NeurIPS 2026 Call for Position Papers

NeurIPS 2026 Call for Position Papers We invite the submission of position papers to be published at the NeurIPS 2026 conference. Position papers argue for a viewpoint or perspective about what should be done, in contrast to other NeurIPS track papers, which in general report on advances that have already been accomplished. As with other NeurIPS tracks, submissions to the position paper track will be evaluated for novelty , rigour and significance . However, the position paper track admits a wider range of methods , and adopts different criteria for establishing significance . As a result, the position paper track is intentionally distinctive from and non-overlapping with other NeurIPS tracks. Methods : While position papers must be relevant to and informed by the science and practice of machine learning, the stances in these papers can be supported through many different forms of evidence, including arguments from reasoning, experimental evidence, or analysis or synthesis of literature. We encourage a wide use of methods to support arguments, including methods from other disciplines and interdisciplinary research without restriction . Significance : Submissions are judged on whether they make a novel and rigorous contribution to a debate that is or should be of contemporary interest to ​​the NeurIPS community. We welcome both topics that will appeal to the entire NeurIPS community, as well as to more specialized sub-communities (e.g. more technical topics, or topics concerning specific applications). Submissions should create opportunities for discussion, exposing novel or deeper perspectives that would otherwise not find a place in the NeurIPS proceedings. Distinctiveness : Because of this, submissions to the position paper track must not be better suited for one of the other conference tracks; authors will be asked at the time of submission to explain why their paper is suited for this track and not another; and papers that clearly meet the criteria for submission to a different NeurIPS track may be rejected on that basis. Position papers will be held to standard NeurIPS expectations for scholarship, including the use of evidence and reasoning to support claims, inclusion of relevant background and context, and attribution of work through appropriate citations. Accepted position papers will be presented at the conference and included in the conference proceedings. Criteria for Position Papers Position papers suitable for publication at NeurIPS are expected to: Take a clear position. It should be possible to summarise in less than three sentences the central claim that the paper is arguing for. Convince the target community that the topic of the position paper is of contemporary interest for discussion. The position paper track is intentionally inclusive of many disciplines and approaches, including interdisciplinary research. This means that authors cannot assume that their audience will be familiar with their subject matter. Authors should make clear why their position is or should be of interest to some subset of the NeurIPS community, and should provide relevant background where necessary. Be well-argued. The position paper track permits a wide range of methods, evidence, and argumentation, but will apply consistently high methodological standards. In particular, claims made about ML systems must be grounded in appropriate technical research; the urgency or importance of one’s position does not justify a lack of rigorous argument in its favour. Invite discussion and refutation. The position paper track aims at pluralism. Authors are encouraged (but not required) to actively consider how those who do not share their position might respond in an “alternative views” or “objections and counterarguments” section. For the avoidance of doubt, the following kinds of submissions are not suited to the position paper track: Papers that clearly meet the criteria for submission to another NeurIPS track. Literature reviews. Please note that there will be no possibility to switch tracks and that papers cannot be submitted to multiple tracks simultaneously. Irrelevant or duplicate papers will be considered a double-submission, and risk desk rejection from all tracks. It is the authors’ responsibility to carefully read the relevant CfPs and identify the most appropriate track. Formatting Instructions and Policies Submissions to the Position Paper Track should follow formatting requirements consistent with the main conference Call For Papers , including a 9-page limit and preparation for double-blind review. The following additional requirements apply to position papers. Note the new requirement to include a written rationale for why your submission is suited to the position paper track this year: Title : The title should state the position. Examples of appropriate titles: “Quantum Atelic Learning Methods Should Employ Psychic Insights" “Stop Research on Psychic Properties of Machine Learning" Non-example titles that do not state a position clearly: “Psychic Quantum Atelic Learning" “A Perspective on Psychic Quantum Atelic Learning" Abstract : The abstract must briefly state the position (e.g., “This position paper argues that .”). Introduction : The introduction must state the position, using bold text. Alternative Views : The paper can (if appropriate) include an “Alternative Views” (or “Counterarguments and Objections”) section in the main body of the paper (not in an appendix) that describes and addresses one or more viable (not strawmen) positions that are opposed to the paper’s position. Methodology : To support appropriate allocation of reviewers, as well as to keep track of the disciplinary profile of submissions, Authors will have the opportunity at submission to indicate the prevailing disciplines or methodologies used in their paper. Paper Checklist : No checklist is required for Position Papers. Rationale for the Position Paper Track: Authors  will be prompted at submission time to enter a short paragraph (250 words max) on why their submission is suitable for the Position Paper Track. This should not be included in the main paper. Use of AI : While we recognise the productivity gains that can be realised through judicious use of AI in research, due to the risk to the integrity of individual projects and of the review system as a whole, the position paper track is establishing the following explicit guardrails on AI use in preparing and reviewing submissions. While AI tools may be used in the research that leads to the final paper, the final paper must itself be substantially written by human authors, meaning that AI is used only for copy-editing or similar peripheral changes to the main text. At submission time, authors will be required to state how AI tools were used in the preparation of the paper, if at all, and to attest that they have not used AI in ways contrary to the above rule. Because papers submitted to the position paper track are confidential, reviewers will be required to commit to not using AI tools to write their reviews. Reviewers and authors found to have contravened their commitments not to use AI may be subject to desk-rejection of any work submitted to the position paper track. Note that the Position Paper Track’s LLM policy differs from the Main Program’s LLM policy. Authors are responsible for understanding policy pertaining to the specific track they are submitting to, and abiding by it. In addition to these policies, all authors and reviewers are expected to adhere to policies listed under “Everyone” in the Main Track Handbook , including but not limited to the NeurIPS Code of Conduct, the Anti-Collusion policy, and the Academic Integrity policy. Important Dates and Submission Site Submission site open: April 5, 2026 Suggested OpenReview account creation deadline: April 21, 2026 AoE. (If you do not already have an OpenReview account, please register by this date; otherwise we cannot guarantee that your account will be activated in time.**) Full paper submission deadline: May 6, 2026 AoE Paper reviews released: July 22 Author discussion period: July 27 - Aug 3 Reviewer + AC discussion period: Aug 3 - Aug 10 Final decisions on papers announced: September 24 Position papers can be submitted through OpenReview: openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2026/Position_Paper_Track OpenReview : All authors must have an OpenReview account. It is strongly recommended that you sign up for OpenReview (or associate your existing account) with an institutional email. If you sign up for OpenReview with an institutional email, your account will be activated immediately; otherwise, it can take up to 2 weeks for your account to be activated. Questions? 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