Hi all! The Second Call for NIME 2026 should be making its way to your inbox shortly if you are subscribed to the mailing list, and here it is too! Big updates are reviewer signup and full calls for alt.nime and the Student Consortium.
If you have any questions about submissions or if we can help, please do feel free to post here or get in touch: [Contact]
Second Call for Contributions to NIME 2026
In addition to the previous call for Papers, Music, Installations, and Workshops, we are pleased to announce that the NIME 2026 submission portal in the Microsoft Conference Management Tool (CMT) is open for submissions. The full calls for contribution to the alt.nime and Student Consortium tracks are also available below and on the NIME 2026 website, https://nime2026.org
We are also seeking reviewers for the Paper, Music, Workshop, and alt.nime tracks. Reviewing for NIME is a big collaborative task with around 200 people involved. We greatly appreciate any and all reviews you might be able to contribute. You can sign up to review using this link: Microsoft Forms
If you have any questions, or you would like to volunteer as a reviewer, please contact the chairs at info@nime2026.org. We hope to see you in London (or online) next year!
Best wishes,
Courtney Reed & Andrew McPherson
NIME 2026 General Chairs
We invite you to be a part of NIME 2026, the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, which will take place 23-26 June 2026 in London, UK. This year’s conference is jointly organised by the Augmented Instruments Laboratory at Imperial College London and Loughborough University London (LUL). NIME 2026 is a hybrid conference, and all authors will have the option to attend in person or online.
We invite submissions of new scholarly and creative works in the following categories:
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Paper (6000-, 4000-, and 2000-word lengths)
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Music (live performance, remote pre-recorded performance, installation)
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Workshop
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alt.nime
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Student Consortium
Please see below and https://nime2026.org for details on each category of participation.
The theme of NIME 2026 is Communities, acknowledging the incredible diversity of music-making amongst communities large and small, around the world and in our own hometowns. Throughout its history, NIME has fostered its own internal artistic communities and traditions, while also exchanging ideas and forging alliances with other sites of musical practice
The theme of NIME 2026 focuses outward: what can NIME contribute to and learn from other musical and technical communities? How can we work more closely with musicians, artists and designers who might never have heard of NIME, and what can we learn from rich traditions of design and experimentation outside of scholarly research? How can NIME research and practice be more responsive to the values, aesthetics and priorities of specific, geographically or culturally-situated communities? How could we share our artistic and technical work more widely? We welcome submissions to all NIME tracks which address these questions. We encourage submissions which feature the active participation of individuals or communities regardless of geography, institutional affiliation or relationship to scholarly research.
Important Dates
All dates are 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth).
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4 December 2025: Submission CMT Site opens
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5 February 2026: Papers and Music - Titles, abstracts and author lists due
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12 February 2026: Papers and Music - Final submissions due
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5 March 2026: Workshop, alt.nime and Student Consortium submissions due
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9 April 2026: Acceptance decisions and reviews released
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30 April 2026: Camera ready and presenter registration deadline
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23 June 2026: NIME Workshops and Student Consortium
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24-26 June 2026: NIME Conference
Call for Papers
We welcome submissions of original research on scientific and artistic use of new interfaces for musical expression. A non-exhaustive list of NIME-related topics is found below. There are three different paper submission classes by word lengths (exclusive of references):
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6000 words (now “long”, formerly “long”)
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4000 words (now “medium”, formerly “short”)
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2000 words (now “short”, formerly “demo”)
Authors are encouraged to submit a paper with an appropriate length for the intended contribution. All length classes will undergo the same review process, with guidelines for reviewer expectations. We encourage authors to make use of the shorter classes. All length classes are eligible for oral or poster presentation if accepted. Papers are expected to have a contribution commensurate with their length. For the short paper category, we welcome submissions that propose an original and innovative technology, technical approaches, or prototype (with or without an accompanying evaluation) that provokes novel conversations and contribute meaningfully to the NIME field.
Original contributions are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following topics:
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NIME 2026 theme: Communities. Topic 1: interviews with, reports on, or collaborations with artists/makers outside the NIME academic community
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NIME 2026 theme: Communities. Topic 2: ethnographic or sociological study of new interface use outside the lab
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Novel controllers, interfaces or instruments for musical expression
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Augmented, embedded and hyper instruments
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Technologies or systems for collaborative music-making
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New performance paradigms for mobile music-making
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Music-related human-computer interaction
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Sensor and actuator technologies, including haptics and force feedback devices
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Musical mapping strategies
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Explorations of relationships between motion, gesture, and music
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Evaluation and user studies of new interfaces for musical expression
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Accessible interfaces for musical expression
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Musical applications of robotics
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Interactive sound art and installations
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Performance rendering and generative algorithms
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Machine learning in musical performance
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Web-based music performance
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Software frameworks, interface protocols, and data formats, for supporting musical interaction
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Historical, theoretical, critical, or philosophical discussions about designing or performing with new interfaces
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Discussions about the artistic, cultural, and social impact of NIME technology
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Sonic interaction design
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Pedagogical perspectives or reports on student projects in the framework of NIME-related courses
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Practice-based research approaches/methodologies/criticism
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Co-design or participatory design of new instruments and interfaces
Important notes for Papers:
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Accepted papers will be published online on the conference website and eventually on NIME.org as part of the Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression.
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All paper category submissions must be completely anonymised, including, but not limited to authors, references, and specific project names that can clearly identify the author(s).
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A manuscript submitted for review cannot be already under review for publication elsewhere or be submitted for a second review elsewhere while under review for NIME.
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At least one author of accepted submissions must purchase conference registration by the publication-ready deadline to be included in the conference.
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Accepted submissions presented remotely in oral paper sessions will preferably be a live synchronous presentation.
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Accepted submissions presented remotely for poster sessions will be by asynchronous pre-recorded video presentation.
Submission information is available here: https://nime2026.org/submissions/
Paper Review Process:
All paper submissions will be subjected to a rigorous double-blind peer review process by an international committee of experts. All submissions are evaluated in terms of originality, significance, research quality, and clarity. The process is as follows:
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Each paper submission will be assigned to at least 3 reviewers for evaluation;
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A meta-reviewer will moderate a discussion amongst reviewers, write a summary review, & recommend whether to accept the paper, and
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The committee chairs will make the final decision on paper acceptance and will inform the author(s) of their decision along with the reviewers’ comments.
The review process is double-blind, meaning reviewers remain anonymous to the authors and vice-versa. It is expected that authors respect the NIME Ethical guidelines (NIME Principles & Code of Practice on Ethical Research) for NIME publications.
Call for Music
We invite submission of proposals that showcase new interfaces for musical expression in composition and performance. We look forward to receiving submissions that expand and reshape our understanding of NIME in the performance, conceptualisation, and reception of music.
Typical NIME performance pieces last for 5-15 minutes, but shorter and longer performance proposals may also be taken into consideration. There are three categories for music submissions at NIME 2026:
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Live (In Person) Performance
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Remote (Pre-recorded) Performance
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Installation
In line with the NIME 2026 theme of Communities, we encourage proposals that explore the notion of performing together. We encourage submissions from ensembles, collaborations of acoustic instruments and NIMEs, and new compositions or performances with existing NIMEs. We particularly welcome submissions from ensembles, compositions that integrate NIMEs with acoustic instruments, and collaborative projects between NIME practitioners and wider musical communities.
Live performances may involve an online connection to an artist not present at NIME, or some other method of performing remotely, as long as they also involve at least one performer in person. Remote performances where no authors are attending in person will be pre-recorded for presentation. In-person submissions that involve live-streaming will need to clearly document the technical requirements to perform the work at NIME, subject to approval by the chairs.
Installations could include physical works to be exhibited in foyer, room, or gallery space as well as virtual works that exist online.
Please contact the Music or General Chairs with any questions regarding the suitability of a potential NIME music submission.
Submission information is available here: Preparing your submission
Important Notes for Music Submissions:
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All music submissions must include a PDF submission document using the NIME music template.
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Music submissions should have the following sections, as indicated in the NIME music template: Program Notes, Project Description, Technical Notes, Media Links, Acknowledgements (optional), Ethical Standards, References.
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Submissions without an appropriate PDF document including the above sections may not be reviewed.
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Submissions should include images and diagrams as necessary to help reviewers understand the work and how it might be staged.
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Music submissions must include video that documents or otherwise communicates the proposed work. Video documentation should be provided as a link or uploaded as Supplementary Material.
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Submissions will be published on the conference website and on NIME.org as part of the Music Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression.
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We ask for soft anonymisation of music submissions: author names should not appear in the PDF submission, video documentation or account names that are linked from submissions. You don’t have to blur or obscure faces in videos or images.
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The NIME organisers cannot provide funding to support performers’ travel or accommodation at the conference.
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If a music submission is accepted, proposing artists are expected to be available to perform their work on any day of the conference, unless otherwise agreed with the chairs.
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At least one author of accepted music submissions must purchase conference registration by the publication-ready deadline to be included in the conference. Additional performers only need to purchase registration if they intend to attend the conference beyond their own performance.
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Creators are encouraged to propose Remote/Pre-recorded Performances if they feel they will be unable to travel to attend NIME 2026. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate last minute changes from live to remote performances.
Music Review Process:
All music submissions will be subject to rigorous double-blind peer review by an international committee of experts. All submissions are evaluated in terms of originality, significance, technical quality, and feasibility. The process is as follows:
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Each music submission will be assigned to at least 3 reviewers for evaluation;
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The committee chairs will make the final decision on music acceptance and will inform the creator(s) of their decision along with the reviewers’ comments.
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Production details for accepted works will be arranged through the music chairs following acceptance notifications.
Call for Workshops
We welcome proposals for workshops related to NIME research, topics relevant for the NIME community, NIME performance and this year’s theme. NIME workshops can take the form of community development or co-design events, focused tutorials on specific NIME topics, sub-conferences on specific topics including presentations by NIME attendees, or other types of events that you propose. Workshops can be proposed to be short (up to three hours) or long (up to six hours).
Workshop proposals should use the paper submission template, should not be anonymised, and should have the following sections:
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Motivation: Describe the rationale for the workshop, issues that will be addressed, and clear objectives with reference to NIME topics, themes, and previous publications.
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Workshop Structure: Describe the planned activities or events taking place in the workshop.
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Organisers: Include Workshop organiser(s) with short bio(s) up to 200 words including background relating to proposed topic, and affiliation and contact information. Include additional speakers name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information.
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Description of technical and space requirements: Including equipment required or brought by organisers; information on whether in-person or hybrid attendance is supported; expected size of event; and specific venue features.
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Acknowledgements (optional).
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Ethics statement
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Media links (optional): Links to supporting audio, visual, and/or online documentation, e.g. a workshop web page.
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References
Submission information is available here: Preparing your submission
Important Notes for Workshop Submissions:
- At least one author of accepted workshops must purchase conference registration by the publication-ready deadline to be included in the conference.
Workshop Review Process:
All workshop submissions will be subjected to a single-blind peer review process by an international committee of experts. Proposals will be evaluated in terms of relevance, potential significance to attendees, and feasibility. Proposers should also familiarise themselves with the NIME statements on diversity and environmental issues. The review process is as follows:
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Each proposal will be assigned to at least 3 reviewers for independent evaluation.
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The workshop chairs will make the final decision on workshop acceptance and will inform the author(s) of their decision along with the reviewers’ comments.
Call for alt.nime
NIME 2026 mourns the discontinuation of alt.chi (alt.chi – CHI 2025). alt.chi was “a forum for controversial, risk-taking, and boundary-pushing research” at the CHI conference. NIME 2026 is inspired to continue the tradition of promoting alternative forms of submission, for consideration at this year’s conference.
alt.nime is a place for something different: it might be controversial, it might choose an alternative format for submission, but in some way will push boundaries of what it means to be NIME. Keeping with this open provocation, unusual submission formats (e.g., scripts, pictorials, essays, scores, poems, audio or video) are welcome and encouraged!
alt.nime submissions might:
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fight with core musical assumptions, explode technological paradoxes, deconstruct research myths and narratives
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apply unorthodox methods that expand NIME boundaries and quandaries
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engage with controversial socio-techno-musical issues through politically activist or otherwise interventionist perspectives and practices such as whistleblowing, boycotting, hacking, jamming and détournement.
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consider different ways to disseminate NIME research throughout the conference such as sharing objects, zines, pop-ups interventions or situated participatory formats
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question what a NIME research contribution is
alt.nime 2026 should be seen as a chance to open and provoke conversations, expanding NIME’s typical palette of what is considered academic practice, going beyond the traditional formats and presentations.
If you’re planning something atypical or are unsure about your submission, please check with us first at alt-nime@nime2026.org.
alt.nime submissions should use the separate alt.nime template, should not be anonymised, and should include the following sections:
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Title, Abstract, Author Information, Ethical Standards and References.
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Text-based contributions should be no more than 6,000 words.
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If submitting in a non-traditional format, authors should include a description of the work (maximum 400 words) and specify any presentation requirements within the Description section.
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Visual pictorials may be up to eight A4 pages.
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Audio-visual submissions should aim for a maximum duration of around 15 minutes.
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Audio & video documentation should be provided as a link or uploaded as Supplementary Material.
Submission information is available here: https://nime2026.org/submissions/
alt.nime Review Process:
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Submissions will be open reviewed by a jury (to be announced on the NIME 2026 website before submission), where each submission will be presented in a public forum and discussed amongst the wider jury group.
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Review will be done based on the presentation feasibility and compatibility with the conference.
Call for Student Consortium
We welcome applications from students who would like feedback from the NIME community on their conceptual, theoretical, technical and/or musical research components. Peers and senior scientists, interaction designers and computer musicians will be mixed for an open discussion about NIME related submissions.
The NIME Student Consortium will take place as a half-day session on 23 June 2026.
Ideal candidates will be early-stage or mid-way into their project or program, presenting some concrete research content within the NIME topics yet with no conclusive achievements already at hand. Candidates should clearly explain their contribution to the Consortium as well as the expected benefit from participating in it.
There are two different categories:
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PhD students
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Undergraduate and Graduate students
Submissions should be a maximum of 5000 words and include the following entries:
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Title
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Keywords
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Research question(s)
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Related Work (Context, Theories)
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Methods
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Expected outcomes (what you hope to contribute and get from the Doctoral Consortium)
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References/bibliography (not part of the word count)
Submissions may also include the following optional pieces:
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Software
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Video and audio recordings
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Blueprints documenting music interface concepts and physical prototypes, either uploaded along with the main document or hyperlinked from it
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A short recommendation letter from the Supervisor, also clarifying the student’s year of study, research objectives, method, and activity in the context of the Department/Research Lab where the study is done.
Important notes for Student Consortium Submissions:
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Please note that the final papers for the Student Consortium will not be published in the NIME proceedings.
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The papers will be shared amongst the other participants and the chairs who will be attending the Consortium.
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At least one author of accepted submissions must purchase conference registration by the publication-ready deadline to be included in the conference.
Submission information is available here: Preparing your submission
Student Consortium Review Process:
The Student Consortium Chairs will review and select a limited number of candidates via a curation process that considers the quality of their work, and its possibilities to contribute to the creation of a multidisciplinary, diverse, balanced and ethical discussion forum at the NIME conference.
Authors should also familiarize themselves with the NIME statements on diversity and environmental issues as well as the NIME Ethical guidelines for NIME publications.
