In 2013, the budgetary and regulatory reform of Cohesion policy for 2014-20 was finally agreed following the most extensive process of reflection, consultation and analysis in the history of the policy. The cornerstones of the reformed policy are a more strategic use of the renamed European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), concentration of spending on the objectives of Europe 2020, improved performance and achievement of results, better governance, and more attention to urban and local development. However, as the recently published Sixth Cohesion Report makes clear, the new ESIF programmes face a difficult task, with increasing regional and urban disparities and cuts in government spending.Against this background, the Second EU Cohesion Policy Conference organised by the RSA and DG Regio, together with the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, aims to take stock of the challenges and opportunities for Cohesion policy in 2014-20. It will bring together a limited number of participants from academia, the European institutions and Member State authorities to debate where Cohesion policy is going and how its contribution to growth and jobs can be maximised.Papers are invited on the following questions and themes which will form the basis for workshop sessions, panel debates and discussion groups at the Conference.1.      Economic geography and Cohesion policy: how are the economic and social challenges for European Structural & Investment Funds changing?2.      Institutions and governance: what can Cohesion policy do to strengthen public administration and effective management of the Funds?3.     Performance and results: how can Cohesion policy resources be used most effectively and efficiently?4.     Instruments: what kind of Cohesion policy interventions make a difference?5.      EU economic governance and Cohesion policy: what are the implications of governance reforms for Cohesion policySubmission of papersPlease submit proposals for papers in the form of a 500-word abstract through the Regional Studies Association online portal by 31 October 2014.  Given the purpose and audience of the conference, the abstracts should demonstrate policy implications or lessons insofar as possible.Proposers will be notified of the selected papers by 30 November 2014, with the expectation of a full paper being submitted by 11 January 2015.