ACA Workshop Proposal Information 2027

Have an idea for an ACA workshop? We welcome proposals that provide practical training, introduce new techniques, and help participants develop skills in crystallography and structural science. Leading a workshop is an opportunity to share your expertise and connect with others in the community.

What Is an ACA Workshop?

ACA workshops provide focused instruction in specific methods, tools, software, or scientific concepts through lectures, demonstrations, guided exercises, and discussion. They may introduce foundational concepts to newcomers or offer advanced training for experienced researchers.

Each workshop should have a defined audience, clear learning objectives, and an instructional approach that helps participants apply what they learn to their own research. Workshops must be educational and non-commercial in purpose.

Scientific sessions primarily feature presentations of research findings, methods, and advances. Workshops emphasize structured learning and skill development, with opportunities to explore a topic in depth, practice techniques, or work through examples. Your proposal should explain both what participants will learn and how they will learn it.

Workshop Format and ACA Support

Workshops take place on the day before the ACA Annual Meeting begins and may be offered in a half-day or full-day format.

Workshop Funding Information

To simplify the proposal process, organizers are not required to submit a workshop budget or secure sponsorship funding. The ACA will review workshop expenses and establish registration fees, allowing proposals to be considered for their educational value and the communities they serve.

Individual workshop sponsorships will no longer be accepted. Workshop support is limited to the items outlined above, and additional food and beverage orders are not permitted.

We greatly appreciate the time and expertise our instructors share with the ACA community. Coffee and lunch will be provided for instructors on the workshop day as a small thank-you. Instructor travel reimbursement and complimentary Annual Meeting registration are not available.

Organizer & Instructor Requirements

Primary Organizer

Each workshop must designate one primary organizer to serve as the main contact for ACA Headquarters. This person is responsible for:

• Submitting the proposal and all required documentation.

• Coordinating workshop planning and the agenda.

• Communicating information between ACA Headquarters and the instructors.

• Ensuring that instructors understand the registration requirements and support available.

Proposals must identify confirmed instructors. Any remaining instructor arrangements must be finalized before January 1, 2027.

Meeting Registration

You do not need to be an ACA member to submit a workshop proposal. However, all workshop organizers and instructors must register for the full ACA Annual Meeting and pay the applicable meeting registration fee.

The registration fee for the workshop they organize or teach will be waived. This waiver applies only to that workshop; it does not cover other workshops or any portion of the Annual Meeting registration fee.

An instructor may teach in only one workshop. Organizers should communicate these requirements to prospective instructors before confirming their participation.

What You’ll Need to Submit

Please complete the online submission form and upload a completed workshop agenda. Be prepared to provide:

• Workshop title: A clear, descriptive title.

• Relevant topic areas: The scientific subjects, methods, or techniques the workshop will address.

• Workshop description: An overview of the topic, its relevance to the ACA community, and the proposed approach to instruction.

• Intended audience: Who would benefit from attending and the expected level of experience.

• Learning objectives: The knowledge or skills participants should gain.

• Workshop duration: Half-day or full-day format, including proposed start and end times.

• Maximum number of participants: The largest group the workshop can effectively accommodate.

• Primary organizer: The designated organizer’s name and contact email.

• Confirmed instructors: Each instructor’s name, affiliation, and contact information.

• Participant preparation: Any prerequisites or advance preparation, such as installing software, bringing a laptop, or completing preliminary reading.

• Additional needs: Any equipment, materials, internet access, or support required beyond what the ACA provides.

• Completed workshop agenda: An attachment outlining the schedule and instructional activities.

Preparing Your Workshop Agenda

Use the fillable workshop agenda form to outline the full schedule. For each activity, include:

• Start and end times. 

•  Use 24-hour (military) time throughout.  

• Half-day agendas must include at least one coffee break. Full-day agendas must include two coffee breaks and a lunch break. Include these breaks in your proposed schedule.

• A brief description of the topic or activity.

• The responsible instructor’s name and email address.

Important Information for Workshop Instructors

Each instructor may teach in only one workshop and must register for that workshop; the workshop registration fee will be waived. As a thank-you for sharing their time and expertise, instructors will receive complimentary food and refreshments during the workshop.

All instructors must confirm in writing to ACA Headquarters by December 1, 2026, that they will attend ACA 2027 in person. Instructors must also register for the full Annual Meeting and pay the applicable meeting registration fee.

Workshop proposals for ACA 2027 are due November 9, 2026.

The ACA Education Committee will review submissions, and decisions will be announced in late December 2026.