Connect session proposals

💡 Have an idea for Connect? We are accepting proposals for sessions!

All members of the GA4GH community are welcome to propose a session that highlights cross-collaboration, emerging priorities, or critical conversations that benefit from in-person engagement. Connect sessions are designed to spark discussion, drive collaboration, and bring forward the most pressing topics for our community.

If you have any early-stage ideas, check out the Connect Brainstorming Spreadsheet!

📅 Proposal Timeline
Opens: 22 October 2026
Closes: 12 January 2027
Secretariat review: 13 to 20 January 2027
Sessions confirmed: 28 January 2027

Submit or view proposals

 

💬 Share your feedback on other session proposals

Everyone in the GA4GH community is invited to review the proposals, leave comments, and upvote sessions on Nolt. Your input helps us understand community needs, priorities, and areas of interest.

:star2: What's new

Each proposal must now include a draft agenda. Planning out how you will use your time, from format to intended outcomes, helps set your session up for success and supports our goal of building a strong programme of engaging, meaningful sessions. Please use this template to draft your agenda and complete the session title, session description, meeting aims, and agenda sections. 

If you don't yet have confirmed presenters, please note this in your draft. Accepted sessions will be asked to submit a final agenda later.

Please note that all session chairs are expected to attend the meeting in person. 

✅  Evaluation criteria

The GA4GH Secretariat will review all proposals with consideration for:

  • Community Interest and Relevance to the GA4GH Mission. Sessions should align with GA4GH strategic goals, standards development, or Roadmap priorities, and be likely to draw interest from across the community.
  • Value of In-Person Participation. Connect is a rare chance to work face to face, so we prioritize interactive sessions, such as hands-on work, breakout discussions, or live collaboration, over presentations that could be delivered virtually.
  • Cross-Collaboration and Engagement. We value sessions that bring together multiple Work Streams and stakeholder groups, and that intentionally include participants from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and other underrepresented communities.
  • Clear Vision and Planned Outcomes. Strong proposals set out clear goals, a well-structured agenda with defined roles and timing, and concrete outputs or next steps.

We appreciate the thought that goes into every proposal. Questions about the review process can be sent to operations@ga4gh.org.