At FPA®, we value our members of the academic community. The Journal of Financial Planning's annual Call for Papers is a competition to highlight groundbreaking financial planning research and give researchers a platform to share their work with a national audience. Presenters are selected after a double-blind peer review process to share their work at FPA SUMMIT (formerly FPA Annual Conference). Finalists who present at FPA SUMMIT will be eligible for a Best Research award. New this year: All researchers selected to present at FPA SUMMIT must submit a completed, unpublished manuscript related to their presentation by August 18, 2026.
In the past, these sessions have been well received and well attended, and are helpful for planners and academics to:
- Learn what topics are at the forefront of financial planning research.
- Ask researchers questions.
- Provide valuable input that researchers can utilize in developing further research.
This year, the Journal of Financial Planning is asking finalists who are selected to present at FPA SUMMIT 2026 to submit full, unpublished manuscripts. Manuscripts will be considered for publication in the Journal.
Important Deadlines
May 4: Extended abstracts due
June 18: Presentation lineup announced
August 18: Complete manuscripts due
November 9–11: FPA SUMMIT 2026
November 18: Best Research award winners announced
Submission Guidelines
To Be Considered to Present at FPA SUMMIT 2026
- Submit your extended abstract using this form by May 4. Your abstract will undergo double-blind peer review with a team of reviewers who will assess all abstracts to select finalists to present. The review team will consider the following when rating a presentation submission proposal: originality, quality of content/writing, relevance to financial planning/planners, objectivity, and replicability.
- JFP editorial staff will contact you by June 18 to confirm whether you were selected to present. If selected, presenters will receive one complimentary registration for FPA SUMMIT 2026. Co-presenters will be able to purchase additional registrations at a discounted rate.
- Finalists who are selected to present must follow up their extended abstract with a completed manuscript by August 18. Presenters’ manuscripts will be considered for publication in the Journal of Financial Planning following double-blind peer review.
Abstract Structure
The extended abstract should best communicate the essential information you want to convey in your presentation. Abstracts that don't meet the following guidelines will be sent back to be revised.
- Sections should include: Title, Introduction, Methods, Implications for Financial Planners, Conclusion, and References.
- Word count should not exceed 1,500. Tables and references are not included in word count.
- Submit documents as Word files. Please no PDFs.
General Guidelines
- There is no fee to submit an abstract, and researchers may make multiple submissions. Finalists may be allowed to present twice if more than one of their abstracts are selected by the review team.
- Topics on all aspects of financial planning are welcome. We are seeking work in applied and theoretical financial planning research.
- Abstract submission deadline is May 4.
- All submissions will receive acknowledgement of receipt.
- All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.
- Finalists selected to present their research will receive one complimentary registration to present at FPA SUMMIT 2026. Co-presenters may purchase additional registrations at a discounted rate.
- Exceptional research and presentations will be recognized with a Best Research award and a cash prize ($500).
- Research must not have been published yet.
