About
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.
Applying
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.
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:
- AI & EdTech
- Assessment
- Belonging
- Behaviour/Culture
- Citizenship
- Coaching
- Curriculum
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Early years education
- Higher education
- Intercultural dialogue
- Leadership
- Peace and harmony
- Policy
- Primary education
- Professional Development
- Science of learning
- Secondary education
- Student voice
- Sustainability and environmental
- Vocational education
- Wellbeing
What you'll need
When submitting your speaker application, please ensure you have the following information ready:
Session Title & Description: Provide a title for your session, along with a brief description.
Speaker Information: Include a bio and photo for each speaker involved in the session (up to a maximum of five speakers). If you are applying on behalf of others, ensure you have their permission to use and share their details.
Session Timing Preferences: Let us know if you have any preferences for when your session could take place.
Category: Select the appropriate category for your session.
Editing Your Application: You can edit your application up until the submission deadline.
Accessibility: If you need any support completing this application or need to submit in an alternative format, please contact us at foe@educationscape.com
Important Notes: Partially completed applications will not be considered, so please ensure all required information is provided. Please also note that commercial applications will be rejected. If you wish to promote a product please email: scott.forbes@educationscape.com
Judging questions
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:
Next steps
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.
