For details on session types, focus areas, FAQs, and submission guidance, visit the ATALM Call for Proposals webpage. Examples from past conferences are available in Past Programs and presenters are encouraged to review the Program Style Guide.

Multiple session proposals will be considered. Submit a separate proposal for each session. Double sessions require two submissions labeled “Session 1 of 2” and “Session 2 of 2.”

You will be asked to provide: 

• Session type and preferred date 
• Focus area and secondary topic 
• Session title and description 
• Learning objectives 
• Room setup and special needs 
• Accessibility considerations 
• Presenter information (as it should appear in the Program) 

PRESENTER RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Conference presenters carry significant responsibilities. All presenters are expected to:

• Register for the conference once their session is accepted. Presenters are eligible for member rates. 
• Prepare and deliver high-quality, well-organized presentations. 
• Design sessions that encourage meaningful audience engagement, appropriate to the format. 
• Attend the conference and contribute to the exchange of ideas and knowledge. 

Presenter support and conference scholarships are available on a limited basis to help offset registration and lodging costs. Priority consideration is given to presenters serving Native communities and/or contributing more than one session. Support must be approved in advance and does not waive registration requirements unless explicitly stated. 

PRESENTER KEY DATES:

• February 10, 2026 – Proposal submission deadline 
• February 10, 2026 – Presenter support application deadline 
• March 13, 2026 – Program notices go out 
• March 23, 2026 – Deadline to accept or decline 
• March 23, 2026 – Scholarship applications due (if applicable) 
• May 15, 2026 – Presenter registration deadline 
• August 7, 2026 – Final edits for program book 
• September 21–24, 2026 – ATALM2026 Conference (Spokane, WA) 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. Submittable platform works best current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
2. Use Manage Collaborators to add co-presenters. More information on adding collaborators may be found here.
3. Save drafts to complete later if needed. More information may be found here.
4. You may request permission to edit a submission after it is submitted. More information may be found here.
5. Confirmation emails are sent automatically—please safelist be sure to safelist emails from conference@atalm.org and notifications@email.submittable.com.

PURPOSE 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has made a three-year commitment to support the Pacific Island Cohort as it builds connections, elevates Pacific Island voices, and strengthens long-term capacity and collaboration among Indigenous cultural institutions across the Pacific and beyond. 

GOALS OF THE PACIFIC ISLAND COHORT 

The Pacific Island Cohort is designed to strengthen long-term relationships, professional capacity, and visibility for Indigenous cultural institutions and practitioners across the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States.   The goals of the Cohort are to: 

1. Build lasting professional networks: Connect Pacific Island cultural practitioners with one another and with peers across the ATALM community to reduce isolation and foster ongoing collaboration. 
2. Increase Pacific Island representation and voice: Support Pacific Island delegates in sharing knowledge, perspectives, and practices through conference sessions, discussions, and future ATALM programming. 
3. Strengthen institutional capacity: Provide access to practical training, peer learning, and resources that support archives, libraries, museums, and cultural centers in Pacific Island communities. 
4. Create pathways for knowledge exchange: Encourage delegates to contribute sessions, panels, or workshops that reflect Pacific Island priorities, approaches, and innovations in Indigenous cultural stewardship. 
5. Support sustained engagement beyond the conference: Establish a cohort that continues to connect before, during, and after ATALM2026 through virtual gatherings, shared projects, and future convenings. 
6. Lay the groundwork for future collaboration and investment: Help ATALM better understand Pacific Island needs and opportunities, inform future programming, and strengthen the case for continued funder support. 

PROJECT DESIGN

To support participation at the 2026 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM2026) in Spokane, Washington from September 21-24, funding is available for up to 25 Pacific Islander Delegates. 

Delegate support includes: 

• Roundtrip airfare (including reasonable layover expenses) 
• Lodging 
• Conference registration 
• Local transportation 
• Per diem 

This opportunity is made possible through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated. To ensure consideration, apply as early as possible and no later than March 2, 2026. 

ELIGIBILITY 

Applicants must work within an Indigenous cultural setting in one of the following U.S. Pacific Territories or Freely Associated States: 

• American Samoa 
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
• Federated States of Micronesia 
• Guam 
• Republic of the Marshall Islands 
• Republic of Palau 

DELEGATE EXPECTATIONS (IMPORTANT)

This delegate program is designed to support both attendance and contribution. Selected delegates are expected to: 

• Engage in pre-conference and post-conference delegate gatherings via Zoom 
• Advise on conference programming that serves the interests of the Cohort and the broader conference audience. Support is provided to assist delegates with proposal development if needed. 
• Participate fully in the ATALM2026 Conference 

KEY DATES

• December 17, 2025 – Application opens 
• December 17 - February 10, 2026 – Submit session proposals to ATALM (optional) 
• December - March 2, 2026 – Applications reviewed on a rolling basis 
• March (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering to discuss programming (Zoom) 
• May (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
• July (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
• August (TBD), 2026 – Preconference Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
• September 21–24, 2026 – ATALM Conference, Spokane, WA 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN 

• Submittable works best in current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. 
• You may save a draft and return later. 
• You may request permission to edit a submitted application using the button at the top of the form. 
• Confirmation emails are sent automatically. Please safelist notifications@email.submittable.com. 

Scholarship funds are made available through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and contributions from other generous donors. 

ATALM2026 SCHOLAR KEY DATES: 

• March 23, 2026 - Deadline to submit application
• April 10, 2026 - ATALM2026 Scholars announced
• April 23, 2026 - Deadline to accept scholarship
• April 23, 2026 - Scholars must register
• September 3, 2026 - Travel must be confirmed
• September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
2. Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information on saving your work may be found here. 
3. If you need to make changes to an application you have already submitted before the deadline, you may withdraw your submission, edit it, and resubmit. More information on editing submitted applications may be found here.
4. If the information you submitted changes after the deadline, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information on requesting changes may be found here.
5. Once you submit your application, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here.

The Community Impact Awards acknowledge and celebrate initiatives that exemplify community engagement, innovation, and overall excellence. Initiatives that are replicable in other communities receive priority consideration. 

USA-based and international organizations may submit multiple projects/services for consideration, but a new form must be submitted for each initiative.

The deadline for applications is Monday, May 4, 2026

1.    Award recipients are expected to:

• Work with ATALM to develop a Case Study on the initiative. Case Studies will be available on ATALM’s website for use by other communities seeking to produce similar projects.
• Present a 10 or 15-minute session at the 2026 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Spokane, Washington on September 21-24, 2026. A template will be provided to help guide the presentation.

2.   Award recipients (one representative per organization) receive:

• Full conference registration, including pre-conference and evening events.
• Single lodging at the conference hotel
• Travel reimbursement for up to $500
• Recognition at the ATALM2026 conference

3.   Important dates to remember:

• May 4, 2026 - Nominations due
• May 14, 2026 - Awardees announced
• September 21-24, 2026 – International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums (Travel days are September 20 and 25.)

4.    Hints on working with Submittable

• The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
• To collaborate with others, click on "Manage Collaborators" and add email addresses for the presenters you wish to invite. More information on adding collaborators may be found here.
• Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information may be found here. 
• If you need to make changes to the application you have already submitted before the deadline, you may withdraw your submission, edit it, and resubmit. More information may be found here.
• If the information you submitted changes after the deadline, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information may be found here.
• Once you submit your form, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here. You are encouraged to forward the confirmation email to your collaborators.

ATALM is committed to ensuring that the ATALM Conference features diverse voices, honors Indigenous knowledge, and remains accessible to presenters from a wide range of communities, institutions, and circumstances. To support this goal, ATALM offers limited Presenter Support to help offset the cost of conference attendance for qualifying presenters.

Read the full ATALM Presenter Support Policy

Presenter Support is prioritized for:

• Native presenters
• Presenters leading multiple sessions
• Presenters whose participation is essential to the program and whose organizations cannot provide financial assistance

What Presenter Support Covers:  Support may include full or partial assistance with conference registration, depending on available resources. Travel support is not typically provided unless otherwise specified.

How Support Requests Are Considered:  Session proposals are evaluated primarily on their quality, relevance, and contribution to a balanced and meaningful program. Because Presenter Support funds are limited, support requests may be taken into account during final program planning, but they will not be the sole determining factor in session selection.

Presenter Responsibility: Those requesting Presenter Support are asked to do so only if needed. Presenters receiving support are expected to attend the full conference, prepare high-quality sessions, and actively contribute to the exchange of knowledge that defines the ATALM experience.

Commitment to Accessibility:  ATALM strives to reduce financial barriers to participation and encourages presenters from all backgrounds, especially Native communities, to submit proposals.

PRESENTER KEY DATES: 

February 10, 2026 - Deadline for submitting session proposals  

February - March 2026 - Session proposals reviewed  

March 13, 2026 - Acceptance/decline notifications distributed  

March 23, 2026 - Deadline for presenters to accept or decline offer to present  

April 14, 2026 - Preliminary Program released to Advanced Priority registrants  

May 15, 2026 - All Presenters must be registered to attend the Conference 

September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM2026 Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: 

• Submittable works best in current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. 
• You may save a draft and return later. 
• You may request permission to edit a submitted application using the button at the top of the form. 
• Confirmation emails are sent automatically. Please safelist   notifications@email.submittable.com. 

Established in 2007, the Guardian Awards honor and recognize individuals who contribute to the vitality and cultural sovereignty of Native Nations.  

2026 Guardian Awardees will be recognized on Wednesday, September 23 during ATALM’s International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Spokane, Washington on September 21 - 24.  

You may nominate as many individuals as you wish. Please use a separate form for each nomination. The deadline to submit nominations is Thursday, June 11. 

More information about the ATALM Guardian Awards Program, including list of past award recipients and nomination categories, is available on the ATALM website. 

ATALM2026 GUARDIAN AWARD PROGRAM KEY DATES:

• June 11, 2026 - Deadline for submitting applications
• July 9, 2026 - Guardian Awards announced
• September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
2. Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information on saving your work may be found here. 
3. If you need to make changes to an application you have already submitted before June 11th, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information on requesting changes may be found here.
4. Once you submit your application, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here.

The Going Home Fund facilitates the return or long-term loan of culturally significant materials to Indigenous cultural entities worldwide. This form is for use by Indigenous communities seeking support. Eligible expenses include insurance, packaging, shipping, and other costs associated with the return. 

You may request funding for the return of multiple items from the same institution. However, if you are seeking the return of items from multiple institutions, a new form must be submitted for each institution.

Please send questions and additional documentation to president@atalm.org.

The Going Home Fund is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and hundreds of individual donors.

The Going Home Fund facilitates the return of culturally significant materials to worldwide descendant communities. This quick donation form is for use by collecting institutions and individuals that are seeking to return items.

The Going Home Fund is supported through generous gifts from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and individual donors.