Present your research. Boost your CV. Win prizes.
The 31st annual AMSA Poster Session is where you can showcase your passion for advancing the art and science of medicine in specific areas that matter to you. We welcome completed projects or research in progress! Present your research project to a VIP panel of experts and leaders at Future Physicians for Change. At the Poster Session, you can promote your work, hone your public speaking skills, network with influencers, and boost your CV. (Oh, and win prizes if you nail it!)
Poster Abstract Submission Deadlines
- Round 1: Abstracts received by June 30, 2026
- Round 2: Abstracts received between July 1 and August 31, 2026
- Late submissions will be considered if received between September 1 and October 1, 2026, if space remains available. (See other important details about late submissions below.)
Notification: All submissions will be reviewed and individuals will be notified if they are selected to be included in this year’s session by July 15 for the first round of submissions, by September 15 for the second round, and by October 7 for late submissions.
Discount: Poster Session presenters who submitted during Round 1 or Round 2 receive a discounted registration for Future Physicians for Change. If your abstract is accepted, you will be offered a discount for registration. You must register at least one author as a presenter for the poster by October 10, 2026.
Late submission period: No discount is offered for late submissions.
Categories for submission
You can submit an abstract in any of the following categories — these are the categories for judging and awards.
- Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research
- Community Engagement and Public Health Impact
- Health Policy, Advocacy, and Justice
- Medical Education and Curriculum Innovation
- Organizational and Chapter Initiatives
- Reproductive Justice and Abortion Advocacy
Details and examples of categories can be found below (jump to category details).
Abstract submission
Only one abstract may be submitted per author.
Abstracts should be no longer than 350 – 400 words and follow a standard format:
- Background/Vision
- Methods/Process/Action
- Results/Impact
- Conclusions/Connections/Meanings
Ethical considerations for subjects should be mentioned, if applicable.
No charts, graphs, special characters, or formatting will be possible using the online abstract submission form. You must write your abstract in text paragraphs to avoid formatting errors online. Email submissions will not be accepted or reviewed.
For those submitting Chapter Activities posters, please submit a 350 – 400 word abstract explaining the overall endeavors and successes of your chapter. For those submitting a case report, please submit a 350-400 word abstract explaining a case introduction, patient presentation and disease course, intervention and management, and outcome and discussion. Case reports will be considered on a limited basis according to the rarity or unusual nature of the case.
Selection process
Reviews of abstracts for acceptance are overseen by a selection committee as appropriate. These abstracts are not being considered for publication, only for presentation at AMSA’s Convention and Exposition. Acceptances are issued on a rolling basis, but are competitive due to limited availability of presentation space. For questions, contact events@amsa.org.
If accepted, posters may be presented in teams or individually by one of the authors. All individuals who present must be registered for Future Physicians for Change.
Abstract and poster judging
Prior to the poster session at convention, accepted abstracts will be reviewed by a panel of judges and ranked in their respective project category. Projects will then be further evaluated by judges during the convention. Due to the number of posters exhibited, not every author will be able to present to a judge; however, all posters will be evaluated on site by the members of the judging panel.
Awards
All poster presenters who present in-person at the Poster Session will receive a digital certificate recognizing their presentation.
Each category of submission will have an overall winner, and judges may also recognize posters with cross-category awards. In addition, the “People’s Choice” awards will be voted on by in-person attendees. Award winners will receive a certificate and cash prize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical students and premedical students can submit abstracts during the submission process.
In order to be eligible to present a poster at Future Physicians for Change, at least one author must be registered and attend in-person to present. Posters may also be presented in teams. All individuals who present must be registered for Future Physicians for Change.
- Individuals can only be the presenting author for one project – so no one person can submit two abstracts.
- There is no limit to how many co-authors can be listed for an abstract, but at least one of them needs to be present at the poster session and only one can be listed as the “presenting author.” (It’s simplest if this is the person who submits the abstract.)
- If a poster session winner is announced with multiple co-authors who are present at the conference, only the presenting author who submitted the abstract will called to the stage and given any prize money (which that author may split among other authors as they see fit).
- All co-authors will be listed in the poster session abstract booklet if the poster is presented in-person at the conference.
No, we welcome posters reflecting not only completed projects, but also projects at any stage of the design and implementation process. AMSA values the process and effort towards research, and acknowledges the value in this learning experience.
For projects that are complete, you must be able to include data and results, and conclusions. Because negative findings are under-reported in research, we encourage you to submit abstracts for projects which have yielded negative findings. For projects that are in process (not complete), you must be able to present a coherent and compelling vision, strategic priorities, and intended outcomes. Please note that “coherent and compelling” does not necessarily mean “fully fleshed out.” We invite you to submit abstracts for projects which might become more fully formed through the feedback from professional colleagues and peers.
Posters must be presented in-person at Future Physicians for Change in metro D.C. this December 10-12, 2026. The Poster Session itself is held Friday evening (December 11).
Individual posters must be no larger than 40 inches (102 cm) x 40 inches (102 cm). We suggest a poster size of 40 inches (102 cm) wide by 30 inches (77 cm) high.
All poster session participants are expected to make their own arrangements to bring their posters or to print nearby. Unfortunately, the AMSA National Office will not be accepting any poster shipments and cannot return posters left behind at the event.
Get started!
If you are ready to submit, use the button below. (Aren’t an AMSA member or don’t have an AMSA User Portal account already? You can start here instead.) Once you are logged in to the AMSA User Portal, just follow the link to “access the Poster Session abstract portal.”
Category details
1. Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research
This category is intended for scientific investigations that advance understanding of disease, diagnosis, and treatment across the continuum from laboratory discovery to patient care. Submissions should be grounded in structured methodology and data-driven analysis, with clear relevance to clinical or biological questions.
Examples:
- Mechanistic or molecular laboratory studies
- Translational research linking bench findings to clinical application
- Clinical trials or observational studies
- Epidemiologic analyses of disease patterns or outcomes
- Diagnostic or biomarker development studies
2. Community Engagement and Public Health Impact
This category highlights work that engages directly with communities to improve health outcomes and address public health challenges. Submissions should emphasize implementation and measurable real-world impact.
Examples:
- Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
- Public health interventions or outreach programs
- Program evaluation studies
- Global health initiatives or partnerships
- Projects addressing social determinants of health
- Projects related to social justice or human rights
3. Health Policy, Advocacy, and Justice
This category focuses on scholarship that examines and seeks to influence the systems, policies, and structures that shape healthcare delivery and outcomes. Submissions should engage with policy, advocacy, or broader questions of justice and equity in medicine.
Examples:
- Health policy analysis or legislative evaluation
- Advocacy initiatives with measurable impact
- Studies addressing structural inequities in healthcare
- Health systems reform efforts
- Ethical or legal analyses related to healthcare practice
4. Medical Education and Curriculum Innovation
This category includes projects that explore how medical knowledge is taught, learned, and experienced within training environments. Submissions may focus on educational design, innovation, and outcomes.
Examples:
- Curriculum development or reform initiatives
- Educational interventions with learner outcome data
- Simulation-based or technology-enhanced learning tools
- Mentorship or professional development programs
- Studies on wellness, burnout, or equity in training
5. Organizational and Chapter Initiatives
This category is designed for projects originating within AMSA chapters or similar organizations that focus on leadership, programming, and institutional impact. These submissions emphasize implementation and outcomes.
Examples:
- Chapter-led initiatives with measurable outcomes
- Organizational programs addressing student or community needs
- Advocacy campaigns or institutional partnerships
- Leadership development or engagement models
- Program implementation and evaluation within AMSA chapters
6. Reproductive Justice and Abortion-related projects
These projects focus on issues related to abortion care (including access, coverage, or direct provision), reproductive health research, sexual/reproductive health (SRH) education and training experiences, Reproductive Justice advocacy, etc. and must have a U.S. focus or context.
Examples:
- Studies on access to abortion or reproductive healthcare services
- Policy analysis related to reproductive rights
- Community interventions addressing reproductive health disparities
- Advocacy or educational initiatives focused on reproductive justice
- Ethical or legal analyses of reproductive healthcare systems