IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) International Leadership Summits (ILS) will continue as a part of IEEE WIE’s portfolio of global initiatives that focus on Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Emerging/Disruptive Technology. All summits are to be aligned with the IEEE WIE Vision Mission and Goals. WIE Summits provide regional opportunities for networking, mentorship, training, and collaboration. Up to ten (10) Summits are planned to be conducted globally in 2025.

The call for the 2025 WIE Summits is now open until 31 October 2024! Apply to host a 2025 ILS by completing the form below!

Proposals for 2025 WIE Summits should be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 31 October 2024. All IEEE WIE-provided templates must be used when submitting a proposal, planning, and conducting a WIE ILS. Proof of endorsement from an IEEE Region and/or Section must be provided as part of your proposal. All events must be held no later than 15 December 2025.

Here’s a helpful tutorial with detailed instructions to complete the application process for the IEEE WIE International Leadership Summits.

The IEEE WIE Summits Subcommittee will evaluate and recommend approval of up to ten (10) Summit proposals based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with IEEE WIE’s mission, vision, and objectives.
  • The proposed location has not held a WIE ILS within the past 3 years.
  • Alignment with the 2025 theme listed in the “Program” section below.
  • Availability of a Volunteer Organizing Committee, to include local section volunteers in the roles of Program Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, at minimum.
  • Availability of a proposed venue.
  • Submission of a preliminary budget.
  • Submission of a letter of endorsement from an officer of the Section or Region
  • Quality of proposed session topics, sponsors, and speakers.
  • Describes ways in which their Summit will addresses the needs of WIE membership in their area.

  1. WIE Summits must follow the 2025 theme: “Innovating for Tomorrow: Women in Engineering at the Forefront of Technological Advancements” Adherence to this theme must be reflected in your proposal.
  2. Recommended tracks may include, but are not limited to, the following: Innovation, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Leadership Skills, and Emerging/Disruptive Technology.
  3. Speakers from outside IEEE including industry, academia and government are encouraged.
  4. Single presentations, panels, workshops and hands-on demonstrations are encouraged.
  5. Conference proceedings and publications of presented papers are not permitted in WIE Summits.

  1. Organizing committee chairs must be IEEE WIE Graduate Student (or higher) members and at least one must reside in the proposed Summit location.
  2. IEEE WIE Local Section AG and Section Members and volunteers should be involved in the Organizing Committee.
  3. Must include a program Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer at a minimum.
  4. Organizing committee members can be from multiple geographic locations but must include members from the proposed Summit location.
  5. IEEE WIE Graduate Student grade (or higher) should chair the Sub-committees in the Organizing Committee.

  1. WIE Summits must follow all rules defined by IEEE Conference Standards Policy 10.0.
  2. The Organizing Entity will be responsible for all financial surplus and losses of the event. It is expected that any surplus from the program will be reinvested in local activities that support IEEE WIE members.
  3. IEEE WIE Program headquarters will provide approved proposals with seed funding in the amount of $1,500 USD to be applied to the costs associated with the IEEE WIE ILS only. These contributions do not need to be repaid. Funding is contingent upon proper adherence to IEEE WIE Summit guidelines, templates, and IEEE and IEEE WIE branding guidelines. IEEE WIE reserves the right to rescind approval and/or funding should any requirements or deliverables are not met.
  4. The organizer should submit a revised event budget within two (2) months prior to the Summit start date.
  5. The organizer must submit a final event report, including a financial summary, on the report template provided, within two (2) months after the Summit.
  6. WIE Summit registration rates should reflect discounts for IEEE and WIE members.

  1. IEEE, IEEE WIE Branding Guidelines, and IEEE WIE ILS Branding and Marketing guidelines, including use of logos, event title formats, colors, etc., must be adhered to at all times.
  2. IEEE WIE ILS branded website template is provided to the organizer in the IEEE WIE Branding Guidelines presentation and must be utilized for promoting the event.
  3. Copy WIE staff on event communications and marketing at wie-Summits@ieee.org. Please provide links for Summit social media accounts.
  4. Marketing before, during, and after the Summit should include efforts to attract new members to IEEE and WIE.

IEEE WIE International Leadership Summit Branding Guidelines and Virtual Tools

Download the presentation slide deck here.

Below are some key dates to keep in mind when planning an IEEE WIE Summit. A detailed Summit Timeline template will be provided to all approved WIE Summit organizers. The following is a suggested/sample timeline for an in-person event. Items in bold text are required:

  1. Upon approval of the WIE Summit:
    a. Summit Organizer Toolkit & Templates will be sent via email
    b. Approved Summits begin local marketing
  2. 1 month after approval:
    a. Initial planning session with IEEE WIE staff and subcommittee members will be scheduled and organizers must attend.
    b. Summit planning committee list submitted to wie-summits@ieee.org
    c. Materials required for the initial funding disbursement in the amount of $1,000 must be submitted to wie-summits@ieee.org. These materials include the created website link, confirmed venue, the proposed tracks, and preliminary Summit program
  3.  3-5 months prior to Summit start date:
    a. Call for speakers opens
    b. Event website must be up and running.
    c. Summit registration opens
  4. 6 weeks prior to summit start date:
    a. Final Summit program must be submitted to wie-summits@ieee.org
  5.  No later than 14 days post Summit end date:
    a. Summit post-event survey to be sent to attendees, sponsors, speakers, exhibitors
  6. 60 days post Summit end date:
    a. Post-event report must be submitted to wie-summits@ieee.org

  1. The IEEE WIE ILS Attendee Survey and a Sponsor Survey must be conducted within two (2) weeks after the Summit concludes. (Template to be provided.)
  2. Summit sponsors, registration list, attendee list, and completed Summit survey results must be sent to wie-Summits@ieee.org within two (2) weeks after the conclusion of the Summit.
  3. The final report must be submitted within two (2) months after the conclusion of the Summit. (Template will be provided.)

 Contact Information

Should you have questions regarding the WIE ILS guidelines and process, please send an email to wie-summits@ieee.org.

Submission Form