The 2026 NICE Call for Proposals has officially closed
All submitters will receive a status update by early March.
The NICE 2026 Planning Committee is seeking timely, topical, and thought-provoking presentations for the annual conference and expo. The conference is an opportunity to bring together employers of cybersecurity practitioners and representatives from education, training, certification, and workforce development communities to promote collaboration and highlight effective and innovative approaches from industry, government, and academia.
This year’s theme, From Foundations to the Future: Transforming the Cybersecurity Workforce, honors our historical roots while looking boldly ahead. This theme highlights the ongoing evolution of workforce development and the sustained efforts of connecting foundational practices with innovative, inclusive approaches designed to address emerging technologies and future challenges.
Before submitting your proposal, please review the information in the Proposal Submission section, including the submission instructions and the proposal rubric. The rubric will give you a better understanding of how proposals will be evaluated by the committee.
Topics of Interest
Anticipating the Impact of Critical and Emerging Technology on Cybersecurity Work
Exploring how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, are reshaping cybersecurity roles, required skills, and training approaches. With AI innovation accelerating, introducing both advancements for and challenges to cybersecurity, bold, forward-thinking strategies are needed to prepare students and professionals for a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. The focus is on how education and workforce programs must adapt to stay ahead of the next wave of technological disruption.
Building a Robust Cybersecurity Ecosystem
Creating a robust and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem through collaborative efforts between academia, industry, non-profits, international stakeholders, and government to create a robust and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem. This topic also explores key levers such as funding models, cross-sector governance structures, and shared infrastructure that enable effective collaboration and long-term resilience.
Bridging and Expanding Pathways into Cybersecurity Careers
Exploring innovative, inclusive approaches to help career seekers successfully enter the cybersecurity workforce. This includes approaches such as experiential learning programs, work-based learning, apprenticeships, certifications, and other models that help individuals build both the technical and professional skills needed for cybersecurity roles. The focus is on closing the gap between education, training, and real-world readiness and highlighting creative solutions that provide individuals with the hands-on experience employers are seeking.
Harnessing the Military Community as a Cybersecurity Workforce Force Multiplier
Assisting military personnel, spouses, and families to successfully transition into cybersecurity careers by leveraging their unique skills, discipline, and mission-driven experience. Proposal should highlight scalable models, such as DoD SkillBridge, Guard/Reserve partnerships, and military spouse networks, that support these transitions, while also addressing national workforce shortages and strengthening critical infrastructure resilience.
Promoting Postsecondary Education Initiatives
Highlighting the unique role of postsecondary education, including community colleges and technical institutes, in cybersecurity education and their innovative approaches to workforce development.
Sustaining and Supporting the Cybersecurity Workforce
Focusing on strategies to retain cybersecurity professionals, address the shortage of qualified educators, and improve alignment between HR teams and cybersecurity hiring managers. This includes reviewing how job requirements are defined, ensuring hiring processes reflect real-world competencies, and building partnerships that support professional development, mentorship, and long-term workforce growth.
Utilizing Skills-based Assessment
Exploring skills-based approaches to measuring competencies and evaluating the ability to perform cybersecurity work. This topic focuses on practical methods for aligning assessments with job requirements, supporting workforce readiness, and creating more inclusive pathways into the field through demonstrated skills.
Identifying Cybersecurity Skills and Talent Gaps Through Data-Driven Insights
Leveraging data to identify the skills needed for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Using insights to understand workforce demand, uncover talent gaps, determining the efficiency of cybersecurity skills, and identify effective mechanisms for skilled development, thereby positioning the cybersecurity workforce for long-term success.
Developing Workplace Skills for Cybersecurity Careers
Addressing the importance of workplace skills (also known as soft skills, employability skills, or durability skills) such as communication, teamwork, and professionalism in preparing the cybersecurity workforce. This topic explores how gaps in workplace skills impact hiring and advancement, especially for students and career changers. It also considers how to keep students and educators engaged in cybersecurity by fostering inspiration, relevance, and clear connections to real-world impact. It also explores scalable strategies for supporting communities and highlights partnerships between educators and employers to integrate these skills into curriculum, internships, and apprenticeships.
Supporting Cybersecurity Readiness for Small Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations
Exploring strategies to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations, especially those in rural areas or those supporting critical infrastructure, overcome limited budgets, staffing, and access to trained cybersecurity talent. This includes identifying ways the broader ecosystem can provide support through partnerships, shared services, and scalable education and workforce development solutions.
Proposal Submissions
The NICE 2026 Planning Committee is seeking timely, topical, and thought-provoking presentations for the annual conference and expo. The conference is an opportunity to bring together employers of cybersecurity practitioners and representatives from education, training, certification, and workforce development communities to promote collaboration and highlight effective and innovative approaches from industry, government, non-profit organizations, and academia.
This year’s theme, From Foundations to the Future: Transforming the Cybersecurity Workforce, honors our historical roots while looking boldly ahead. This theme highlights the ongoing evolution of workforce development and the sustained efforts of connecting foundational practices with innovative, inclusive approaches designed to address emerging technologies and future challenges.
We encourage proposals from an array of organizations and individuals with different perspectives. We are especially interested in proposals that showcase critical and emerging technologies, forward-thinking solutions, and actionable insights that address current and anticipated challenges in workforce development; ensuring the field remains agile, inclusive, and prepared for the future.
Before submitting your proposal, please review the proposal rubric. The rubric will give you a better understanding of how proposals will be evaluated by the committee.
Please note: We do not provide or cover travel expenses for accepted speakers. All accepted speakers will be responsible for their own registration, travel, and lodging. To ensure transparency, all submitters will be asked to acknowledge this during the proposal submission process. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us make the conference a meaningful experience for all.
The following considerations will also apply:
• Proposals should attempt to align with the goals and objectives of the NICE Strategic Plan.
• Where appropriate, proposals shoulder consider uses of the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework).
• Proposals should also consider effective practices and solutions rather than merely admiring the problem.
• Proposals will be evaluated and selected based on the quality of the written proposal, diversity of topics and presenters, and alignment with the conference theme and tracks.
• Depending on your topic, please consider the best format for your presentation, lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations of concepts or solutions, or interactive forums. Special consideration will be given to proposals that include audience engagement as part of the presentation.
You will have three presentation styles to select from:
1. Breakout Sessions (45 minutes)
2. Pre-Conference Workshop (3.5 hours)
Be prepared to submit the following information for breakout sessions or pre-conference workshop:
• Presentation Title (maximum of 10 words)
• Session Description (maximum of 150 words)
• Presenter’s names, emails, affiliation, and biography (maximum of 75 words for bio and limited to three speakers)
• Intended Audience (maximum of 25 words)
• Intended Learning Outcomes (maximum of 75 words)
• Session Outline (maximum of 75 words)
• Active Learning Activities (maximum of 150 words and only for pre-conference workshop)
*Please note there is a word limit.
Call for Proposals has officially closed
| Criteria | Evaluation Criteria | Rating (0 – Needs Improvement , 1 – Satisfacory, 2 Excellent) | Weight | Total (Rating x Weight) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presenters | Are the presenters knowledgeable and experienced in the topic area? | .20 | ||
| Theme | How well do the title, abstract, and learning objectives align with the theme of this year’s conference? | .15 | ||
| Format & Delivery | Does the presentation have an approach that involves actively engaging the audience? | .25 | ||
| Student/Learner Perspective | Are student/learner perspectives included in the presentation? | .10 | ||
| Innovation | Does the proposal highlight best practices, new policy developments, innovative instructional techniques, or effective methods for engaged learning? | .15 | ||
| Originality | Does the proposal outline new or unique ideas not presented before or previously featured in NICE programs? | .15 | ||
The Call for Speakers opens Thursday, October 16th and will close on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Submissions received after the relevant closing date will not be reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the conference be?
The 2026 NICE Conference & Expo: From Foundation to the Future: Transforming the Cybersecurity Workforce, will take place June 1-3, 2026, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Speakers are selected are required expected to present their sessions in person, as this is an in-person event.
When will I find out if I have been accepted?
Speakers for all sessions will be notified by the end of March.
Is travel and registration covered for presenters?
No. If selcted, presenters are responsible for their own travel, accomodations, and conference registration fees.
How many speaking slots are available?
We anticipate no more than 28 sessions.
How are sessions selected?
A volunteer Planning Committee, comprised of security professionals, technology experts, researchers, government employees, and educators, review all submissions and make selections based on quality of submissions and balance of topics desired to be covered.
Special consideration will be given to proposals that attempt to align with the goals and objectives of the NICE Strategic Plan and, where appropriate, consider uses of the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework).
How do I increase my odds of getting selected?
The NICE Conference seeks submissions that bring fresh, insightful perspectives and demonstrations expertise in the field. To improve your chances, provide a well-organized, detailed, and original proposal that clearly outlines your key points. Presentations should offer new and valulable information, so please avoid submitting content that has already been shared at other confernces or meetings.
What are the main reasons my proposal did not get selected?
1. Incomplete or non-detailed submission. The session outline and intended learning outcomes portions of the submission are the most important pieces of the entire submission.
2. Vendor pitch. Sales pitches are easy to spot, and our Planning Committee quickly eliminates them from consideration.
3. Multiple submissions. The Planning Committee seeks to build a diverse program. With limited sessions available, no more than 1 or 2 presentations will likely be selected from the same organization.
4. Déjà vu. Presentations that have been on programs for other conferences that precede the NICE Conference are not likely to be considered.
5. Final tip. The NICE Conference aims to provide timely, topical, and thought-provoking presentations for attendees. We are looking for “new voices”, “new ideas” and “innovative” topics that have not been discussed before.
Who can I contact if I have problems submitting my proposal or have not received notification of my acceptance status?
The friendly NICE Conference staff are happy to assist you by email at info@niceconference.org