2026 College Autism Summit

To register as a sponsor:  https://can.novistaging.com/events/2026-summit/register

To sponsor without attending:  https://can.novistaging.com/client-login?ReturnUrl=%2fproducts%2fcollege-autism-summit-sponsorships

Diamond Level (Presenting Partner)

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

We hope to offer the following continuing education credit, but cannot know for sure until program sessions have been determined. Please check back later in the summer to confirm CEU availability:

NCC, CRCC, SHRM, NASW, ASHA

Call for Award Nominations

In order to recognize the outstanding work being done by our colleagues, the College Autism Network seeks nominations for our annual College Autism Network Excellence in Autism Practice and Research Awards. Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, though self-nominations will also be accepted. Recipients will be recognized at the 2026 College Autism Summit in Baltimore, November 8-11.

Deadline for nominations:  June 15

Recipients will be notified by August 15

To submit a nomination for one or more of CAN's awards, use this form. 

Outstanding Autism Support Program

This award is given to a campus-based support program or initiative that has demonstrated excellence in implementation of evidence-guided practices. These may include some or all of the following:

• Individual practices, clusters or combination of activities

• Programs or initiatives that focus on autistic students directly, neurotypical students/peers or faculty/staff in relation to autistic students, or relevant to/about other key stakeholders

• Program may be longstanding or newly-created

• Program may be implemented by campus-based units, departments, or other programs, or may be initiated by independent entities that focus on college students and the higher education setting

Outstanding Neurodiversity Workplace Initiative

This award is given to an employer who has established a workplace initiative that recruits and supports autistic and other neurodivergent employees and encourages professional growth and advancement. These may include some or all of the following:

• Support of, and connection to, campus resources and initiatives

• Effective recruiting of neurodivergent applicants

• Outreach and education to all employees about neurodiversity

• Initiatives, policies and processes that demonstrate ongoing support of, and attention to, neurodivergent employees in their professional growth and advancement

Outstanding Research on Autism in Higher Education

This award is given to an individual (or research team) who has, in the previous year (2022-23), produced original scholarship advancing research, policy, and/or practice in ways that facilitate college success for autistic students. Such scholarship may include any/all of the following:

• Journal articles

• Project reports

• Books

• Research briefs

CAN Contributor of the Year

This award is given to an individual whose contributions to the College Autism Network, its members, and its mission, have been outstanding during the previous year. Contributions may include:

• Presentations at College Autism Summit or other event

• Consultations with other campuses 

• Contributions to CAN’s mission to support autistic college students and the professionals who work with them

• Engagement and/or service in CAN programming, including CANVAS, Program Director Calls, Summit planning

Timeline:

April 15: Call for nominations

June 15: Deadline

Aug 1:  Winners selected

Aug 15:  Winners notified

Nov 8-11:  College Autism Summit, Baltimore, MD 

Information about preconference sessions including Building Blocks, Student Experience, and Program Leaders Collaborative will be available in July.

Information about the Employer Series will be available in July. 

Information about keynote speakers and plenary sessions will be available in July.

The Summit Student Experience is an opportunity for autistic and neurodivergent undergraduate and graduate students to attend the Summit, share about their work, and explore the conference theme of “All That A Harbor Can Be.” To ensure authenticity in our work it is essential to center the lived voices of autistic future professionals. The Student Experience also provides opportunities to learn about professional conferences, build skills, and connect with peers from across the country. The Student Experience includes a student pre-conference, networking opportunities, and other student activities. Stay tuned for more details about this year’s program.

Interested students can submit proposals for concurrent sessions or posters at the Summit. We encourage submissions from collaborative teams including students, researchers, program staff, and other stakeholders.

The College Autism Network is awarding several student travel scholarships up to $750 plus waived registration fee for high-achieving/presenting undergraduates and graduate students planning to contribute to research or practice within the college autism support field.  The initial review of scholarship applications begins on July 15, 2026 and will continue until all scholarships are awarded. If you have any questions you may email John at JCaldora@gmail.com or Cherie at cfishbaugh@wcupa.edu.

To apply for a Summit Student Travel Scholarship, please complete this form. Initial review will begin on July 15 and will continue on a rolling basis until all scholarships have been awarded.  

The Summit mobile app will be available for download in the early fall. 

Are you a new professional? A graduate student? Attending your first Summit? Participating in the Mentor/Mentee Match is a great way to connect with a more experienced professional throughout the Summit. It’s someone to sit with at lunch, chat up in the hallway, even meet for coffee. There will be some scheduled activities--always optional--for making connections.

If you’re an experienced professional, please consider signing up to be a Mentor. We’ll pair you with a new professional or graduate student to make a connection during the Summit. We hope you’ll use your wisdom and experience to help welcome someone into the CAN and Summit communities.

Sign up to be a mentor or a mentee during the registration process. We’ll be in touch when pairs are determined.

The Summit will take place at the Renaissance HarborPlace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St, Baltimore. Rooms are available at a conference rate (See Hotel Reservation link). Other hotel rooms within walking distance of the Renaissance are available, though not at a discounted rate, and you'll need to make that reservation independently. The hotel is about a 25-minute ride from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), and about a ten minute drive from Baltimore's Penn Station if you travel by train. Driving? It's a fairly easy route from I-95 to the hotel. Parking is available at the hotel for a fee (check back closer to the Summit for pricing).   

Check back here throughout the Summer and Fall for more local information.