The SIGCHI Committee to Aid Reporting on Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Ethical Violations (CARES) assists ACM SIGCHI members and attendees who have experienced discrimination, harassment, and/or been impacted by ethical violations at SIGCHI events or in relation to to SIGCHI activities. CARES is implemented by the ACM across many different SIGs, e.g. SIGSOFT, SIGCOMM, SIGARCH, among others.

As a committee of the SIGCHI Executive Committee (EC), CARES is charged by the EC to provide completely confidential support to members of the SIGCHI community. CARES listens to members who are in need of advice and support, or who just want to talk. If they would like advice on what kinds of actions they can take, CARES does its best to provide such advice.

The current chairs of SIGCHI CARES are stepping down, having served in this capacity for several years. This call aims for a transition by October of 2026.

General Responsibilities

The responsibilities and oversight of SIGCHI CARES co-chairs include, but are not limited to:

• Organizing and leading committee meetings
• Recruiting, onboarding, and training committee members
• Coordinating case work by CARES members
• Coordinating CARES liaisons for SIGCHI conferences
• Record-keeping, gathering resources, and reporting quarterly to the SIGCHI EC

Duration of Service

Co-chairs serve for a term of two years, and can serve for two consecutive terms, but must be re-appointed. 

Qualifications to Serve

In general, CARES Co-Chairs should be familiar with the work of the committee, preferably through having served on the CARES committee for at least one year. 

In certain cases, similar work in other settings, such as institutional support organizations, may be considered as equivalent to CARES experience.

Procedure for Appointment

All nominations will be considered and evaluated by a subcommittee of the EC (including the President and CARES Liaison) and serving co-chairs. 

Nominations will be accepted until September 6, 2026.

Thank you for your interest in nominating an individual for a SIGCHI award or special recognition. The deadline for nominations is Saturday, October 31, 2026, 11:59pm, AoE. (The deadline for the Hanson Award is in November.)

The SIGCHI awards identify and honor leaders and shapers of the field of Human-Computer Interaction within SIGCHI. We present awards in seven categories:  

• SIGCHI Lifetime Research Award;
• SIGCHI Lifetime Practice Award;
• SIGCHI Lifetime Service Award;
• SIGCHI Social Impact Award;
• SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award; 
• Induction into the SIGCHI Academy; and
• SIGACCESS/SIGCHI Vicki L. Hanson Early Career Research Award in Computing Accessibility.

You can find a detailed criteria for the first six awards on the SIGCHI website. You can also read more about the nomination process, guidelines for putting together nominations, who reviews them, and our FAQ. 

New this year, we are seeking nominations for the inaugural Vicki L. Hanson Early Career Research Award in Computing Accessibility, which is jointly awarded with SIGACCESS. Please see the Vicki L. Hanson Award page for nomination instructions.

Finally, we are continuing with the SIGCHI Special Recognitions initiative to celebrate and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in ways that may not be fully captured by our existing awards. This initiative seeks to acknowledge a diverse range of significant impacts. Possible special recognitions include the following (not an exhaustive list): Emerging Researcher, for exceptional early-career research; Excellence in Education or Mentorship, for outstanding contributions to HCI curricula, pedagogy, or mentorship; Community Building and Outreach, for mutually beneficial impact on communities; Significant Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion, for those advancing diversity and inclusion in HCI; Impactful Industry-Academia Collaboration, for impactful collaborations between industry and academic organizations; Breakthrough in Theory, for outstanding theoretical contributions to HCI research; etc.

For all awards and special recognitions EXCEPT Outstanding Dissertation, the following information is required: 

• Summary (1,000 words max.) of how the nominee meets the criteria for the award;
• Current CV of the nominee; 
• Names and contact information of two people who are knowledgeable about the qualifications of the nominee, and agree that the nominee deserves the award. These endorsers do not write a separate endorsement letter. The nominator confirms with the endorsers that they endorse the nominee.

For the Outstanding Dissertation Award, the following information is required:

• The nominee's ACM membership number (candidates must be ACM members); 
• The full Ph.D. dissertation (in English);
• A list of publications for the dissertation;
• A letter from the advisor (or advisors if co-advised); and
• A letter of support from a third person with knowledge of the work.

Eligibility for the Outstanding Dissertation Award: Dissertations must have been successfully completed between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Each department may only submit one nomination. Please discuss within your department to make no more than one nomination.

SIGCHI awards and special recognitions do not accept self-nominations. 

Thank you for your interest in nominating an individual for the inaugural SIGACCESS/SIGCHI Vicki L. Hanson Early Career Research Award in Computing Accessibility. The deadline for nominations is Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11:59pm, AoE. 

The Vicki L. Hanson Award identifies and honors early-career researchers who have made significant contributions toward the accessibility of computing systems. Research in this area contributes new methods, systems, empirical findings, and theoretical insights that improve access to computing and digital technologies for people with disabilities and older adults. Accessibility research strengthens the broader computing discipline by advancing inclusive design, usability, human-centered methods, and equitable participation in technology.

Eligibility: 

• As this award is for early-career researchers, the nominee's most recent PhD, or other terminal degree, must have been awarded no more than 7 years prior to the nomination deadline (i.e., after Nov. 14, 2019). Exceptions may apply in the case of career disruption: The nominator should address this in the nomination letter, with an indication of the duration of disruption. Relevant circumstances may include parental leave, major illness, disability-related interruptions, etc.
• Current ACM membership is required.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.

Nomination requirements: 

• Nominee's current CV; 
• Nominator's letter (1-2 pages);
• Two to four letters of support (each no more than 2 pages). 

For more information, see the detailed description of the Vicki Hanson Award and its rationale. 

The SIGCHI Development Fund (SDF) provides resources for the SIGCHI community to spur communication, innovation, and expansion of HCI at the global and local levels. The SDF offers grants for: 1) specialized conferences, 2) chapters, 3) sustainability activities, and 4) other types of community events/initiatives.

The SDF aims to support proposals in any of the above categories that experiment with new opportunities, reach out to new groups, innovate hybrid/virtual engagement, and promote equity, sustainability, accessibility, and mentorship in new ways. Overall, any initiative that fulfills the SDF aim and aligns with SIGCHI's commitment to addressing systemic injustices is welcome. All SIGCHI members are eligible to apply.

If you have any further questions, please look at the FAQ on the SIGCHI website or direct them to sigchi-dev-fund@acm.org.

What kinds of initiatives does the SDF support?

Examples of initiatives we are looking to fund include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

• Events to promote/support diversity and inclusion at a SIGCHI conference.
• Mechanisms to support underrepresented groups (disciplinarily or demographically) to present at a SIGCHI conference or one of its workshops.
• Events for connecting different communities, which could be in the sense of geography, discipline, or academia/industry, etc.
• Tutoring or paper-writing workshops for new authors to submit to SIGCHI conferences.
• Summer schools or mentoring activities.
• Initiatives organized by SIGCHI chapters.
• Events to promote/support diversity and inclusion at a SIGCHI specialized conference.
• Mechanisms to improve accessibility of events, e.g., sign language interpreters.
• Ideas which increase attendance at SIGCHI conferences (e.g., around hybrid participation) and help develop the interest in the specific topic covered by the conference.
• Ways to promote socio-ecological sustainability in HCI, which can focus on raising awareness or on hands-on activities about recycling, reusing or more responsible resourcing.

Recently funded initiatives, which can be used for inspiration, are published on the SIGCHI website.

Who can apply?

All SIGCHI members can submit a proposal. If the proposal is from the organizing committee of a SIGCHI conference, a letter of endorsement from the steering committee chair should be submitted also.

How much funding can a proposal request?

Grants are typically between USD 5,000 and 10,000 (or less), according to the submitted budget and whether the expenses are in alignment with the SDF goals stated above. 

If you need more than USD 10,000 in support for an initiative that is fully aligned with SDF goals, please, let us know in the submission form. Small grants are encouraged. The awarded amount will depend on funds available and applications received.

What can the fund cover?

Events/initiatives taking place outside of SIGCHI conferences (supported) can ask for covering any items aligned with the SDF and the proposal goals. In this case, funds are disbursed to the primary sponsoring organization indicated in the proposal (a university, a company, a non-profit, etc.) as a lump sum check.

Instead, if the event/initiative is (part of) a SIGCHI conference (sponsored), expenses will be mainly reimbursed. Conference registrations will be handled via the generation of complimentary codes, as we cannot reimburse registrations. We will not pay for the labor cost of ACM and/or SIGCHI members, gift cards (or similar), and services already provided by the conference itself or by SIGCHI (e.g., travel grant programs). Similarly, we discourage the purchase of equipment. All financial claims are guided by ACM policies on what can be claimed and how (for travel and non-travel expenses). Any funding award is tied to the specific activity and must not appear in the conference budget.

How is a proposal reviewed?

For the purpose of reviewing, proposals will fall under one of the following categories, which we will ask you to indicate in your application. Proposals can be 1) from SIGCHI specialized conferences, 2) from SIGCHI chapters, 3) for a sustainability activity, or 4) for a different type of community event. Each category has a dedicated budget, and reviews will be led by the VP Conferences, VP Chapters, AC Sustainability, and/or AC Community Support, respectively (see members of the Development Fund committee). Applying to one category does not prevent applying to another category at another time. 

Regardless of category, all proposals should address the following items and provide any other information about the event/initiative that seems relevant. The submission form has specific questions for each of these items:

• Organizing Committee: We will look for relevant experience to signal success and organizing teams with complementary skills.
• Primary Sponsor: The proposal must include the conference name if the initiative is happening at a SIGCHI conference. Otherwise, the proposal must indicate the organization that is mainly organizing and managing the event, such as a university, a company, a non-profit, etc. This organization will need to send an invoice to us with the total granted amount and fill out a tax form before the funding can be disbursed directly. Please note that, in this case, the initiative will be supported (not sponsored) by SIGCHI, and SIGCHI will not be financially or legally liable for the event. The FAQ page provides further details about this process.
• Explanation of Value: The proposal must elucidate how the initiative would provide new value to SIGCHI members, to the SIGCHI conference it is a part of, or to the chapters. It must also report the motivation behind the proposal, and how much the initiative is aligned with the SDF goals.
• Feasibility of Plan: The proposal must convey a well-defined agenda with clear outcomes. The funding will be for a single activity, although the activity might take place over an extended period. There must also be a plan for sharing takeaways and lessons learned with the SIGCHI community.
• Suitability of Format: Since events that offer multiple formats for participation can be more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable, we will prioritize hybrid initiatives that ask for funding towards this goal.
• Soundness of Budget: The proposal must include a clear and suitable budget, aligned with the rest of the proposal and with justifications. The budget must follow a given template.
• Alignment with EC priorities: We ask that organizers describe how the overall organization of their event/initiative aligns with EC priorities around accessibility, safety, sustainability, global participation, equity, and hybrid formats. We have put together guidelines for how events/initiatives might implement these priorities. These guidelines are intended to be generative, not prescriptive—we welcome feedback on their applicability, and ideas for implementation that would be best tailored to your event. Overall, it is not required for proposals to fulfill these guidelines in order for them to be funded. We also recognize that organizers of events that are part of larger ones, such as a workshop at a conference, may not be involved in all of these aspects of planning. We will review with the context and resources available for the event in mind, and preference will be given to those that demonstrate the greatest alignment.

Is there a specific timeline for the grant?

The SDF has an ongoing open call! You can expect notifications around one month after the submission. After the completion of the event, we will ask for a brief report.

As a volunteer-driven organization, we are deeply reliant on numerous volunteers who give their time to organizing conferences, reviewing papers, overseeing initiatives, and much more. The SIGCHI Executive Committee (EC) oversees the SIG, with its ~5,600 members, 28 conferences, and 82 chapters, and in doing so, is supported by ~20 committees. 

Our committees are listed on our website and below. The committees covered by this call are listed below. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for one or more volunteer roles, please use the same form.

You can state your interest in volunteering for a particular committee, if you are already familiar with its remit, but you can also more generally express your interest in serving under any of these three listed areas below: Conferences & Publishing, Community & Care, and Global & Local, sharing in detail how you would most like to contribute. 

Please email sigchi-4all@acm.org with any questions.

CONFERENCES & PUBLISHING

• Operations Committee: Supports SIGCHI's technical infrastructure, including platforms, services, and software used by the EC and by the SIGCHI community.
• Publications Committee: Supports the community and conferences on understanding, implementing, and navigating publications processes.
• Research Ethics Committee (ad hoc*): Offers advice on research ethics for issues that arise during the research process.

COMMUNITY & CARE

• Accessibility Committee: Supports SIGCHI conferences and community in fostering more inclusive knowledge sharing, conferencing, and networking practices.
• Advisory Council: Supports the SIGCHI president in addressing challenges pertaining to overarching concerns, as and when they arise. 
• Communications Committee: Supports SIGCHI communications, including the website, social media platforms, newsletter, and internal and external messaging.
• Development Fund Committee: Manages/promotes the Development Fund, including reviewing applications, disbursing funds, and pursuing novel directions for support.
• Gary Marsden Travel Awards Committee: Manages SIGCHI's travel awards, including reviewing applications, disbursing funds, communicating with applicants, and ensuring program guidelines serve all members.
• CARES (ad hoc): Offers support to members who experience discrimination and/or harassment by offering space for a confidential conversation and helping navigate SIGCHI and ACM reporting processes.
• Equity Committee (ad hoc): Works towards SIGCHI's equity initiatives that support meaningful inclusion and participation in the community, such as trainings and resources.
• Futuring SIGCHI Committee (ad hoc): Supports early career members and mentors in piloting creative projects that support SIGCHI’s future(s).
• Sustainability Committee (ad hoc): Introduces initiatives supporting awareness, best practices, and new ideas around sustainability within SIGCHI.

GLOBAL & LOCAL

• Chapters Committee: Supports local and regional HCI communities in forming and sustaining SIGCHI chapters, and enables sharing of best practices across chapters.
• Asia Committee (ad hoc): Promotes SIGCHI activities across Asia, supports connections across HCI communities within Asia, and identifies initiatives for developing HCI research and practice in the region.
• Latin America Committee (ad hoc): Promotes SIGCHI activities across Latin America, supports connections across HCI communities within Latin America, and identifies initiatives for developing HCI research and practice in the region.
• Mediterranean Committee (ad hoc): Promotes SIGCHI activities across the Mediterranean region, supports connections across HCI communities within the Mediterranean, and identifies initiatives for developing HCI research and practice in the region.

 * See article 7 of the SIG’s bylaws on ad hoc committees: “(a) The SIGCHI President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall create and appoint members and a chair to ad hoc committees and designate adjunct chairs for specific purposes within SIGCHI. Ad hoc committees shall have a specific charge and shall exist until dissolved by vote of the Executive Committee.”

Before SIGCHI appoints any volunteers, they must be looked up on the ACM Sanctions Database. When you agree to be considered for a volunteer role, you are confirming that you are okay with this look-up. If the database produces a positive result, you will be informed so that you may withdraw your nomination. You may also withdraw it anytime you are no longer interested in volunteering. 

The Gary Marsden Travel Awards invite applications from undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers (such as those who are ≤ 5 years post-graduation), and those experiencing financial hardship or lacking institutional support, to attend ACM SIGCHI conferences. See below for more details.

For transparency, recipients are announced periodically on the SIGCHI website.

Who is eligible to apply?

• You must be a SIGCHI member at the time of application to be eligible. Read about membership and how to sign up on the SIGCHI website. Please note, ACM membership and SIGCHI membership are not the same. You can check which one you have via MyACM. 
• We will consider no more than one presenter per submission. Also, we will consider no more than one student per advisor, per GMTA submission cycle.
• If we have a large number of applicants, we will prioritize first-time attendees and presenters. Acceptances can include papers, posters/extended abstracts, works in progress, demos, case studies, etc., though we may consider type of submission if we have many applicants. If you do not have a submission or it has not been accepted yet, however, you can still apply.
• Overall, we will prioritize applications that demonstrate financial need and compelling benefit to the applicant in attending the conference. 

When should I apply?

• There are seven deadlines per year: the 9th of January, February, March, May, July, September, and November at 11:59 PM AoE.
• You must apply to a deadline that occurs more than one month prior to the start of the conference that you plan to attend. If you have a conference acceptance, we recommend applying as soon as possible after receiving it. Please note that you may apply for the travel award before your submission has been accepted, especially if you need to apply for a visa or conference notifications are sent out after the appropriate GMTA deadline.
• Normal turnaround times for decisions will be one month from the deadline (e.g., if you apply to the January 9 deadline, you will receive a notification around February 9). We will try to offer faster turnaround times (two weeks) for applicants who need to apply for visas. Note that ACM policy allows for visa letters to be generated during conference registration.

What can the award cover?

• The awards cover both physical and virtual attendance at SIGCHI conferences. There are no limits on how many times you can receive GMTA support for virtual attendance. For physical travel, you can only receive support once every three years. 
• The maximum amount awarded will depend on funds available and applications received in a given cycle.
• Registration: Through complimentary codes, we can cover any combination of conference registration and up to two workshops/courses. You must list the items you would like covered in your budget.
• Travel: Through reimbursement, we can cover flights, local transportation, lodging, meals, childcare, one travel companion ticket, and mobility aids (e.g., scooters, walkers). Other expenses, including visa fees, cannot be covered as per ACM policy.
• Carbon offsets should be estimated and included in the cost of registration if you are taking a flight. You can use websites such as Cool Effect to calculate costs.
• Childcare funds can be reimbursed for virtual or physical travel, provided a receipt. For physical travel, funds can be used to cover childcare at the conference location or at home.
• One travel companion ticket can be requested for physical travel, provided a justification for why it is needed (e.g., a care provider for an infant, sighted guide, personal care assistant).
• Please update us via Submittable if you receive other funding while waiting for GMTA decisions. 
• After submission, any changes to the budget need to be re-approved.

How are funds disbursed?

• We typically provide registration via a complimentary code and reimburse other travel expenses. For reimbursement of travel expenses (not including registration), you would upload receipts to ACM's travel portal after the conference. Once your receipts are approved, you will receive your payment within 30 days (via wire transfer for recipients outside the US and via direct deposit or check for recipients within the US).
• In cases of acute financial constraint, we are able to offer an advance for travel expenses, which will allow you to cover expenses prior to travel instead of waiting for a reimbursement. If you have been awarded a GMTA, and cannot cover your travel expenses yourself nor have someone cover them for you, email sigchi-4all@acm.org explaining your circumstances, and which expenses precisely you would need an advance for. If possible, mention and copy a mentor or advisor on the email who is aware of your situation and supports your request for an advance. If you are approved for an advance, you will need to fill out a budget and a US tax form. After the conference, you will need to submit receipts and return any unused portion of the advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the FAQ on the SIGCHI website for questions about the application process, reimbursements, etc. For other questions or fixes/feedback on the application form, email sigchi-4all@acm.org.