Requirements & tips to write a compelling abstract and make your research shine.

Research Day Submission Details 

1. Review the guidelines below. Note deadlines and adhere to all requirements.
2. Review Research Day Presenter Agreement.
3. Submit your abstract via submission portal found at the bottom of this page.
4. Register for the PAFP’s Spring CONNECT Weekend.

Important Dates & Deadlines

• Abstract submission deadline: January 26, 2026 
• Registration deadline for Research Day at CONNECT Conference: February 6, 2026
• Acceptance notices sent: February 27, 2026
• REturn Submission of oral presentation PPT slides: March 20, 2026
• Research Day event: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Cash Awards for Winning Oral Presentations

• Best Student Project ($300)
• Best Resident Project ($300)
• Best Physician/Faculty/Fellow Project ($300)
• Mark A. Connelly, MD, Award for Best Overall Research Project ($300)

Poster Presenter Details

• Printed posters may not exceed 3’ X 4’ (h x w) in size. Oversized posters will be disqualified. (Check your poster at the printer before bringing it to Research Day.)
• Prizes will be awarded for posters in the following categories:
  • Research Design
  • Case Study
  • Quality Improvement Project
  • Community Health Project
  • Innovative Curriculum Design

Oral Presenter Details

• Researchers who fail to meet published deadlines and guidelines will not be able to present.
• Oral presentations spots are limited, so the Research Day Planning Committee reviews submissions and selects only the strongest for presentation. Those oral presentation submissions not selected for the conference will be invited to present a poster instead. If you’re invited to present a poster, see above for poster presenter details.
• Oral presentations will run concurrently with the conference didactic sessions on Saturday. Oral presentations will be scheduled in 20-minute blocks: 15 minute presentation with a 5-minute Q&A.
• Oral presentations are eligible for $300 cash prizes for “Best in Category” and an additional $300 for “Best Overall Research Presentation.”

How to Build Your Best Abstract

• All submissions are made via the online abstract submission form for PAFP Research Day. When prompted, researchers will enter information related to their project. Complete all fields.
• All presenters must register for Research Day via PAFP’s annual Spring CONNECT Conference, for their projects to be considered for the event.
• The submission form for abstracts limits the length of each narrative section to 100 words. Make sure you’ve thoroughly edited and proofread your abstract prior to pasting it in the text boxes.

Before You Submit … Last-minute Tips

• Read all instructions and follow them.
• Style tips: Use complete, declarative sentences.
• Avoid jargon & acronyms
• Concise: limit 300 words total (see limits on form)
• Do not use all caps.
• Do not use bullet points
• Take care when composing your title. Be descriptive, clever, compelling.
• Select your words carefully – your invitation to present is based on this information!
• Make the case for your project – why is it important?
• Do some style research – read other abstracts.
• Use an active voice in present tense for the statement of the question (hypothesis) and conclusion.
• Proof your work, then ask someone else to proof it again.