AIDSWatch 2026 Abstract

The AIDSWatch planning partners – AIDS United, the U.S. PLHIV Caucus, and the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School – are issuing a call for workshops related to HIV policy. For more than 30 years, AIDSWatch has been more than a conference—it’s a force for change. From the halls of Congress to community centers, AIDSWatch has amplified our community’s voices, ignited policy shifts, and transformed lives.

The theme of this year’s AIDSWatch (March 16-18, 2026) is Defending Progress, Demanding Justice. As we encounter increased political attacks that threaten to dismantle decades of progress at the local, state, federal, and global levels, we must reflect on what our movements’ have won and demand what we are still owed. At AIDSWatch 2026, we will discuss evolving threats, lessons learned, and movement building strategies, and then, we will bring our concerns directly to Congress on Capitol Hill.

These workshops will take place in-person on Tuesday, March 17th in Washington, D.C. Each workshop will last approximately one hour (inclusive of time for questions and comments from attendees).

Community members and advocates are invited to submit workshop proposals by Friday, November 7th, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. We will notify applicants about final decisions end of December/early January.

Not Accepting Applications at This Time

Abstract Tracks

Movement Building and Organizational Development

Finding ways to take care of yourself and your organization since the start of the epidemic and beyond is critical, especially as we face unprecedented attacks on our work, our lives, and our communities. Abstracts submitted under this track should focus on adapting advocacy strategies and organizational practices to the rapidly changing financial and policy landscape, and charting a future where we can continue progress towards ending the HIV epidemic and providing care for all people living with and affected by HIV during turbulent times.

In order to effectively provide care for the whole person, we cannot and should not confine our approach with any individual to a single condition or risk factor. People living with or at risk of contracting HIV are very often also impacted by a host of other health issues from viral hepatitis and STIs to SUD, drug overdose, and comorbidities associated with HIV. Taking a Syndemic approach to these overlapping issues that acknowledge the compounding effects of co-occurring conditions is necessary if we are going to truly treat our peers and clients in a holistic and person-centered manner. This track is designed for abstracts that address the syndemic interactions of these related epidemics and conditions along with the effects on community health of face systemic and structural barriers to wellness. 

This track is designed for workshops that focus on how HIV and related issues impact underserved or historically marginalized communities. This track covers a wide range of topics and welcomes proposals such as affinity group networking, immigrant health, HIV & aging, racial justice and health equity, intersectional approaches to advocacy and movement building, social determinants of health, etc.

As the political and social landscape continues to change in the United States and abroad, we must look at policies and funding challenges at the local, state, federal, and global level to end the U.S. HIV epidemic.  For this track, we are seeking abstracts that will help our attendees understand the legislative landscape at the local, state, federal, and global levels; learn strategies to impact and mobilize communities; and curate personal stories that can drive champion building and policy change.

Requirements & Reminders

  • Workshops are limited to four presenters maximum.
  • Submitters can only select 1 track for each submission
  • Meaningful involvement/leadership by people living with HIV will be considered in the selection process.
  • All abstracts must be structured to fit within the provided fields in the form linked below; additional text or supplemental materials will not be considered. 
  • Proposals constituting a promotional or sales pitch for products, services, organizations, or campaigns will not be considered. 
  • The lead presenter/submitting party will receive a confirmation email from aidswatch@aidsunited.org, if your abstract is processed successfully. Be sure to check your spam folder. If you do not receive a confirmation, your abstract submission was not successful.
  • Successful submission of an abstract does not mean you have been accepted to present. All session proposal leads will receive notice of their acceptance or declination by late December 2025. 
  • We are providing a room with AV and a time slot for accepted sessions. 

Registration For Workshop Presenters

If you are submitting an abstract, please wait to register (and pay) until you are informed about the status of your submission. 

  • You are not required to register before submitting an abstract.
  • If your submission is accepted, you will be given one free registration. If you have any questions/concerns, please email aidswatch@aidsunited.org. 
  • The email you use to register must be the same email you use to submit an abstract.

Only abstracts that comply with all of the above guidelines will be considered.

Extended Deadline

Friday, November 7th, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

Please contact aidswatch@aidsunited.org with any questions regarding abstract submissions. 

Not Accepting Applications at This Time