AMA Research Challenge call for abstracts

The AMA Research Challenge is the largest national, multi-specialty medical research conference for medical students and residents to showcase and present research.

Free for students and residents

Enter for the chance to showcase your research, include on your CV and win a $10,000 grand prize presented by Laurel Road.

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Call for abstracts has opened for the 2024 AMA Research Challenge. Abstracts will be accepted into one of six topics:

• Basic science                                         
• Clinical and translational research
• Clinical vignettes
• Health systems science
• Medical education
• Public health and health policy

The submission deadline is July 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Central.

Laurel Road is sponsoring the grand prize of $10,000 for the winner of the AMA Research Challenge. Laurel Road is not involved in the judging or scoring process to select the winner. Payment of the grand prize will be directly from Laurel Road. Read the official rules (PDF) for terms and conditions.

Steps to submit an abstract

• Review the official rules (PDF) and FAQs (PDF).
• Entrants must be the lead author and an AMA member to submit. Not a member? Join now.
• Complete one of the provided abstract templates.
• Only one submission per entrant can be considered.

Abstract submission documents

• Official rules (PDF)
• FAQs (PDF)
• Abstract topics and descriptions (PDF)
• Abstract template (DOCX)
• Abstract template—Clinical vignettes (DOCX)
• Abstract scoring criteria (PDF)

Abstract submission criteria

• The abstract must be submitted using an approved template. An abstract submitted without the approved template will not be considered.
• The abstract must be submitted without pictures, graphs or citations/references.
• The abstract must not exceed 400 words. The word count does not include the abstract title, page numbering or any ancillary entrant information.
• You must select one topic for your abstract submission: basic science, clinical and translational research, clinical vignettes, health systems science, medical education, or public health and health policy.
• Upload the abstract file as a PDF with the abstract title (or an abbreviated title) as the file name. Do not include any special characters or include author names in the file name.

Submit an abstract by July 16. Email [email protected] with questions.

Physicians are invited to review and score abstracts. Participation is virtual and a two-hour time commitment starting late July through mid-August. CME available.

Sign Up

Hear from a resident expert on what judges look for in an abstract.

• Read the transcript.

Learn key elements for building a digital poster and how to keep your audience engaged.

• Read the transcript

Poster symposium and semifinals

A virtual event for hundreds of medical students and residents to showcase their research on a variety of topics. Research abstracts with qualified scores will be featured in the poster symposium.

The semifinals will include research from the top scored abstracts and attendees will be invited to score posters. The five posters with the most points at the conclusion of the event will advance to a virtual finals event.

Event details and registration will be posted once available.

Finals

Five finalists advancing from the semifinals will present their research to a select panel of judges and compete to be the overall winner.

Event details and registration will be posted once available.

2023 winner

Jesse Kirkpatrick, a third-year medical student from Harvard School of Medicine, was the winner of the 2023 AMA Research Challenge and will be awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road. 

Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.

2020-2022 winners

Read about the AMA Research Challenge winners from 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Become a member & enjoy great benefits!

Join AMA Now

If you have any questions about the AMA Research Challenge, email [email protected].