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

Free for medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduate AMA members

The 2023 AMA Research Challenge call for medical research abstract submissions is now open. Abstracts will be considered 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 11, 2023 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 abstract 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 may be considered.

Supporting documents

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

Email [email protected] with any questions.

The AMA Research Challenge invites physician volunteers to virtually judge abstract submissions from medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates. Participation is a 2-hour time commitment, starting late July through mid-August.

AMA Research Challenge poster symposium and semifinals registration will open in September.

Five finalists presented their research at the Dec. 7, 2022 finals. Leelabati Biswas, a MD/PhD Candidate from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was the winner of the 2022 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, sponsored by Laurel Road.

• Poster: Decoding Pregnancy Loss: Validating a Novel Genetic Biomarker of Poor Egg Quality (PDF)
• School: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Making the Rounds podcast: Listen to the interview and read the transcript

Watch the five finalists present their research and compete to win.

How to prepare an abstract

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

• Read the transcript.

How to prepare and present a virtual research poster

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

• Read the transcript

Visit the AMA Research Challenge past winners' page for the list of previous winners.

The AMA Research Advisory Committee encourages medical students, trainees and physicians of all backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities at every level, to participate in the events. The committee, as well as the AMA organization, are committed to prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion.

As the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care and a leading national voice on health policy, the AMA has placed equity at the center of its work to shape the future of medicine.