On 6 June 2026, The Netherlands Festival of Education will host over 50 sessions delivered by educationalists from across The Netherlands and Europe. Over half of the content delivered at the Festival is selected via our public application process.
Content will be spread across six, 45-minute periods and staged across 10 venues – halls, and classrooms.
The content team will commence reviewing applications in January 2026. Applicants will be informed of the content team’s decision in February 2026. The Festival content team’s decision is final.
We expect to receive a high volume of applications. Rather than submitting multiple sessions, we would advise that each applicant focus on one or two high-quality submissions. If you would like any feedback on session topics and titles that might be of interest, please consult our Speaker Application Guidance.
We are grateful for every application – our speakers are at the very heart of The Netherlands Festival of Education.
Please note, that completing the application does not guarantee you a session, and that we do not routinely provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
We welcome applications from individuals and organisations eager to share their knowledge, insights, and innovative ideas at the Festival of Education 2026. To be considered as a speaker, please ensure that your application is submitted in full through our online application portal.
We receive a high volume of applications each year. Rather than submitting multiple sessions, we would advise that each applicant focus on one or two high-quality submissions. If you would like any feedback on session topics and titles that might be of interest, please consult our Speaker Applications Guidance.
We encourage you to carefully review your application before submission, as only those received by the deadline will be considered for inclusion in our programme.
During December, our team will carefully review all speaker applications. Please note that we receive a large number of submissions each year, and with a limited number of speaking opportunities available, not all applicants will be selected.
While we value the contributions of those who have spoken at the Festival in the past, previous participation does not guarantee preference in the selection process. Each application is evaluated based on its merit, originality, and relevance to the Festival’s themes.
We are grateful for every application – our speakers are at the very heart of the Festival of Education. Please note that due to the large number of applications, however, we do not routinely provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your interest in contributing to the Netherlands Festival of Education 2025.
To ensure a wide breadth of content that reflects the diverse landscape of education, we are seeking applications across a range of categories. These categories help us curate a well-rounded programme that engages and inspires attendees with fresh perspectives and practical insights.
We welcome applications in the following categories:
To ensure a wide breadth of content that reflects the diverse landscape of education, we are seeking applications across a range of categories. These categories help us curate a well-rounded programme that engages and inspires attendees with fresh perspectives and practical insights.
We welcome applications in the following categories:
To help you prepare the strongest possible application, we want to be transparent about how submissions will be reviewed. Our panel will assess each proposal against the following criteria, which reflect the values and aims of the Festival of Education. Please ensure your application clearly addresses each of these areas:
If your proposed session is accepted, we will contact you to confirm and update the information we have for your session. At this stage, you’ll also receive a registration link to book your complimentary tickets to the Festival. All successful speakers will receive free access to the Festival for themselves and a guest.
In January, we will confirm the time and date of your session. By February, your session will be announced on the Festival website, and you will be able to start promoting it to your network.
At the Festival, all speakers will have access to our exclusive speakers’ lounge, where refreshments will be available throughout the day, including lunch.
While we are unable to offer a speaker fee, we do strive to keep the Festival affordable for all. We are pleased to offer a €75 per person travel contribution if required, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter
