AMA Research Challenge (2024)

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

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.
• 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 resources

• Official rules (PDF)
• FAQs
• 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 [emailprotected] with questions.

Visit the winning posters page (members only) to review posters from past winners and find out what impressed the judges and tips on increasing your chances of submitting a winning entry.

Use these sample messages and images to promote the AMA Research Challenge call for abstracts.

• Download a flyer to share (PDF)
• Download the PowerPoint slide to feature in presentations (PPTX)

Sample promo for newsletters & more

Submit your research abstract. Winner gets $10k grand prize. Accepting abstracts to the AMA Research Challenge—the largest national, multi-specialty research event for medical students, residents and fellows. Submission is free for AMA members. Deadline is July 16.

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

Learn more or submit an abstract.

Promo graphics

• LinkedIn
• Facebook/Instagram

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.

2023 participating institutions

Find the list of participating institutions from across the U.S. that participated in the 2023 AMA Research Challenge

2020-2022 winners

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

• Research Challenge education sessions (members only)
• Research Challenge FAQs
• Research Challenge participating institutions
• Research Challenge winning posters (members only)
• Latest news on research, including how to get started, the latest trends and more.

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