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

In 2020, the AMA hosted its first virtual research event (formerly known as AMA Research Symposium) and received a record number of abstract submissions and participants.

This year's 2021 challenge includes a series of virtual events and activities for AMA members. The challenge kicks off with a call for abstracts in May, followed by the poster session and semifinals Oct. 21-23, and the finals on Dec. 8.

The AMA is pleased to announce a grand prize of $10,000, sponsored by Laurel Road, for the winner of the AMA Research Challenge. Laurel Road is not involved in the judging or voting process to select the winner. Payment of the grand prize will be directly from Laurel Road. See the official rules for terms and conditions.

Free for AMA member medical students, residents and fellows, and IMGs

Abstracts should focus on six topic areas—basic science, clinical and transitional research, clinical vignettes, health systems science, medical education innovation, public health and health policy. Submit your abstracts on vaccines, health equity, telemedicine and more. Hundreds of abstracts will be accepted to the virtual poster session. Top scored will be invited to the virtual semifinals.

AMA Research Challenge documents

• Official revised rules (PDF)
• FAQs (PDF)
• Abstract topics and descriptions (PDF)
• Abstract scoring criteria (PDF)

The July 27 submission deadline has passed. Email [email protected] with questions.

Hear from a resident expert on what judges look for in an abstract. Watch the video and read the transcript.

The deadline to sign up to judge abstracts has passed. Email [email protected] with questions. Evaluating and scoring abstracts is a 2-hour time commitment between Thursday, July 29 and Thursday, Aug. 19.

Abstract judging is eligible for CME

• Each abstract review is eligible for 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. The American Medical Association designates this other (learning while judging) activity for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
• Accreditation statement.
• Disclosure statement: Unless noted, all individuals in control of content reported no relevant financial relationships.
  If applicable, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
• MOC statement: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:
  • 7.50 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
  • 7.50 Self-Assessment points in the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s (ABOHNS) Continuing Certification program
  • 7.50 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
  • 7.50 Lifelong Learning points in the American Board of Pathology’s (ABPath) Continuing Certification program

It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

Oct. 21-23

AMA members are invited to attend the free virtual AMA Research Challenge poster session and semifinals, and vote for their favorite research. The top five vote-getters will advance to the finals.

Additional information about accessing the poster session and voting will be posted once available.

Dec. 8

Five finalists advancing from the semifinals will present their research to a select panel of judges and compete to be the overall winner.

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.

Victoria Danan and Shamsh Shaikh were announced the night of Jan. 13 as co-winners of the first AMA Research Challenge.

Victoria Danan

• Poster: Winning the Ventilator Lottery: A comparison of five scarce resource allocation protocols in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF)
• School: Charles E. Schmidt COM at Florida Atlantic University

Read more about this finalist

Shamsh Shaikh

• Poster: The Effect of Pod-based Electronic Cigarettes (“JUUL”) on Endothelial Phenotype: Preliminary Results (PDF)
• School: Boston University SOM

Read more about this finalist