(Closed) Resharing TEDxMcMaster App Because Deadline Updated to Jan 18
Ontario, Canada
I shared this on Monday but their link had broken this week. They have since fixed it and reopened the application but with an extended deadline of January 18!
If you’ve been thinking about applying to a TEDx stage this year, make sure to get your application in by next Sunday. This event is based in Canada, but you do not need to be Canadian or be affiliated with McMaster University to apply.
Theme: Momentum
Deadline: Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Scroll down for the application details and link to apply.
Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss TEDx open applications and tips as soon as they drop!
The theme this year
Momentum
Momentum is a force built from movement and the drive to push forward. Through this year’s theme, Momentum, we invite speakers and audiences alike to explore how progress begins, accelerates, and transforms the world around us. From rapid advancements in technology and healthcare to growing social movements, sustainability efforts, and artistic innovation, this theme highlights the power of continuous motion. Whether it is developing groundbreaking tools or using collective action to tackle global challenges, Momentum encourages us to reflect on what propels us ahead and keeps us moving. No matter the field - whether it be biology, engineering, or the arts - the aim of our theme is to spark curiosity and celebrate the forces that drive change. The path forward may be fast-paced and uncertain, but it is also filled with potential. So, where can our momentum take us? Let us find out together!
This theme is intentionally broad and flexible. Talks may explore:
Technology, healthcare, and science
Social movements and collective action
Sustainability and systems change
Art, culture, and creative innovation
Personal or community-level momentum that led to impact
They’re clear that your own interpretation is welcome. The goal is not to force-fit your idea, but to show how it connects to forward motion in some meaningful way.
Who this is for
This call is a good fit if you:
Have an idea that explains what propels change
Want a 15-minute live TEDx talk
Are open to guidance and speaker coaching
Don’t have a perfectly polished talk yet, but know the direction
Want your talk published globally after the event
No age limit.
No prior public speaking experience required.
Passion and clarity matter more than polish.
Event logistics to know
Requirement: Availability for both tech rehearsal and event day
Date: Mid-February to mid-March 2026 (exact dates to be announced)
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Support: Speaker coaches available if selected
Perks: Complimentary conference ticket and TED-hosted video publication after the event
What the application requires
This application has two main parts, and neither needs to be overproduced.
1. Short video submission (2 minutes max)
You’ll submit an unlisted YouTube video where you:
Introduce yourself
Share a high-level summary of your talk idea
Explain how it connects to the theme Momentum
This does not need to be fancy. A smartphone video is completely fine. They’re assessing how you communicate, not your editing skills. (Read this post again for video tips)
2. Written application questions
You’ll be asked for:
A proposed talk title
A short TED-style description (max 100 words)
Why your idea is noteworthy and what you want the audience to take away (max 150 words)
A formative experience or influence that shaped your journey (max 100 words)
A resume (PDF upload)
Optional links to past work, talks, research, or projects
Application Link
Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBbKcTUIjImS0aSbBHh2N2YmF8pTwwSP9nCt-kZpSIT1fXlg/viewform
More details about the event on their instagram.
Their webpage has’t been updated as of today but here it is for your reference:
https://tedxmcmaster.ca
Want help with this application?
If you’re reading the questions and thinking, I know my idea but I’m struggling to articulate it, that’s normal, especially with a short video.
If you’d like assistance, I can help you with a 1:1 strategy session or pitch review
Ideal if you want fast, focused feedback before the January 18 deadline.
If you apply to TEDxMcMasterU, reply and tell me. I love cheering these on.
See you in the next drop,
Geleen Antonio
Let’s connect on LinkedIn.
P.S. As a thank-you for being part of this community, I’ve opened a New Year’s sale for the Speaker Accelerator January 24-25 cohort. If you’ve been on the fence, this might be your moment to build some momentum of your own.