Call for Proposals for 2026 AABC Birth Institute

Apply to Present at the AABC Annual Conference

Submission Deadline: FEB 5 2026

The AABC Program Committee invites proposals to present at the 2026 AABC Birth Institute to be held October 29-November 2, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The conference theme is “Start Your Engines! Driving Innovation in Birth Centers. Sustainability. Leadership. Equity.”

The AABC Birth Institute, the annual convention of the American Association of Birth Centers, is the nation's premier conference for birth centers and brings together about 250 birth advocates from across the nation.

We welcome proposals that address both clinical issues and administrative challenges faced by birth center providers, administrators, and others advancing innovative solutions in maternity care. We encourage proposals that integrate interactive learning. Whenever possible, submissions should incorporate content related to racism and health disparities, social determinants of health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Download Call for Proposals

General Information

• AABC is a multi-disciplinary organization with members including birth centers, alongside midwifery units, administrators, midwives, physicians, nurses, birth assistants, doulas, lactation consultants, consumers, and organizations supporting the birth center model of care.
• AABC membership is not required to submit an abstract.
• AABC has adopted a set of Community Agreements for the community to share space respectfully and with accountability. We ask you to review and indicate acceptance of these community agreements with your submission.
• AABC recognizes the profound relationship between language, beliefs, practices, and well-being. All presenters are required to use inclusive language in accordance with the AABC Inclusive Language Guidelines.
• Presentations should refer to midwives and midwifery in recognition of the different types of midwives practicing in birth centers (CMs, CNMs, CPMs, LMs).
• The individual submitting the abstract is considered the primary contact. All correspondence about the abstract will be emailed to the submitting presenter. The primary submitting presenter is responsible for communicating any details and updates about the abstract and presentation to the other presenters.
• The AABC Birth Institute is an educational conference. Presentations may not be for direct promotion of a product or service.
• Presenters of accepted proposals will be notified in the week of May 4, 2026.

Topics of Interest

Topics that are of interest to the AABC Birth Institute attendees include but are not limited to:

Clinical Excellence

• • Clinical skills and drills
  • Pharmacology
  • Complications in the peripartum period
  • Sentinel events
  • VBACs in birth center practice
  • Trauma-informed care

Operations and Sustainability

• • Sustainability (financial, staffing, ownership)
  • Day-to-day operations
  • Financial management
  • Billing and coding
  • Contracting
  • Risk management and CQI
  • Malpractice insurance
  • Auxiliary services
  • Marketing and visibility
  • Technology in birth center operations

Equity, Access and Advocacy

• • Reproductive justice
  • Racial equity and serving diverse communities
  • Public health and advocacy

Innovation and Integration

• • Innovative care models
  • Non-profit and FQHC models
  • Alongside Midwifery Units
  • Integration and collaboration
  • Research
  • Communications and collaboration

Leadership and Workforce

• • Human resources and staffing
  • Student integration and fellowship programs
  • Stress management and burnout prevention
  • Leadership development

Types of Education Presentations

• • Concurrent session (60 or 90 minutes)
  • Research panel presentation (30 minutes)
  • Poster presentation

Instructional Design Guidelines

• • Be informed by sound learning principles
  • Facilitate knowledge transfer and development of new competencies
  • Stimulate and provoke discussion, audience engagement, and outcome-focused design
  • Use methods that draw out relevant past knowledge and experiences

Presenter Information

• Presenter Limits: Education Session presentations are limited to no more than three presenters.
• Conference Registration: ALL presenters are required to register for at least one day of the conference and will receive a speaker discount.
• Expenses: All expenses related to attendance at the conference – including registration, travel, and lodging - are the presenter's responsibility..
• Inclusivity: All presenters agree to abide by the AABC Community Agreements and use inclusive language.

Questions? Please contact Kate Bauer at 215.234.8068 or katebauer@birthcenters.org

Submit a Proposal

How to Submit a Proposal

• Use the online submission form to submit your abstract by 11:59PM ET on FEB 5, 2026. 
• We recommend preparing your information in advance of submission. 
• Only complete abstracts will be considered by the AABC Program Committee.

Application Overview Information

1. Type of Presentation (check all that apply)
   • Concurrent session (60 or 90 minutes)
   • Research panel presentation (30 minutes)
   • Poster Presentation
2. Primary Focus of Presentation (for Concurrent Sessions)
   • Clinical
   • Administrative
   • Timely Topic (please specify)
3. Title of Presentation (limit 100 characters)
4. Summary Description (limit 150 words)
5. Learning Objectives – Provide at least 3 learning objectives that clearly state what the participant will learn from attending this session. For example, “At the end of the session, the learner will be able to explain…”
6. Content Outline – Provide an outline of your presentation which aligns with the stated learning objectives and includes the estimated time allotted for each section.
7. Teaching Method(s) – Identify the teaching modalities that you will use for an interactive educational session.
8. Does the session include pharmacotherapeutics for APRNs? If yes, describe the content and how much of it is related to advanced pharmacotherapeutics.
9. Bibliography –This is a requirement for continuing education approval.
   • Minimum of six evidence-based references
   • At least four references from peer-reviewed journals
   • Published within the last five years (unless a relevant classic)
   • APA format
10. Presenter Information (for each presenter)
    • Name
    • Credentials
    • Organization
    • Title
    • Email
    • Phone
    • Mailing Address
    • City, State, Zip
    • Bio (limit 100 words) and upload CV/Resume
11. Online Adaptability – Can this presentation be delivered in an online format if needed?
12. Acknowledgment that you have read the Presenter Information.
13. Acknowledgment that you have read and agreed to the AABC Community Agreements.
14. Complete an online Conflict of Interest Disclosure form for each presenter.

Submit a Proposal