge Computing Strategies
  • Scalable infrastructure solutions for resource-constrained institutions
  • Hybrid cloud strategies for research data management
  • Cost optimization, vendor management, and procurement approaches

Proposal Type Examples:

• Case studies of successful technology implementations
• Lessons learned from challenging deployments
• Innovative approaches to technology adoption with limited resources
• Cross-institutional collaboration models
• Policy frameworks for emerging technology governance

Theme 2: Data Privacy, Security, and Awareness

Focus: Strategies for protecting data while implementing digital transformation initiatives.

Potential Topic Areas:

• Cybersecurity Strategies and Best Practices
  • Institutional security assessment and improvement strategies
  • Incident response and recovery procedures
  • Multi-institutional security collaboration models
• Data Privacy and Compliance
  • CMMC, FERPA, GDPR, NIST 800-171, and other regulatory compliance strategies
  • Change management implementation
  • Data governance policies and procedures
• Collaborative Multi-institutional Security Models
  • Multi-institutional authentication and authorization frameworks
  • Student lifecycle identity management
  • Federated identity solutions for research collaborations
  • Privileged access management and zero-trust architecture implementation
• Security Awareness and Training Programs
  • Effective security training for students, faculty, and staff
  • Measuring and improving security culture
  • Addressing human factors in cybersecurity

Proposal Type Examples:

• Security program implementation case studies
• Training and awareness campaign results
• Collaborative security initiatives between institutions
• Risk assessment frameworks and tools
• Incident response and lessons learned presentations
• Leading campus-wide CMMC compliance

Theme 3: IT Funding and Resource Sustainability Challenges

Focus: Strategies for managing IT costs, securing adequate resources, and maximizing impact with limited budgets while recruiting and retaining skilled personnel.

Potential Topic Areas:

• Strategic IT Financial Management
  • Cost optimization strategies and budget planning
  • ROI measurement and demonstration for technology investments
  • Creative funding approaches
• Staffing and Workforce Development
  • Recruitment and retention strategies for IT professionals
  • Professional development and career growth programs
  • Cross-training and skill development initiatives
• Technology Adoption and Change Management
  • Strategies for encouraging technology adoption by students, faculty, and staff
  • Effective user support and training programs
  • Digital literacy enhancement initiatives
• Resource Sharing and Collaboration
  • Consortium and partnership models for cost sharing
  • Shared services and infrastructure approaches
  • Community-driven technology development

Proposal Type Examples:

• Budget optimization success stories
• Collaborative resource sharing models
• Staff development program outcomes
• Technology adoption strategy case studies
• Change management frameworks and results

Proposal Guidelines

What Makes a Strong Proposal:

• Strategic Impact: Demonstrates institutional-level outcomes with measurable organizational change
• Leadership Perspective: Addresses governance, policy, or strategic planning challenges
• Practical Application: Demonstrates real-world implementation with measurable outcomes
• Community Relevance: Provides strategic insights and addresses challenges common to R&E institutions and organizations
• Transferable Insights: Provides actionable takeaways for other institutions and organizations
• Evidence-Based: Includes data, metrics, or evaluation results
• Adaptable and Extensible Models: Offers frameworks that can be adapted to different institutional contexts and strategic priorities

Presentation Formats Will Include:

• 20-, 30-, and 40-minute presentations with Q&A
• Interactive workshops (45-to-90 minutes)
• Panel discussions with multiple perspectives
• Lightning talks (5-7 minutes) for quick insights

Cross-Theme Proposals Welcome:

We especially encourage proposals that address multiple themes, as these interconnected challenges often require integrated solutions.