Call for SIGCOMM 2026 Regional Pods
Facilitating Access, Supporting Global Participation, Expanding and Strengthening Our Community
Over the past several years, SIGCOMM has experimented with regional pods, where groups of students and researchers gather locally to participate in the conference through live broadcast, shared discussions, and community activities. Our Southeast Asia pods have been an especially strong success (see last year's pod). They have brought together hundreds of participants who would not have been able to attend in person, creating vibrant local communities and generating new energy around SIGCOMM research and education. These pods have become one of our most impactful outreach efforts by lowering barriers to participation and expanding SIGCOMM's global reach.
Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce an open call for SIGCOMM 2026 Regional Pods.
A pod is a locally organized gathering that streams the SIGCOMM main conference program while providing a shared community experience for participants. Pods typically meet at a university or research lab and can range from small groups in a single room to large multi-day events with local programming. The core expectation is that pods meaningfully leverage the SIGCOMM main program, whether through real-time remote participation, recorded sessions viewed on a local schedule, or specially arranged live interactions with presenters, to foster active discussion, engagement, and community building among students and faculty. Beyond that, organizers are welcome to introduce additional activities such as discussion sessions, poster presentations, faculty panels, or other events that reflect local interests and needs.
SIGCOMM is committed to helping pod organizers succeed. While we cannot guarantee substantial funding, the SIG can offer limited financial support to help with essential local costs (e.g., food and drink for attendees) where needed. In practice, many pods operate with modest budgets since a successful event often requires only a suitable room, reliable internet, and a few volunteers. Beyond financial help, organizers will receive guidance from the SIGCOMM pod coordination team, technical support for streaming, visibility on the SIGCOMM website and official channels, access to templates and materials for signage and event organization, and assistance in arranging live or asynchronous discussion sessions with SIGCOMM speakers at times that align with the pod’s local schedule. Pods do not need to be elaborate to be impactful, and we welcome local creativity and enhancements that fit your community, provided the core broadcast component remains in place. All pods are expected to follow the ACM Code of Conduct and ensure a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants.
Prospective organizers are invited to submit a short proposal describing their location, hosting institution, expected audience, local organizing team, planned activities, and any anticipated support needs (administrative and financial). Proposals do not need to be lengthy. A page or two with a clear and concise overview is sufficient for us to understand your goals and how we can help. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but for planning and coordination purposes we encourage submissions by April 30. Please submit proposals by email to pods@sigcomm.org.
Hosting a pod is a powerful way to bring SIGCOMM research and community engagement to your region. Pods help students and researchers who cannot travel participate meaningfully in the conference and gain exposure to cutting-edge work in networking. They strengthen local research communities, build long-term regional connections, and create opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. Pods also offer visibility for your institution and can serve as a catalyst for growing interest in networking research. Past organizers have described the experience as energizing, inclusive, and deeply rewarding. Even smaller pods have made a significant impact by creating shared excitement and a sense of belonging.