Healing the world
through the transformative power of pause.
Join VIAHR's global call for papers 2026, enter a global network of academics, and shape the future of work and well-being.
Taking a pause is a human right.
Workplace burnout is on the rise, and the culture of exhaustion is no longer sustainable. To improve both employee well-being and company productivity, we believe that the first step in preventing workplace burnout is to take a break. Preventing workplace burnout is not only a matter of health, but also a vital tool for global reconciliation and peace.
Today's culture of overwork is creating a situation in which everyone loses. It erodes individual well-being and, at the same time, harms companies' economic results due to decreased profits, absenteeism, and loss of talent. This call for papers aims to broaden the current discourse, moving from a conflict between "work and personal life" to a synergy in which employee health drives corporate wealth and work-life balance.
The VIAHR Foundation invites students, doctoral candidates, and researchers to lay the scientific foundations for a healthier work culture. Their research will directly support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for good health (SDG 3) and decent work (SDG 8).
Why participate?
By participating, you will improve your academic excellence thanks to the guidance you receive and your contact with a dynamic global network of peers. This is your opportunity to turn interdisciplinary research into real impact, merging neuroscience, law, and ethics to drive the future of Pause and well-being. Your research will be structured around one of these two pillars:
For the individual
Protect mental health, restore cognitive ability, and defend the human right to rest.
For the organization
Improve productivity, reduce the economic costs of burnout, and foster innovation through a well-rested workforce. We are looking for contributions that demonstrate that taking a break does not mean stopping value creation.
Be part of a global movement that transforms the way
in which we understand and prevent burnout
Global Impact
Contribute to an international conversation about one of the most pressing challenges in today's workplace.
Visibility
Present your research to a diverse audience of professionals, academics, and opinion leaders.
Networking
Connect with experts and colleagues from around the world, fostering new collaborations and opportunities.
Transformation
Help build a future where well-being at work is a priority.
Present your findings at the 2026 VIAHR Summit in New York.
The author of the winning paper will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City (November 2026) to present the research to world leaders at a high-level VIAHR conference held at the United Nations headquarters.
Who is it aimed at?
We accept proposals from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, as well as independent researchers and faculty members. We seek interdisciplinary research focused on four fundamental pillars:
Categories
Key dates: our calendar for 2026
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April 15, 2026
Registration deadline. Secure your place to access the training phase.
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May 30, 2026
Submission of abstracts. Submit a 500-word abstract of your research proposal.
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September 1, 2026
Submission of the complete work. Submit your final manuscript.
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November 2026
New York Conference. All participants will receive a certificate of participation, and the winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to present their findings at the VIAHR Summit held at the United Nations headquarters.
Important documents
Selection Criteria Guidelines
Learn about the specific criteria for evaluating your presentation.
Ethical Protocol
Information on ethical standards and evaluation table
Global Call for Papers 2026
Full text of the call for applications in English
Sign up now
Complete the form below to register for the 2026 Global Call for Papers.
Deadline: until April 15, 2026
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Founding President
Maria Mendez
