Workshop Opportunities
Mary Fran Myers Scholarship
Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025
The Mary Fran Myers Scholarship recognizes outstanding individuals who share Myers’ commitment to disaster research and practice and have the potential to make a lasting contribution to reducing disaster vulnerability.
At least one scholarship recipient each year will receive financial support to attend the annual Natural Hazards Workshop and either the Researchers or Practitioners Meeting that follow.
For the 2026 competition, applicants must reside outside North America or the Caribbean. Eligibility is based on current place of residence, not citizenship. Applicants who reside inside North America or the Caribbean will be eligible for the next open scholarship call. Previous in-person attendees of the Natural Hazards Workshop are not eligible. Preference is given to those who can demonstrate financial need.
Hazards practitioners, students, and researchers with a strong commitment to disaster management and mitigation are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the scholarship and past winners, please visit the Mary Fran Myers Scholarship page.
Apply for the Mary Fran Myers Scholarship
Disability and Disasters Award
Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025
The Disability and Disasters Award supports people with disabilities working in disasters, as well as those who care for, study, or advocate on behalf of those with disabilities. Award funds will allow the recipient to attend the annual Natural Hazards Workshop and either the Researchers or Practitioners Meetings that follow.
Applicants must reside in the United States and be affiliated with a U.S. organization or academic institution. Previous in-person attendees of the Natural Hazards Workshop are not eligible. Preference is given to those who can demonstrate financial need.
Hazards practitioners, students, and researchers with a strong commitment to the intersection of disability and disaster management and mitigation are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the scholarship and submit an application, please visit the Disability and Disasters Award page.
Apply for the Disability and Disasters Award
Workhop Call for ideas
Application Deadline: Janaury 7, 2026
The 2026 Natural Hazards Workshop will be held June 14-17, 2026. We are accepting proposals for plenary and concurrent panel sessions, research, policy, and practice sessions, TED-style talks, trainings, roundtables, and more. We welcome creative session ideas that are interactive and engaging, such as those with games or other hands-on activities. We invite submissions related to this year’s theme—Stronger Together: Building Coalitions for Disaster Risk Reduction—as well as other pressing hazards or disaster topics.
Workshop Student Volunteer Program
Submission Deadline: January 9, 2026
Each year, the Natural Hazards Center is honored to have the assistance of a variety of bright and enthusiastic students in helping make sure the Workshop and Researchers Meeting run smoothly. The benefits of volunteering include free registration and meals for the Natural Hazards Workshop and Researchers Meeting and the opportunity to network with peers and respected professionals in the field. Volunteers are responsible for covering the cost of their own transportation and lodging.
To learn more about becoming a student volunteer and submit an application, please visit the call for student volunteers.
Apply to be a Student Volunteer
Practitioners Meeting Call for Abstracts
Application Deadline: Janaury 14, 2026
The 2026 Practitioners Meeting will be held June 18, 2026, immediately following the close of the 51st Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. The meeting will feature a diverse lineup of sessions covering critical topics in hazard mitigation including how to connect recovery to mitigation, funding to implement mitigation projects, the current mitigation landscape, and how to attract and build a workforce of mitigation professionals. Practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders are invited to share ideas for these interactive sessions.
Researchers Meeting Call for Abstracts
Application Deadline: Janaury 14, 2026
The 2026 Researchers Meeting will be held June 17-18, 2026, immediately following the close of the 51st Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. The meeting includes breakout sessions for paper presentations, roundtable discussions, and networking events for participants. Researchers from all disciplines are invited to submit abstracts focused on any topic related to hazards and disasters.
Natural Hazards Center Student Paper Competition
Submission Deadline: January 23, 2026
The annual Student Paper Competition is a way to recognize students focused on hazards and disaster research. Papers are judged on originality, organization, and knowledge of the topic. One undergraduate and one graduate winner each will receive $250, publication on the Natural Hazards Center website, and free registration for the Natural Hazards Workshop and Researchers Meeting.
For more information on the competition, submission guidelines, and to submit a paper, please visit the Student Paper Competition page.
Apply to the Student Paper Competition
Poster Sessions
Poster sessions will be held on the evenings of Sunday, June 14, 2026, and Monday, June 15, 2026 and will showcase recent programs, projects, research, or other initiatives. At least one author must be available to present their poster in person on the evening that they are assigned.
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 6, 2026
For information about poster sessions and submission criteria, please visit our Submission Guidelines page.
Research and Practice Highlights
Research and Practice Highlights are brief descriptions meant to shine a bright light on new projects, programs, initiatives, and local/state/national policies. They are not for presenting at the Workshop, but rather, they will be posted online for attendees to read. This outlet allows all participants the opportunity to share what they are doing and maximize networking potential.
Abstract Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026
For information about research highlights and submission criteria, please visit our Submission Guidelines page.
Submit a Research and Practice Highlight
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Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact the Natural Hazards Center team at hazards.workshop@colorado.edu.