CFP FAQ
Thinking about submitting a talk to KCD Budapest 2026? Open a question below for guidance on proposal topics, abstracts, review expectations, and where to get help.
Who can submit a talk?
Anyone with a cloud native story, lesson, demo, or idea is welcome to submit. You do not need to be a professional speaker, a project maintainer, or a local attendee to propose a session.
First-time speakers are especially welcome. If you have a useful experience to share, we want to hear from you.
Can I get travel funding?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide travel funding. KCD Budapest is a community-organized event, and our budget does not include travel support for speakers.
What topics are a good fit?
We are looking for practical, community-minded talks about Kubernetes, cloud native projects, platform engineering, security, observability, DevOps, developer experience, operations, and real production lessons.
Strong proposals usually explain a concrete problem, what you learned, and what attendees can take back to their own teams.
I haven't spoken at a conference yet. Should I submit?
Absolutely. We welcome first-time speakers. Events like this are the perfect opportunity to get started with public speaking.
If you are unsure, reach out to us and we'll help you with the CFP.
My talk includes references to paid products. Is that a problem?
No. It's okay to mention your product, but it can't be the main topic of your talk. Attendees should be able to use the learning or takeaway without your product.
A good rule of thumb: use a maximum of one slide about your paid product, highlighting the differences.
What should I include in my abstract?
Describe the problem, the audience, the story or technical content you will cover, and what attendees will learn. Keep it specific enough that reviewers can understand the session without already knowing you or your project.
A good abstract does not need to be long. Clear, concrete, and honest is better than buzzword-heavy.
Does my talk need to be brand new?
No. A talk can be based on work you have presented elsewhere, especially if it is still relevant for the KCD Budapest audience.
If you are reusing a talk, consider updating it with fresh lessons, local context, or a clearer cloud native angle.
What language should I use for the proposal?
Please write your proposal in English so the review process stays consistent and accessible to the whole program team.
If language or wording is the thing holding you back, ask us for help. The idea matters more than perfect phrasing.
When will selected speakers be notified?
We expect to send out speaker notifications around mid-September. Selected speakers will receive the next steps for their accepted sessions by email.
Still unsure?
Bring your draft, rough idea, or question to the community. We can help you turn it into a stronger proposal.
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