Symposium Mission & Vision
Symposium Mission & Vision
The mission of the FEMA Higher Education Program’s Symposium is to cultivate a collaborative space for emergency management academia, professional organizations, and practitioners that promotes a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Our vision is to establish the Symposium as a dynamic platform where diverse ideas and practices in emergency management higher education are explored and exchanged. We are committed to celebrating the spirit of innovation, education, and community resilience. The Symposium serves as a nexus for emergency management professionals, academics, students, and government officials, facilitating a robust exchange of knowledge and ideas. Together, we aspire to empower communities to navigate and overcome the complexities of disasters and emergencies by educating the next generation of emergency managers.
About the 2025 Symposium
The 27th Annual Federal Emergency Management Agency Higher Education Symposium will be held on June 2-4, 2025.
The symposium is hosted by FEMA’s Higher Education Program and held at the National Emergency Training Center campus in Emmitsburg, MD.
The 27th Higher Education Symposium theme, "Designing the Future: Advancing Emergency Management Education for Tomorrow," emphasizes the need to identify and sustain good education practice while actively seeking to innovate and adapt practices to meet the evolving demands of Emergency Management.
This theme highlights the importance of aligning educational solutions with practical field challenges, preparing professionals for future crises, and enhancing community resilience through education.
Symposium Program & Agenda
Check back here to download useful documents for the Higer Education Annual Symposium. We will add more here once they are available.
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Call for Presentations
Submit before January 6, 2025
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Call for Posters
Submit before January 31, 2025
How to Register
Registration is open through April 30, 2025.
*Non-U.S. citizens and foreign nationals must register by February 15, 2025 to allow adequate time for DHS security clearance proccessing.
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Complete New Prerequisite
All participants must complete the one time mandatory prerequisite, IS-0013: EMI Conduct and Behavior course & exam.
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Apply Online
Carefully follow these specific HiEd symposium application directions:
- Read application instructions & apply at NETC Online Admissions Application
- Apply to course code E8510
- In the “brief description of your responsibilities block” please insert “student, faculty, researcher, practitioner, and/or government”
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Fill the Endorsement Section
Applicants will be asked to enter the head of your sponsoring organization to endorse your application.
- List yourself and your own email under "Head of Organization information"
- Complete the online application and submit
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Endorse Application After Submitting
After submitting the application, you will receive an email requesting endorsement titled: "FEMA Application Submitted -- Endorsement Requested”
- Visit the link provided in the email to endorse and complete your application
- Endorsement must be completed within 14 days of application
- Unendorsed applications will be rejected
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Completed Application
Applicants will begin to receive official acceptance notifications in February 2025.
Registration questions should be directed to the NETC Admissions Office, or 301-447-1035.
Registration Fees & Stipends
- There are no registration fees or tution costs to attend the Symposium
- There are no travel stipends provided to attend the Symposium
- No cost campus housing is available for presenters and attendees
- All participants must purchase a meal ticket if staying on campus. Please see the NETC Welcome Package for more details
