Call for Music

Important Dates:

All dates are 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth).

  • 4 December 2025: Submission CMT Site opens
  • 5 February 2026: Music - Titles, abstracts and author lists due
  • 12 February 2026: Music - Final submissions due
  • 9 April 2026: Acceptance decisions and reviews released
  • 30 April 2026: Camera ready and presenter registration deadline
  • 24-26 June 2026: NIME Conference

For questions about music or installation submissions, please contact the relevant chairs at music@nime2026.org or installations@nime2026.org. For general queries about NIME 2026, please contact the general chairs at general-chairs@nime2026.org.


Submissions

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:

  • Live (In Person) Performance
  • Remote (Pre-recorded) Performance
  • 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: https://nime2026.org/submissions/

Important Notes for Music Submissions:

  • All music submissions must include a PDF submission document using the NIME music template. 
  • 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.
  • Submissions without an appropriate PDF document including the above sections may not be reviewed.
  • Submissions should include images and diagrams as necessary to help reviewers understand the work and how it might be staged.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The NIME organisers cannot provide funding to support performers’ travel or accommodation at the conference.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:

  • Each music submission will be assigned to at least 3 reviewers for evaluation;
  • 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.
  • Production details for accepted works will be arranged through the music chairs following acceptance notifications.