AMA Research Challenge frequently asked questions

The AMA Research Challenge is the largest national, multi-specialty medical research conference for medical students, residents and international medical graduates to showcase and present research. Review the frequently asked questions about the competition, including who is eligible and the steps to submit an abstract.

You must submit via the AMA Research Challenge abstract submission site. The abstract submission site is external to the AMA website. To start your submission, click Log In in the top right corner and either log in to your account from previous participation (account credentials are different from your AMA website account), or create an account.

Once you are logged in, click Start submission. If you have any issues or do not receive a confirmation
email, please contact researchsymposium@ama-assn.org.

Yes. You must be a member of the AMA by the submission deadline, July 16, to submit an abstract for consideration. Please join or renew before you submit an abstract.

How can an IMG awaiting residency in the U.S. with an ECFMG certification join the AMA?

International medical graduates who are awaiting residency in the U.S. and are ECFMG certified may join
the AMA online.

1. Review the official rules and FAQs.
2. The abstract must be submitted using an approved template. Abstracts submitted without the approved template will not be considered.
3. The abstract must be submitted without pictures, graphs, or citations/references.
4. The abstract must not exceed 400 words. The word count does not include the abstract title, page numbering, or any ancillary entrant information.
5. You must select one of these topics for your abstract submission: basic science, clinical and translational research, clinical vignettes, health systems science, medical education, or public health and health policy.
6. Upload with the abstract title (or an abbreviated title) as the file name. Do not include any special characters or include author(s) names in the file name. Submit as a PDF.

The abstract submission deadline is July 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Abstract review and scoring begins at the end of July. Entrants will receive an email with an update on their abstract status on Sept. 8.

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Only one abstract per entrant can be considered. The appropriate abstract template must be used.

An entrant’s abstract must be submitted by either (1) the sole author or (2) the lead author with authorization by co-authors and owners of the research in order to submit the abstract.

Citations or references are not a necessity with the abstract. If your abstract is accepted for consideration, you may include citations or references with your poster.

Please download the abstract template specific for clinical vignettes. It is structured as: background,
case presentation, and discussion.

No. You may not submit an abstract if it has been published as of the submission deadline. However, you may submit an abstract if you have submitted it for consideration at another conference, will present it at another conference, or have already presented it at another conference.

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