Southeast Native Studies Conference
The 21st annual Southeast Native Studies Conference (SNSC) will be held March 19-20, 2026, at James A. Thomas Hall - Room 225.
The conference provides a forum for discussion of the cultures, histories and contemporary experiences of Native Americans in the Southeast United States. It serves as a critical venue for scholars, students, community members and all persons interested in American Indian/Native American Studies in the region. Held annually since 2005, the SNSC is the only national conference dedicated solely to the unique histories and cultures of Southeastern Native Americans.
Now accepting conference proposals and applications for student travel grants.
Registration Information
Registration Link will be available soon.
Registration Fees
| Days | Price |
|---|---|
| Both Days |
$75 |
| One Day |
$40 |
|
Early Bird (ends December 31, 2025) |
$60 Includes: Conference Attendance, Refreshments and Meals, Printed Materials & Swag Bag |
| Walk-ins | Free Includes: Conference Attendance & Printed Agenda |
Proposal Submission Information
American Indian Studies (AIS) at UNC Pembroke is inviting proposals for papers, panels and poster presentations addressing the study of Native Americans in the Southeastern United States cultural area. Topics may include academic or creative works on archaeology, education, history, socio-cultural issues, religion, literature, oral traditions, art, identity, sovereignty, health, food sovereignty, tribal governance, economic development, language revitalization, cultural resource management, environmental justice and other matters. Creative works may include any written, visual, musical, video, digital or other creative production that connects to Indigenous Southeast peoples’ experiences, histories or concerns. Proposals are welcome from all persons working or doing research in the field. Only complete proposals will receive full consideration. Individuals may submit only one proposal.
The deadline to submit a proposal and student travel grant application is December 5, 2025.
- Prepare an abstract of not more than 250 words in English. A research abstract should contain the study’s purpose, methodology, results and/or conclusions (or may focus on any stage of the study). A creative abstract may be informative, descriptive or critical and contain a thesis, background and/or conclusion. Papers, panels or posters should be of original work not previously presented at any venue.
- Choose an individual paper, a panel presentation or poster presentation format.
- Individual abstracts must contain a presenter name, title, affiliation and an abstract.
- Panel proposals must contain a title of the panel, presenter names and affiliations, titles of individual presentations and a brief précis for all individual presentations; a person designated as chair, and an abstract for the panel as a whole.
- Poster proposals must contain the presenter’s name, title, affiliation and an abstract. The presenter
is required to be present during specified poster session hours for informal questions
and discussions about their research with meeting attendees. Posters will be on display
throughout the duration of the conference. Posters will be attached to a bulletin
board that measures 36” (vertical) by 48” (horizontal). Easels, poster boards (36”
x 48”) and pushpins will be provided. Posters must be printed prior to the event.
General poster guidelines are:
- Materials: Paper-based (with matte finish or coated paper) or foam board (including tri-folds)
- Minimum Information to include Title, Name, Phone, Email, University, Location and Type of Poster, Research or Project
- Submit your proposal as instructed above. You will receive a confirmation email after your submission is received.
- A faculty committee will conduct a blind review of all proposals. All accepted presenters are required to register and attend the conference.
- All accepted presenters using a PowerPoint or other digital media must submit a copy of their presentation to the conference organizers prior to the day of their presentation for backup.
Student Travel Grants
AIS offers travel grants of up to $1,000 to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students to defray the cost of traveling to present their research at the Southeast Native Studies Conference hosted by AIS at UNCP. Travel awards funds may be used for registration, travel expenses, per diem and lodging (3 days, 2 nights).
Any currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate student who is in good academic standing at an institution of higher education and whose research relates to historical and contemporary Native peoples of the Southeast United States is eligible to apply. Each student presenter can receive a maximum of $1,000. Applicants must provide proof of university enrollment.
Students must submit a proposal to present at the Southeast Native Studies Conference and an application for the travel grant. The deadline to submit the presentation proposal and the travel grant application is December 5, 2025.
Applicants must include 1) proof of current enrollment (e.g., a letter from advisor or registrar, transcript, current course schedule) and 2) a letter of support. Proof of enrollment should include the student's name, the school name and a recent date. Students may need to combine multiple documents to confirm their enrollment status.
A letter of support from the faculty research advisor who mentored the research project the student will present, a faculty advisor or department head endorsing the application, and the significance of the presentation is required. The student must submit the letter of support with the application.
This letter should include: a brief statement confirming details of the faculty member’s mentorship and supervision of the student’s research; a brief statement about the student and their work; a short assessment of the potential significance of the student’s conference participation; and whether this research is supported by a grant (if so, include the funder’s name and amount of support).
Proposals to present and grant applications will be evaluated by UNC Pembroke American Indian Studies faculty. The AIS chair will notify applicants of the faculty’s decision concerning their application by December 15, 2025.
Upon notification of an award, the grant recipient must reply to the AIS chair’s email notifying the applicant of the decision by December 20, 2025 to accept the award.
Direct-bill means AIS will pay for expenses directly (e.g., travel, lodging, per diem and conference fees) up to $1,000. Additional costs must be covered by the grant recipient. No direct payment will be made to grant recipients for travel and lodging. The per diem will be disbursed after the conclusion of the conference.
Connect With Us
Old Main, Suite 204
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: 910.521.6266
Fax: 910.522.5795
ais@uncp.edu
