Do you have an idea worth spreading?

TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan—a licensed TEDx event coordinated by the Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR)—celebrates the work of USask faculty, staff, students and alumni by harnessing the research, innovations and ideas of the USask community to inspire in-person and online audiences. 

Speaker and performer applications are currently being accepted for TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan 2026.

A TEDx talk is different from a traditional academic or research presentation. Rather, it's a brief (less than 12 minutes) curated presentation centered around a single idea worth spreading. TEDx talks are accessible, impact-focused and engaging. Compelling applications should reflect this distinction. 

Participating as a TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan speaker or performer is an incredible career development opportunity. The skills fostered during this process stand to significantly support individuals in their future endeavors. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their ideas to engaged audiences at home and around the world. Accordingly, participating as a TEDx speaker is a considerable time commitment. We ask that only those able to commit themselves fully to this process apply. 

Applications close Thursday, July 31 at 4:00pm CST. 

Please read the details below carefully before submitting your application.

Application short-listing

Due to the large volume of applications received for TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan events, a short-listing process has been established to respect the time and energy of all applicants, and to provide reviewers with the materials they need to select the strongest ambassadors of USask! 

All applicants are asked to complete the below application, due July 31, 2025 (4:00pm CST). 

Following the review of the initial applicant pool, a short-listed group of applicants will be contacted by August 6, 2025 and asked to provide a supplemental two-minute video submission to explore their idea worth spreading and demonstrate their public speaking skills. Video submissions remain optional but are strongly encouraged. Submissions will be due Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

All applicants will be notified of final decisions by mid-September, 2025. 

Before you apply

Live event commitments: The live TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan event is scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026. Speakers and performers must be present for a dress-rehearsal on Saturday, January 31 and the full event on Sunday, February 1. 

Coaching: TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan speakers and performers are supported by a team of expert science communicators at USask who will work with you one-on-one and in a group setting to help you craft your message and prepare for your talk. Participants are asked to willingly work alongside these communications specialists to carefully craft their script and slides. Speakers will also be asked to attend a minimum of three one-hour coaching sessions, one of which will involve a live recording in USask’s OneButton studio. Performers, who will provide a brief spoken introduction prior to their performance, will be asked to attend a single one-hour coaching session.

Additional commitments: Speakers will be asked to attend an orientation session in the fall of 2025 (approx. 1.5 hours). Speakers will also need to complete the online TEDx Masterclass (approx. 5 hours). 

Scientific claims: Scientific claims made on the TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan stage must be peer-reviewed and made by individuals who have the appropriate qualifications to speak on a subject. The core idea or claim presented in your TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan talk should be your own or that of a broader research, scholarly or artistic community that you represent. You will be asked to provide citations for all scientific claims made during your talk. 

Guidelines and policies: The TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan event is organized under the guidelines and policies of TED and TEDx. Speakers and performers will be asked to abide by the guidelines inherent to this process. The planning committee will communicate these expectations and be available for follow-up guidance and support. 

Video upload and copyright: TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan talks and performances will be recorded live during the in-person event. These recordings are then submitted to TEDx and uploaded to the TEDx Talks Youtube channel, home to over 42 million subscribers. Please note that TEDx owns the copyright to the recordings of these talks and performances and maintains the right to adapt or distribute these materials as they see fit. We encourage you to share your TEDx talk recordings widely to help promote your research, ideas and creativity with the world! 

Performance videos: Performers who wish to have their recordings uploaded to the TEDx YouTube channel will need to perform original pieces void of any licensed or copywritten music, compositions or choreography.

Past TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan talks: We strongly encourage you to review examples from the 2025 TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan event prior to submitting your application. 

• Review the TEDx Content Guidelines here