Application tips

To apply, you will need to submit an application online. Your written application will help us understand the kind of event you would like to hold - please include as much detail as you can. At this time, we only accept applications written in English.

Once we have received your application, it will be reviewed in the order it was received. We review every application thoroughly, so the process can take up to eight weeks. We will update you by email once this process is complete. If we have any questions about your proposal, we will reach out by email.

The TEDx organizer community is made up of students, teachers, parents, industry professionals, artists, and more! The one characteristic all TEDx organizers have in common is the desire to engage their community around impactful ideas. If you have a collaborative spirit, a love for learning, and the desire to invest in your community, then we encourage you to apply!

Please note that TEDx events are not commercial endeavors. You may not use the community program to stage your clients, feature your business nor sell services in any form.

You will need to select your event type before applying for a license. There are different event types available based on the community they serve, the format, and whether they are part of a specific TED initiative. Please review each type carefully to determine which is the right fit for you. Learn more about all the different event types

Your event name should reflect the community or educational institution your event will serve. Learn more about naming your event

Suggest an event date that is months away. You’ll need a minimum of three months to organize your event after your license is approved to give your speakers enough time to develop and rehearse their talks and to give your team enough time to produce and market your event. Again, TEDx event applications can take up to eight weeks to review. Unless otherwise noted in your chosen event type, you will have 12 months to organize the event once you are licensed.

Be realistic about time. Some things to consider: Does your proposed date provide enough time to…
- build your team?
- find sponsors and venues?
- allow your speakers to construct and practice their talks?
- let your intended audience learn about the event and buy tickets?

Also, is your proposed date too close to other TEDx events nearby? (You can find out by searching for TEDx events in your area.)

In the application, we ask for at least 3 examples of ideas for talks that you would like to see presented at your event. We understand that plans for your event are tentative and subject to change but by doing this exercise and describing examples of the type of talk ideas you may seek you will help us understand your proposal and speed up the licensing process.

Remember, we want to hear about the ideas that you are interested in showcasing - an idea is the original concept or notion that your speakers will bring to the stage at your event.

A great, well-formed idea can actually be one of two things:
- Something that’s new and surprising; an idea or invention that your audience has never heard about.
- A great basic idea (that your audience has maybe already heard) with a compelling new argument behind it that challenges beliefs and perspectives.

In other words, an idea isn’t just a story or a list of facts. A good idea takes certain evidence or observations and draws a larger conclusion.

We don't expect you to have speakers yet or to come up with a program of great new ideas on your own! Is there amazing work being done -- research, discoveries, insights, theories, solutions, etc. -- that you’re excited about? These can be ideas you have heard about or local issues that have not yet been addressed in a TED or TEDx Talk. Learn more about brainstorming talk ideas for your application.

Please keep in mind that TEDx events are volunteer endeavors - speakers cannot pay, or be paid, to share their ideas at your event. It’s also important to note that team members and sponsors can never speak at the events they support.

Include different topics! Every talk at your event should be different from the other talks in subject matter and tone. Though “Social entrepreneurship” or “Sustainability” might seem like broad categories, if every talk in the program centers on social entrepreneurship and sustainability then the event did not explore a variety of topics. TEDx events should not be limited to one area.

We recommend you look at the application form first, then spend time offline composing your answers in Google Docs, Microsoft Word or a similar word-processing program. Please remember to keep an offline copy. You can save your draft application and complete it later.