SUBMISSIONS: AFRICAN WILD DOGS UNITED 2026
Call for Abstracts
This conference brings together scientists, researchers, conservation managers, communities, students, supporters and enthusiasts to understand the latest science, discuss conservation and management issues, tackle current challenges and raise awareness about African Wild Dogs.
Conference activities can cover anything related to African wild dogs: their conservation, ecology, physiology, behaviour, genetics, public attitudes; literally anything will be considered if it is relevant to wild dogs.
We encourage submissions from people at all career stages, and hope to see a majority of submissions coming from within Africa.
Bursaries will be available to support participation by students and traditional community members in Africa.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS NOW OPEN
There will be three kinds of conference activity, you can submit for as many as you like.
1. Talks
Talks can last 5 mins or 12mins, and once your talk is accepted we will provide you with guidance on pre-recording it so that we guard against sudden internet outages or other challenges of virtual meetings. Although your talk will be pre-recorded, you will be able to take questions in real time. Talks will be timetabled along with others on similar topics to create themed sessions.
2. Special sessions
Special sessions can last 90 minutes, and their content is more flexible than the talks. You may want to hold a panel discussion to share experience about the best new tracking technologies, host a short workshop aimed at sharing data for a meta-analysis, or recruit participants for a collaborative grant proposal.
3. Pitches
Pitches are open only to early career African wild dog professionals and provide an opportunity to compete for a small grant to support your wild dog project. You will have 5 minutes to explain to a panel of judges how you would spend $2,000 to $5,000, with a chance of winning it! Should your pitch abstract be accepted, some guidance will be provided for your presentation.
Criteria for Applications:
Under 35 / African National / Less than 10 years in AWD conservation / A strong project planned
For all of these types of conference activity, the first step is for you to submit an abstract.
IMPORTANT DATES
CONFERENCE DATE
Tuesday, 10 March 2026 – Thursday, 12 March 2026
SUBMISSION PORTAL OPENS
Monday, 15 September 2025
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Monday, 03 November 2025 at 23H59 (GMT+2)
– NO EXTENSIONS –
REVIEW OUTCOME & INVITATIONS DISTRIBUTED
Thursday, 11 December 2025
CONFERENCE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
VENUE
Virtual / Online – Zoom (links to be provided)
Sponsored by AFRICA’S WILD DOG SURVIVAL FUND
"We are an awareness building, non-profit fundraiser working for Africa’s Wild Dogs."
Conference Hosts
