Everything you need to know while registration is open for Call-on Congress 2027, including what’s new this year with the Global Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (GEOCRC) Think Tank Global Collaborative.
About Call-on Congress 2027
What is Call-on Congress?
Call-on Congress is Fight CRC’s signature annual federal advocacy event, where advocates from across the country travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress and push for policies that support colorectal cancer research, screening, and care.
When and where is Call-on Congress 2027?
Call-on Congress 2027 runs February 28 – March 2, 2027, at the Hilton National Landing in Arlington, VA.
What’s new this year?
Seats are limited at Call-on Congress 2027, so we’ve added a new application process this year. Applications are first-come, first-served within each state, so apply early to guarantee your spot.
The Global Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (GEOCRC) Think Tank Global Collaborative is also happening at the same time, a separate event that brings together global research leadership. You’ll hear directly from Think Tank participants at Call-on Congress and see how their research connects to the policy asks you’ll bring to the Hill.
What is the GEOCRC Think Tank Global Collaborative, and why does it matter to me as an advocate?
The GEOCRC Think Tank Global Collaborative brings together researchers, clinicians, and advocates from around the world to align global partners in the fight against early-onset colorectal cancer. Together, this international community is building the evidence base needed to understand and reverse the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in younger adults worldwide. As an advocate, you’ll see how the research priorities you’re asking Congress to fund connect to a larger, global research effort, giving your Hill meetings a stronger, evidence-backed story to tell.
Registration & Eligibility
Who can register?
Any colorectal cancer advocate is welcome to apply. Because space is limited, registration is a structured first-come, first-served application. Applications open on October 1 and close on November 18.
Is there a cap on attendance?
Yes. Call-on Congress 2027 is capped at 175 attendees. Registration includes state-level caps so we can guarantee advocate voices from across the country are represented on the Hill.
Why is there a cap, and why do states have limits?
The cap and state limits help us guarantee a full room of advocates from as many states and districts as possible, rather than an uneven mix. If your state has reached its cap, you’ll go on the waitlist and will be notified if a spot opens up or if extra spots in your state become available due to lower applicant numbers in other states. While you wait, we will also help you find another way to take action in your own community (see “What if I can’t attend in person?” below).
Spots can open up as the process moves along, so if your state is full and you end up on the waitlist, don’t count yourself out. Stay tuned; we’ll notify you if a spot becomes available.
When does registration open and close?
Registration opens October 1st and closes November 18th. We recommend applying early to make sure you get a spot at Call-on Congress.
How do I apply?
More info on application coming soon. Stay tuned!
Is there a cost to apply and register?
There is no cost to apply to attend Call-on Congress but applicants who are selected will be required to pay a $100 registration fee to complete the registration process. This fee helps support meals, programming, and transportation to Capitol Hill from the hotel on March 2nd.
Will I know if I got in before I have to make travel plans?
Yes, all applicants will be notified whether they are on the registration list or waitlist by December 1st. We recommend waiting to create traveling plans until after this point.
Where will I stay at Call-on Congress?
A room block will be available for attendees to book at the Hilton National Landing in Arlington, VA at a rate of $199 per night.
Scholarships & Financial Support
Is financial support available?
Yes. Fight CRC offers a limited number of scholarships to help cover travel and attendance costs. Scholarships are meant to open the door for advocates who can’t otherwise attend, so don’t let cost hold you back from applying. Previous Fight CRC scholarship recipients are eligible to apply again.
When will I hear back about a scholarship?
Scholarship decisions will be shared on December 1, at the same time as application acceptance notifications. If you’re accepted, you’ll receive your scholarship information along with your acceptance, so you’ll have everything you need to make your travel plans with confidence.
What does a scholarship cover?
Scholarships are awarded based on need and availability, and can include any combination of the following:
- Reduced registration: $25
- Hotel: 2 nights covered at the event hotel
- Travel stipend: up to $500
Scholarships will not include all three. If you’re awarded a scholarship, your notification will explain exactly what is covered.
Can’t Attend in Person?
What if I can’t travel to D.C.?
Don’t let distance stop you. This year we’re offering a community-based virtual advocacy option for advocates who can’t make it to D.C. in person, and it’s just as powerful. Request a meeting with your Members of Congress at their local district office, or connect virtually, and bring the same passion, the same story, and the same impact right to your own community.
Below is more on how to get involved from home.
How can I advocate from home?
Call-on Congress is powerful, but it’s not the only way to make your voice heard. March From Home lets you take the same kind of action from wherever you are.
Here’s how it works: March From Home kicks off in January, carries through our March Awareness push, and carries through the spring. You can send your story to the Hill, request a governor’s proclamation, get a flag kit, sign up EARLY as a Prevention Champion, or book a meeting with your member of Congress at their local district office.
Stay tuned for more information on how to participate in March from Home!
Preparing to Attend
Do I need experience to attend?
No. Call-on Congress welcomes both first-time and returning advocates. We offer advocacy workshops in January and February to help you prepare, covering the CRC policy priorities, how to tell your story effectively, and what to expect from a Hill meeting. All advocates will also be assigned a Regional Leader as a mentor before Call-on Congress. Fight CRC Regional Leaders are experienced advocates who can help prepare all Call-on Congress attendees to advocate in Washington DC in March, and back home in their communities for the rest of the year.
What should I do after Call-on Congress ends?
Watch for a post-event debrief and follow-up guide. We’re introducing a structured follow-up process this year to help you track responses from the offices you met with and stay engaged with your Members of Congress long after you leave DC.
But the work doesn’t stop at follow-up emails. Your Hill Day meetings are the start of a relationship, not the end of one. Here are a few ways to keep the momentum going:
- Follow up with your offices. Send a thank-you, share any resources you promised, and keep track of commitments made so you can hold them accountable.
- Bring the ask home. Invite your Member of Congress to a local event, host a district meeting, or plan a community event that keeps CRC advocacy visible in your area.
- Start planning for August recess. Members are back in their districts over the summer, which means it’s prime time for district meetings, town halls, and local events. Start thinking now about how you’ll show up when they’re home.
- Stay plugged in. Join our Community of Champions, connect with your Regional Leader, and watch for opportunities to take action throughout the year.
- Tell your story again. One meeting is powerful, but a Member of Congress hearing from you (and others) again and again is what actually moves the needle.
Call-on Congress is a launchpad, not a finish line. Year-round advocacy is what turns a good meeting into real change.
Key Dates
| October 1 | Registration applications open. Scholarship applications open. |
| November 18, 2026 | Registration and scholarship applications close. |
| December 1, 2026 | Admission notifications sent. Admitted advocates must confirm their spot by January 4. |
| January 4, 2027 | Unconfirmed spots released to the waitlist. |
| February 28, 2027 | Resource Expo/Mix and Mingle |
| March 1, 2027 | Call-on Congress Training Day |
| March 2, 2027 | Call-on Congress Hill Day & Celebration Dinner |