Request an NPR Speaker NPR's award-winning journalists, hosts, and executives are in high demand to enlighten audiences by delivering keynotes, moderating panels, and engaging in other forms of public speaking.

Request an NPR Speaker

NPR's award-winning journalists, hosts, and executives are in high demand to enlighten audiences by delivering keynotes, moderating panels, and engaging in other forms of public speaking.

NPR speakers cover a wide range of topics including but not limited to journalism, the state of U.S. media, breaking news, foreign affairs, health, education, diversity in America, digital innovation, and leadership. Our speakers are engaging storytellers and experts in their fields who excel at interacting with live audiences.

There are several phases to the speaker request process that NPR manages, including consultation with our ethics team, permissions from supervisors of invited staff, and scheduling with the staff themselves. Please note: These steps may take several weeks — or in some cases even longer — to complete, as there are many variables in play. Please plan accordingly.

We receive over 1,000 requests a year for NPR speakers. To help us process requests efficiently we ask that you submit as much information as possible through the Talent Request form. Once you have submitted the form you should immediately receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your request did not go through. Please contact nprspeakers@npr.org with any technical issues. Speaking requests will only be addressed when submitted through the form.

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Please see additional policy and ethics guidelines for all NPR journalists and pay special attention to the Independence Section. NPR also reserves the right to cancel a speaker due to the 24 hour news cycle but will work to find an appropriate replacement should the need arise.