Submit Your Idea for a Chance to Speak at TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures in June 2026

What is TED looking for?

The idea is core. Every single TED Talk is built around a powerful idea. The supporting content around this idea can be completely impersonal (based on the speaker’s expertise) or completely personal (based on the speaker’s own life experiences). The talk can also fall somewhere in the middle. No two TED Talks are the same.

There’s a misconception that TED Talks are merely personal, inspirational stories. While some speakers include a tale from their own life, the true focus of a TED Talk is an idea that the listener can take with them. An idea might be big or small, but it must have a powerful takeaway with potential for big impact. That means …

It’s fresh.

Every great TED Talk somehow presents a novel way of seeing the world, or provokes new thinking about a particular topic. If you’re building upon an idea that already exists, think: What makes your interpretation unique?

Take a look at Simon Sinek’s talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, for some inspiration. His answer to a common question — how to lead effectively — is surprising in its simplicity.

It’s solution-oriented.

Many TED Talks explore big problems or challenges. But they are never simply passive observations — they provide bold, exciting solutions that are relevant to a global audience.

So ask yourself: Why should a broad section of people care about this idea? Does it teach something new, inspire action, create a slight shift in perspective that could spark radical change?

In The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Adichie accomplishes this relevance masterfully by reframing her hyperlocal, personal experience as a situation that we all face.

It’s from your unique expertise.

We’re not chasing only Ph.D.s and executives here; we are looking for an idea that is authentic to you. What have your work, your perspective and your life experiences taught you?

What is the story that you, and only you, could tell? Regina Hartley illustrates this principle by incorporating her personal and professional experiences in Why the Best Hire Might Not Have the Perfect Resume.

Talks range as widely as people do.

TED Talks, and their core ideas, can fall anywhere on a spectrum of personal to non-personal. Whenever personal stories are shared, they are in service of the talk’s main idea.

Chimamanda’s talk perfectly illustrates how to elevate an intimate personal story so that it communicates a profound, larger message.

Then there are talks like Regina’s, which carefully weave a personal story between arguments. But many of our most popular talks, like Simon’s, don’t include personal stories at all.

Majora Carter at TED Democracy Speaker Series 1: Under Pressure   — Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia

Who can apply?

If you have a great idea and are over the age of 18, you’re eligible!

What is the time commitment?

Preparing a talk for TED requires a minimum of 50 hours for script development, plus two video rehearsals with the TED team and dedicated time to memorize the talk.

Speakers will spend three days onsite in Philadelphia, with all expenses covered, workshopping and rehearsing with their fellow presenters and the TED team. Then it’s time for the big event: TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures!

Why give a TED Talk?

Click here to hear from TED’s curation team and past TED Institute speakers on why giving a TED Talk was a special and rewarding experience — both personally and professionally.

Scott Shigeoka at TED Democracy Fireside Chat 3: Moving Forward Together   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Tips for applying

As you’re preparing your submission, check out the massive library of talks on TED.com to make sure your approach is distinct.

1. Focus. Describe your idea in 15 words or less. Then, weave a compelling narrative around it, offering your own intriguing angle on the topic.
2. Tell us why it matters. The best talks give the audience a new perspective, context or actionable information — maybe even hope!
3. Include supporting information. Use your expertise, research and powerful anecdotes to bolster your point of view and give us a sense of how you think.
4. Use conversational language — concise, active and jargon-free. Try to describe your concepts in a way that people around the world will understand.
5. Don’t pitch. This is not a branding or product-promotion exercise.
6. It’s not (only) about you. If yours is a personal story, it should include lessons or advice that could apply to others.
7. Be yourself! Please don’t feel you need to play the “TED speaker.” We’re looking for folks who have something to say and their own way to express it. The way you speak, your gestures, your everyday words are all welcome on the TED stage!

What to avoid

Rarely do we invite people to speak about a very personal experience or a personal philosophy. Here are examples of ideas that we would likely not consider:

• How I learned to speak my truth and be my authentic self.
• How to conquer your fears and achieve your dreams.
• Find your passion through unleashing your creativity.
• I had a rare experience and it taught me to face my fear.
• What my journey through illness taught me.
• Find happiness using my patented L.U.V. method: Light, Universe, Vulnerability.
• I traveled to the other side of the world, and it changed my perspective on the stock market, even though I’m not a banker.
• Partisanship: TED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and as such, we are looking for non-biased ideas that will represent diverse viewpoints across the ideological spectrum. The idea should get the audience to think differently, no matter what their viewpoint!

Have other questions?

Please contact Emma Woods ([email protected]).

Ready to apply?

At this time, we are only able to accept applications in English. Please note that applications without videos or applications with videos longer than one minute will not be considered. 

The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

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