Call for Abstracts
Community Participation
and Research Presentations
Roots of Living Futures:
In recognition and protection of ayahuasca and other Indigenous traditional biocultures
Call for Proposal Submissions
The 2026 World Ayahuasca Forum invites the global community to submit proposals for presentations of work, research, and narratives that address the recognition, appreciation, and protection of ayahuasca and other Indigenous traditional biocultures, as well as the ancestral knowledge that sustains diverse ways of life and pathways to possible and sustainable futures.
We seek contributions that strengthen intercultural dialogue, ecosystem regeneration, respect for Indigenous traditions, and environmental justice.
Narratives, life experiences, memories, traditional knowledge, and oral expressions are welcome, as are academic papers, scientific research, and critical reflections.
Be part of this global movement for transformation!
Submissions are open until January 31st.
Complete Submission Guidelines
Introduction
In an era of unprecedented ecological and social transformation, the 2026 World Ayahuasca Forum invites the global community to contribute proposals that address the role of ayahuasca and other biocultures in building viable futures. These futures are grounded in the protection of territories, interspecies justice, and care for the Earth, materializing through tangible practices that regenerate ecosystems, strengthen communities, and renew our pact with the planet.
This gathering is a response to the call from Indigenous leaders and communities for genuine intercultural collaboration, weaving ancestral knowledge with contemporary understandings. The Forum aims to be a space for listening, convergence, and collective action, where science, spirituality, politics, and art unite for healing and regeneration.
We invite knowledge-keepers, scientists, healers, researchers, artists, activists, public policymakers, and community members to submit their contributions. Narratives, life experiences, ritual knowledge, oral traditions, and creative forms of expression are valued, as are academic contributions.
Our goal is to ensure broad, multilingual, and inclusive participation, integrating Indigenous leadership in the curation process and fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse knowledge systems.
What We Are Looking For
The Forum seeks contributions that address:
- Protection of biocultures and ancestral traditions
- Intercultural dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems
- Ecological justice and protection of territories
- Safety, ethics, health, and best practices in ceremonial and therapeutic contexts
- Arts, rituals, narratives, and creative practices as bridges between worlds
- Legal, policy, and human rights dimensions related to biocultures and Indigenous traditions
- Scientific research (biomedical, anthropological, psychological, ethnobotanical, etc.)
- Biocultural sovereignty, data sovereignty, and intellectual property rights
Proposals can take the form of academic research, community testimonies, narratives, roundtable dialogues, ritual knowledge, or interdisciplinary reflections.
Submission Requirements
Submissions are open to both academic and non-academic participants. An academic degree is not required.
Submissions can be in Portuguese, Spanish, or English
Each submission must include:
- Personal Information
- Proposal Information
- Presentation Format
- Financial Information
- Accessibility and Ethics
All proposals will be evaluated equally, regardless of academic background or institutional affiliation.
Timeline
- Launch of the Call: November
- Deadline for Submissions: January 31
- Selection Period: Late February – Early March
- Notification of Results: mid-March
Curatorial Process & Indigenous Co-Governance
All submissions will be reviewed by a peer-based curatorial team, including Indigenous leaders who serve as co-curators. This ensures that the program reflects their priorities, values, and epistemologies, while also embracing contributions from the global community.
Ethical Representation
Submissions involving community knowledge, ceremonial contexts, or sensitive cultural material must:
- Have community consent
- Ensure confidentiality where appropriate
- Respect cultural contexts and protocols
- Avoid extractivist representations
Accessibility
The Forum invites participants to indicate any accessibility needs related to mobility, sensory processing, neurodiversity, or other accommodations, so that necessary arrangements can be made in advance.
Contact
For more information, please contact the coordination team through our abstracts contact form .
Note: Approved and presented submissions are the sole responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, positions, or policies of the World Ayahuasca Forum, its Indigenous leadership, or its collaborating institutions.
Submission Form for Presenters