ANRW 2026: Call for Networking Papers

The ACM/IRTF Applied Networking Research Workshop (ANRW ’26) stands as a pivotal gathering for advancing the Internet’s technical foundations. Scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026, in Vienna, Austria, and co-located with IETF-126, this eleventh edition promises to unite researchers, network operators, vendors, and standards developers. As a hybrid event, it ensures broad accessibility, fostering discussions that could shape future IETF engineering efforts and IRTF experiments.

Why Participate in ANRW ’26?

ANRW has evolved into an essential platform since its inception, bridging theoretical insights with practical implementations. Unlike traditional conferences, it emphasizes results with real-world impact—think novel congestion control mechanisms tested in live networks or analyses of protocol behaviors under stress. Participants gain visibility in the ACM Digital Library, now fully open access, reaching global audiences without barriers.

The workshop’s timing alongside IETF-126 amplifies its value. Attendees can dive into standards work immediately after, influencing protocols like QUIC or HTTP/3. For early-career researchers, it’s a launchpad: past editions have propelled papers into IETF drafts and RFCs.

Submission Categories and Guidelines

ANRW ’26 welcomes two main submission types to accommodate diverse research stages:

• Regular Papers (6-8 pages): In-depth studies with rigorous evaluation, such as large-scale measurements or prototype deployments. Ideal for mature work ready for peer scrutiny.
• Short Papers (2-4 pages): Emerging ideas, position papers, or preliminary findings. Perfect for provocative concepts that spark debate.

Submissions must use ACM templates, anonymized for double-blind review. Notably, non-archival resubmissions of recent publications (within 12 months) are encouraged if they offer fresh angles for the IETF community. All accepted works will be published open access in the ACM Digital Library, a shift starting with this edition to democratize knowledge.

Topics Driving Internet Innovation

The scope is expansive, covering anything impacting Internet development. Organizers prioritize forward-looking research that anticipates IETF/IRTF needs. Here’s a curated list of focus areas:

• Advanced congestion control tailored for diverse networks, including 5G/6G and edge computing.
• Protocol specification innovations, like formal verification tools to prevent bugs in TLS or BGP.
• Centralization risks and governance models, analyzing mega-platforms’ effects on routing and peering.
• Debugging encrypted traffic with privacy-preserving telemetry.
• Network performance metrics for modern apps, from VR streaming to IoT swarms.
• Wireless evolutions: cellular handoffs, satellite constellations like Starlink, and mmWave challenges.
• Resilience strategies for disasters, including ad-hoc meshes in remote regions.
• Decentralization initiatives, such as blockchain-based DNS or peer-to-peer CDNs.
• Evolving IP semantics amid CGNAT, carrier-grade proxies, and privacy relays.

These themes reflect pressing realities: with IPv6 adoption at 40% globally and QUIC handling 60% of web traffic, empirical studies are crucial.

Hybrid Format and Accessibility

ANRW ’26 embraces hybrid participation. In-person attendees enjoy Vienna’s vibrant tech scene, while remote options ensure inclusivity. Submitters unable to travel should notify chairs early for virtual presentation slots. Streaming and recordings will be available post-event.

Impact on Standards and Operations

What sets ANRW apart is its IETF synergy. Papers often catalyze working group discussions—past examples include multipath TCP insights leading to RFC 8684 and eBPF measurements informing observability drafts. Operators share war stories on BGP hijacks or DDoS mitigations, while vendors demo protocol extensions.

For 2026, expect emphasis on AI-driven networks and quantum-safe crypto, aligning with IETF’s post-quantum efforts. This workshop isn’t just academic; it’s a catalyst for deployable fixes to Internet pains like bufferbloat or middlebox ossification.

Preparation Tips for Strong Submissions

To maximize acceptance chances:

1. Emphasize Novelty: Highlight how your work informs standards or operations.
2. Validate Claims: Include reproducible experiments, public datasets, or code artifacts.
3. Engage IETF Context: Reference relevant drafts or RG outputs.
4. Polish Anonymity: Avoid self-cites; use third-person.
5. Seek Feedback: Share drafts on IRTF mailing lists pre-submission.

Reviewers—drawn from IRTF, ACM SIGCOMM, and operators—value practicality over hype.

Venue and Logistics

Vienna hosts IETF-126, offering state-of-the-art facilities at the Austria Center. Expect keynotes from IRTF chairs and SIGCOMM leaders, plus lightning talks for rapid-fire ideas. Registration opens late February 2026; early birds secure spots.

FAQs

Q: Can I submit work already presented elsewhere?
A: Yes, non-archival resubmissions from the past year are welcome if they provide new IETF-relevant insights.

Q: What if I can’t attend in person?
A: Hybrid format supports remote presentations; contact chairs in advance.

Q: Are there travel grants?
A: Check ACM SIGCOMM and IRTF sites for student/operator support programs.

Q: How selective is the process?
A: Acceptance hovers around 30-40%, favoring high-impact applied work.

Q: Post-workshop opportunities?
A: Top papers often spawn IETF BoFs or IRTF RG charters.

Sponsorship and Community Backing

Funded by ACM SIGCOMM and IRTF, ANRW enjoys robust support. This ensures quality proceedings and global reach. Follow @IRTFnews or irtf.org for updates.

Mark May 4, 2026—your research could redefine the Internet’s next decade.

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medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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