Occupational Therapy

Summit of Scholars

2026 Call for Abstracts

Abstract submissions are now being accepted for research presentations, posters and works in progress. Research presentations and posters provide an opportunity for researchers to disseminate occupational therapy research, including ongoing and completed studies. Works in Progress (WIP) sessions are designed to provide researchers with current or planned research proposals with feedback to improve their submissions through collaborative and collegial discussion.

Deadline: February 1, 2026

Research Presentations

Faculty, non-academic researchers (e.g., embedded health systems researchers), and postdoctoral fellows are eligible to submit abstracts for research presentations. To be considered for a research presentation, the project must be supported by external funding (e.g., federal agencies, foundations). Preliminary findings are acceptable if noted as such. Accepted research paper abstracts will be organized into breakout sessions with 10-15 minutes for each presentation

Research Posters

Faculty, non-academic researchers (e.g., embedded health systems researchers), postdoctoral fellows, and research doctoral students (e.g., PhD, ScD, or equivalent) are eligible to submit abstracts for research posters. Research posters may feature studies that are supported by external funding (e.g., federal agencies, foundations) or internal funding (e.g., university pilot or student awards) or are unfunded. Accepted research posters will be presented on Friday, June 12.

Works in Progress

These sessions serve as an opportunity to receive feedback on the proposed work as opposed to a venue for dissemination of research findings, including preliminary results. Accepted WIP submissions will be grouped into breakout sessions during which presenters will provide an overview of their working proposals followed by feedback from assigned moderators and the audience. To get the most out of of the WIP session and feedback, we require accepted WIP presenters to submit am update and a specific aims page formatted for the targeted funding mechanism along with a list of discussion questions one month prior to the Summit. We expect all trainees to work with their mentor to develop the WIP submission and presentation. Further instructions will be provided upon acceptance. WIP submissions are welcomed from researchers across all career stages, including PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and non-academic researchers (e.g., embedded health systems researchers). Submissions that are not well aligned with the WIP format may be considered for research posters.

Research Presentation or Poster Abstract Instructions

The following structured abstract is limited to 400 words, not counting the title. The abstract will be uploaded into the submission form.

Title: Provide a concise and precise title (15 words or less)

Introduction: Briefly review the relevant literature.

Specific Aims and Hypothesis(es): Clearly describe the primary aim(s) of the study and the hypothesis being tested. If the study design is hypothesis generating or not hypothesis driven, state the purpose/goals of the study.

Methods: Concisely describe the research methods including: study design, sample/participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data collection/instrumentation, and analytic approach.

Results: Briefly describe the key findings of the study. Preliminary findings are acceptable but should be clearly presented as such.

Discussion: Discuss your research findings within the context of the previous work.

Conclusion: Include at least one sentence that conveys a clear statement of implications/relevance to policy, evidence-based practice, or understanding of occupation.
References: Provide up to three references. Does not count towards word count.

WIP Abstract Instructions

The following structured abstract is limited to 500 words, not counting the title. The abstract will be uploaded into the submission form.

Working Title: Provide a concise and precise title (15 words or less)

Specific Aims and Hypothesis(es): Describe the primary aim(s) of the study and the hypothesis being tested. If the study design is hypothesis generating or not hypothesis driven, state the purpose/goals of the study.

Significance: Briefly describe why your proposed research is important to your field, what knowledge gaps in the existing evidence base will be filled, and how findings will advance the science and impact practice.

Innovation: Explain how your proposed research is conceptually and/or technically innovative (e.g., novel perspective or hypothesis in existing research area; original investigation in new research area; new application of existing concept or method; novel approach in terms of study design, sample, measurement, statistical approach).

Approach: Concisely describe the research methods including: study design, sample/participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data collection/instrumentation, and analytic approach.

Preliminary Research (if applicable): Describe any pilot data, feasibility data, or other relevant research supporting your proposed project if available.

Future Directions/Impact/Outcomes: Discuss the anticipated impact of your work. This section may also include the proposed project’s alignment with funder priorities and/or your longer-term research agenda.

Submit for Research Presentations or Posters

Submit for Works in Progress

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