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Sessions Proposals

Welcome to the AGU26 convener submission guidelines. This guide outlines the process for submitting session proposals and convening and managing abstracts in accepted sessions.

Scientific session proposals are closed.

Important Reminders:

  • Primary conveners must be current 2026 AGU members or meet one of the exceptions noted below.
  • Accepted sessions will open for abstract submissions in mid-June 2026.

Questions? Please contact us.

Steps to Submitting a Session Proposal (March–April)

  • Proposals must describe the session’s scientific or topical relevance, focusing on scientific results, applications, or the societal impact of Earth and space science.
  • The program committee may request merging similar proposals or revising descriptions both in May and in August after abstract submissions.
  • The program committee does not assign final session allocations (oral, poster, GeoBurst/eLightning session) until after the abstract submission deadline.
  • Not all sessions will be allocated an oral session and oral sessions cannot be specifically requested. Invited authors are not guaranteed an oral presentation.
  • Multiple proposals from one convener are allowed but must cover distinct topics and span across sections.
  • Conveners may propose poster-only sessions.
  • Multiple conveners: Each proposal must have between two and four conveners, including the primary convener. One additional student/early career convener can also be included as a fifth convener.

Detailed submission requirements can be found here as of 27 April 2026.


  • Celebratory or honorary sessions, including tributes, will not be considered. Names may be included in the session description if focused on their scientific contributions.
  • Sessions primarily advertising commercial products, services, or experiments will be declined. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities will be available separately.

Membership Requirements

Primary conveners must be current 2026 AGU members.

Membership waivers may be requested for conveners from affiliated organizations or non-geoscientists and must be submitted by Wednesday, 8 April.

*Please note, co-conveners DO NOT need to be current AGU members. 

Fees

There is no fee to submit a session proposal. Session chairs who will moderate the session onsite must register and attend in person in San Francisco, CA. Chairs do not need to be existing conveners.

  • All first authors of abstracts, including invited authors, must pay AGU membership and abstract submission fees. The presenting author must also pay meeting registration fees.

AGU is committed to advancing science by delivering impactful and well-rounded conferences and meetings. When submitting a proposal, we recommend that you:

  • Extend invitations beyond your immediate network to engage diverse collaborators and elevate new voices.
  • Utilize resources such as these tips for leading effective inclusive meetings.
  • Broaden participation across disciplines and strengthen the next generation of scientists. View options to identify sessions across multiple AGU sections to reflect interdisciplinary topics.

Before submitting a session proposal, please:


Steps to Convening Your Session (May-August)

  • May: Conveners must be available to address inquiries from the program committee.
    • Proposals may be rejected, revised, merged if submitted on a topic related to a similar proposal, or transferred to a more suitable AGU section.
  • Mid-June: Conveners are notified if their sessions are accepted and open for abstract submissions. Conveners must advertise sessions and invite contributed abstract submissions.
  • August: The program committee begins session format allocation. The convener abstract scheduling process begins in late August.
  • June to August: Accepted proposals open for abstract submissions in June, with session types (oral, poster, GeoBurst/eLightning session) allocated in August.
  • Conveners ensure abstracts fit their session’s focus. Abstract transfers must be requested to the program committee and finalized by 7 August. Please note, abstract authors may reach out to the conveners for guidance regarding abstract submission to a specific session or topic.
  • Full abstract text and details will be accessible through the User Portal until 7 August.
  • June to July: Conveners may invite up to two authors per accepted session (eight for accepted Union sessions). Invited authors are not guaranteed an oral presentation and may receive a poster presentation.
    • The main objectives for inviting authors are to:
      • Attract authors who would not otherwise submit an abstract to a session.
      • Assist authors in obtaining travel approval to attend the meeting.
      • Enhance interdisciplinary perspectives.
      • Feature early-career scientists.
  • Conveners or selected session chairs cannot be invited authors or give oral presentations in their own sessions but may present posters or GeoBurst/eLightning presentations.
  • Exceptions:
    • Union session conveners may present in their sessions but should not list themselves as invited authors.
    • For AGU26, student and early career conveners are exempt from this rule and are permitted to be scheduled for oral presentations within their own sessions.
  • Invited authors must be invited by 22 July and submit abstracts and pay associated fees by deadline.
  • August: Program committee will assign final session formats (oral, poster, GeoBurst/Lightning, or a combination) and conveners will be notified of their session format allocations in mid-August.
    • Not all submitted sessions will receive an oral session allocation.
    • Conveners will thoroughly review and accept abstracts within allocated sessions, ensure submitted abstracts align with the sessions theme, arrange session schedules, and designate chairs.
  • September: Program committee meets to finalize session dates and times.

Steps After Announcement of Scientific Program (October – December)

  • Early October: Authors are notified of abstract acceptance, format, and presentation timing. Session chairs are notified of session timing.
  • After program publication in October, withdrawn oral and GeoBurst/eLightning presentations can be replaced by a presenter in the associated poster session, with approved poster presenter’s consent. Please email the Scientific Program Team with the transfer request.
  • Detailed session chair guidelines will be available in October 2026.
Marketing Tools
Tips for Promotion:
  • We encourage session conveners to use promotional materials and AGU26 social media templates (coming soon) provided by AGU to:
    • Promote approved sessions and encourage abstract submissions.
    • Post session details using customized social media templates on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.
  • Please note, AGU does not promote individual sessions or sections.