Calls for Member Showcase
Event: 12th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS) Member Showcase
CALS2026 Theme: Beyond the Now
Dates: April 14-16, 2026
Location: Fairmont Château Laurier (Ottawa, ON)
Autism Alliance of Canada will host the 12th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2026) in Ottawa from April 14-16, 2026.
This national event brings together Autistic people, family members and caregivers, community leaders, decision-makers, and researchers from across Canada to discuss topics that advance Canada’s Autism Strategy and shape a more inclusive Canada.
CALS 2026 invites us to explore how innovation, inclusion, and community leadership can move us forward together. This year, the program also includes a one day symposium on artificial intelligence, offering an additional opportunity to present research related to AI innovation and inclusion on Tuesday, April 12, 2026. More information and a separate application form can be found here.
Call for Research Posters
Autism Alliance of Canada welcomes researchers and trainees from across Canada at all career stages to submit a poster for display during the CALS2026 Member Showcase.
Posters should align with one or more of the five priority areas of Canada’s Autism Strategy:
- Screening, Diagnosis, and Services
- Economic Inclusion and Workplace Accessibility
- Data Collection, Public Health Surveillance, and Research
- Public Awareness, Understanding, and Acceptance
- Tools, Resources, and Technologies for Autistic Individuals, Families, and Caregivers
In addition to posters aligned with the above priority areas, we welcome submissions related to artificial intelligence, including:
- AI-Driven Innovation for Inclusion: Your research focuses on new AI technologies, tools, or applications that directly improve access, participation, or opportunities for Autistic people.
- Inclusive AI Design for Autistic people, their family members, and/or caregivers: Your research centers on how AI systems are designed, emphasizing participatory design, accessibility, ethical considerations, and/or meaningful engagement with Autistic users.
- AI Research Advancing Autism Inclusion: Your research generates new knowledge, evidence, or frameworks showing how AI can support or enhance inclusion for the autism community.
Please note: Posters do not need to relate to AI to be eligible for CALS2026.
Submission Requirements & Deadlines
Applicants should complete and submit this form
Submissions will be evaluated on relevance, clarity, and potential to improve the lives of Autistic people and their families.
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of February 13, 2026
Financial Accessibility Bursary
The CALS 2026 Financial Accessibility Bursary Program is designed to help reduce financial barriers and support the meaningful participation of an autistic person and/or a caregiver or support person. To learn more, click HERE.
Bursary application deadline: Wednesday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T).
Notification of decision: the week of January 26, 2026
Poster Display Format
Researchers will display their posters in-person at the Fairmont Château Laurier during the CALS2026 Member Showcase: Networking Session with Research Posters and Visual Displays.
Dates: April 14, 15, and 16
Please note that selected presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as their registration fees to attend the Summit.
More Information
Why Present Your Work?
Presenting your research at CALS2026 provides a unique opportunity to share your work with Autistic people, their families or support persons, community leaders, policymakers, and other researchers dedicated to improving autism supports across Canada.
At CALS 2026, you can:
- Showcase Your Impact – Share your work with a diverse audience eager to learn about the latest, emerging, and promising research.
- Expand Your Network – Build connections with leaders in healthcare, education, advocacy, government, and more. Discuss research findings, forge partnerships, and strengthen the link between research and real-world solutions.
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Apply here!
CALS2026 Member Showcase: Call for Research Posters
Call for Autistic and Caregiver Community Viewpoints: Artistic Expression and Personal Narrative Displays
Autism Alliance of Canada welcomes members with lived experience to share their experience during the CALS2026 Member Showcase.
Autistic people, support persons, and family members of Autistic people are invited to share their experiences related to*:
- Accessing autism screening, diagnosis, services before diagnosis, and services after diagnosis
- Using government or community programs to support their participation in activities outside of their home
- Challenges or barriers to receiving the supports and services they need to live life to the fullest. (Ideas about how these challenges or barriers can be removed or reduced are welcome, but not required)
- Using new technologies, for example AI, to support their everyday life.
- This could mean using technology to find, navigate, and understand current systems and available supports.
*If a potential presenter has an idea that is not fully captured by this list, we still encourage them to apply.
Printed visual displays may include:
- Artwork
- Posters
- Poetry
- Short stories
- Any other creative work(s)
Visual Display Format
Selected presenters will be assigned to a table where they can share their visual display. As CALS attendees walk throughout the Member Showcase, presenters will have the opportunity to discuss their work and share their experience.
Dates: April 14, 15, and 16
Presenters will need to attend the CALS2026 Member Showcase in-person at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario. It is encouraged that presenters attend the Member Showcase on all three evenings. If this requirement creates a barrier to your participation, please let us know in section five of your application.
Please note that selected presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as their registration fees to attend the Summit.
Financial Accessibility Bursary
The CALS 2026 Financial Accessibility Bursary Program is designed to help reduce financial barriers and support the meaningful participation of an Autistic person and/or a caregiver or support person. Learn more here.
Bursary application deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T).
Notification of decision: the week of January 26, 2026
Submission Requirements & Deadlines
Applicants should complete and submit this form.
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of February 13, 2026
Submissions will be evaluated on relevance, clarity, and potential to improve the lives of Autistic people and their families.
Please note that we will not consider submissions that:
- Advertise specific treatments, interventions, or research
- Advertise a business or product
If you require additional support to complete the application, please don’t hesitate to contact us at summit@autismalliance.ca
More Information
Why Share Your Experience at CALS2026?
Sharing your experience during the Member Showcase provides a unique opportunity to connect with Autistic people, their families or support persons, community leaders, policymakers, and researchers who are dedicated to improving autism-related supports and services across Canada.
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Apply here!
CALS2026 Member Showcase: Call for Autistic and Caregiver Community Viewpoints: Artistic Expression and Personal Narrative Displays
Call for Organizational Displays
Autism Alliance of Canada welcomes member organizations to share their work during the CALS2026 Member Showcase.
Member organizations can showcase their work with a poster, booth, or other display. Share the incredible work you have been doing to support, include, and empower Autistic people, their family members, and/or caregivers.
Displays should align with one or more of the five priority areas of Canada’s Autism Strategy:
- Screening, Diagnosis, and Services
- Economic Inclusion and Workplace Accessibility
- Data Collection, Public Health Surveillance, and Research
- Public Awareness, Understanding, and Acceptance
- Tools, Resources, and Technologies for Autistic Individuals, Families, and Caregivers
In addition to posters aligned with priority areas in Canada’s National Autism Strategy, we welcome submissions related to artificial intelligence, including:
- AI-Driven Innovation for Inclusion: Your organization’s work focuses on new AI technologies, tools, or applications that directly improve access, participation, or opportunities for Autistic people.
- Inclusive AI Design for Autistic people, their family members, and/or caregivers: Your organization’s work centers on how AI systems are designed, emphasizing participatory design, accessibility, ethical considerations, and/or meaningful engagement with Autistic users.
- AI Research Advancing Autism Inclusion: Your organization’s work generates new knowledge, evidence, or frameworks showing how AI can support or enhance inclusion for the autism community.
Please note: Displays do not need to relate to AI to be eligible for CALS2026.
Submission Requirements & Deadlines
Applicants should complete and submit this form.
Submissions will be evaluated on relevance, clarity, and potential to improve the lives of Autistic people and their families.
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of February 13, 2026
Financial Accessibility Bursary
The CALS 2026 Financial Accessibility Bursary Program is designed to help reduce financial barriers and support the meaningful participation of an autistic person and/or a caregiver or support person. Learn more here.
Bursary application deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of January 26, 2026
Display Format
Organizational members will share their organizational displays in-person at the Fairmont Château Laurier during the CALS2026 Member Showcase.
Dates: April 14, 15, and 16
Please note that selected presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as their registration fees to attend CALS.
More Information
Why Share Your Work?
Presenting an organizational display at CALS2026 provides a unique opportunity to share your work with Autistic people, their families or support persons, community leaders, policymakers, researchers, and other organizations dedicated to improving autism supports across Canada.
At CALS 2026, you can:
- Showcase Your Impact – Share your work with a diverse audience eager to learn about all your organization has to offer.
- Expand Your Network – Build connections, discuss shared goals, and forge partnerships with other leaders in healthcare, social services, education, advocacy, government, and more.
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Apply here!
CALS2026 Member Showcase: Call for Organizational Displays