Call for Multimodal Grand Challenges
We are calling for teams to propose one or more ICMI Multimodal Grand Challenges.
The International Conference on Multimodal Interaction (ICMI) is the premier international forum for multidisciplinary research on multimodal human-human and human-computer interaction, interfaces, and system development.
The conference’s goals are to implement believable, autonomous, adaptive, context-aware Human Computer Interaction (HCI) systems able to infer how organizational, cultural and physical contexts shape individual perception, choices, and actions. Such systems, e.g., synthetic agents, robots, avatars, or analysis systems, act in real-time, sustain dyadic/group interactions, and actively cooperate in discussion, decision-making, problem solving, and learning/knowledge building. These systems gather information and meanings in the course of everyday activity and build knowledge and practical ability to render the world interpretable while interacting with users attuned to behavioral sequences that underpin collaboration.
ICMI Multimodal Grand Challenges aim to inspire new ideas in the ICMI community and create momentum for future collaborative works. Analysis, synthesis, and interaction are all possible.
Challenge papers will be indexed in the main proceedings of the ICMI.
We invite the ICMI community from various fields related to multimodal interaction to collectively define and tackle these scientific Grand Challenges in this domain including but not limited to the following categories:
- DATA CHALLENGES: gathering new experimental data and theories across a spectrum of disciplines;
- ALGORITHM CHALLENGES: developing algorithms, models, and computational paradigms that may equip machines with human-level automaton intelligence;
- APPLICATION CHALLENGES: implementing HCI systems that enhance the quality of life in society and simplify the user access to future telecommunication services;
- MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHALLENGES: promoting multidisciplinary exchanges, educational initiatives, and new socio-psychological and computational approaches towards socially-emotionally-context-aware Information Communication Technologies (ICT).
Prospective organizers should submit a five-page maximum proposal containing the following information:
- Title
- Abstract appropriate for possible Web promotion of the Challenge
- Distinctive topics to be addressed and specific goals
- Detailed description of the Challenge and its relevance to multimodal interaction
- Length (full day or half day)
- Plan for soliciting participation
- Description of how submissions (challenge’s submissions and papers) will be evaluated, and a list of proposed reviewers
- Proposed schedule for releasing datasets (if applicable) and/or systems (if applicable) and receiving submissions.
- Short biography of the organizers (preferably from multiple institutions)
- Funding source (if any) that supports or could support the challenge organization
- Draft call for papers; affiliations and email address of the organizers; summary of the Grand Challenge; list of potential Technical Program Committee members and their affiliations, and important dates
Proposals will be evaluated based on originality, ambition, feasibility, and implementation plan.
A Challenge with dataset(s) or system(s) that have had pilot results to ensure their representativity and suitability to the proposed task will be given preference for acceptance; an additional 1-page description must be attached in such a case. Continuation of or variants on the 2023/4/5 challenges are welcome, though we ask for submissions of this form to highlight the number of participants that attended during the previous year and describe what changes (if any) will be made from the previous year.
The ICMI organizers will offer support with basic logistics, which includes rooms and equipment to run the Workshop, coffee breaks can be offered if synchronised with the main conference or other related events (e.g., workshops or tutorials).
Important Dates and Contact Details
| Proposals | December January 16th, 2026 (Extended) |
| Proposal notification | February 7th, January 30th, 2026 |
| Paper camera-ready | TBD |
| Grand challenge date | October 5th, 2026 |
Proposals should be emailed to ICMI 2026 Multimodal Grand Challenge Chairs at