You have found a conference that matches your research perfectly. Then you read the announcement and pause: is it a Call for Papers or a Call for Abstracts? They sound similar but they require very different things from you — and choosing the wrong interpretation can mean submitting too little, too much, or too late.
Call for Papers (CFP): Submit the Full Work
A Call for Papers asks you to submit a complete, finished manuscript — introduction, methodology, results, discussion, references, and all. The paper is peer-reviewed in its entirety. If accepted, the same document (with minor camera-ready revisions) is published in the conference proceedings.
Typical length: 4–10 pages in conference format (IEEE, ACM, Springer LNCS, etc.)
Review basis: The full contribution — methodology, results, novelty, writing quality
Outcome if accepted: Paper published in proceedings, citeable as a conference paper
Common in: Computer science, engineering, natural sciences
Call for Abstracts (CFA): Submit a Summary, Present Later
A Call for Abstracts asks only for a short summary — typically 200–500 words — describing what you plan to present. If accepted, you present at the conference, but the abstract itself may or may not be published (sometimes in a programme booklet, rarely in an indexed proceeding).
Typical length: 200–500 words, sometimes with a structured template
Review basis: Fit with conference theme, clarity of research question, preliminary plausibility
Outcome if accepted: An invitation to present; the full paper is written separately
Common in: Humanities, social sciences, medicine, education, interdisciplinary events
Why the Confusion Exists
Several reasons blur the line:
- Two-stage CFPs: Many CS conferences require an abstract submission 1–2 weeks before the full paper deadline. This is not a Call for Abstracts — it is just a heads-up step before the full paper.
- Extended abstracts: Some venues accept 2-page "extended abstracts" that are published in proceedings. These are short papers, not traditional abstracts.
- Poster tracks: A conference running both a full-paper track and a poster track may call the poster track a CFA. Accepted posters appear in a different section of the proceedings.
- Regional differences: In the UK and Australia, "Call for Abstracts" is standard even for events that do publish proceedings. Read the full CFP text, not just the heading.
How to Tell Which One You Are Dealing With
Read the submission instructions page, not just the announcement. Look for:
- Page limit: Under 2 pages strongly suggests abstracts only. 4+ pages means full paper.
- "Proceedings" mentioned? If yes, full paper. If only "programme" or "book of abstracts", likely CFA.
- Indexing statement: "Accepted papers will be indexed in Scopus" = full papers required.
- Review criteria: If they list "originality of results", they want to see results — i.e., a full paper.
What to Submit if You Are Unsure
Email the organising committee. A one-line question — "Do you require a complete manuscript or only an abstract at this stage?" — takes 30 seconds to write and saves you from doing the wrong amount of work. Conference organisers answer this question dozens of times per call; they will not think less of you for asking.
Which Is Better for Your CV?
A full peer-reviewed paper in indexed proceedings generally carries more weight than a conference presentation derived from an abstract. However, presenting at a prestigious society conference — even if only abstract-based — can have significant networking value and open doors that a published paper in a lesser-known venue would not. Match the format to your goal, not to a general preference for one over the other.