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. This virtual event brings together over 1,000 participants from hundreds of medical schools and health care institutions in the U.S. to showcase their work for a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize.
Submit an abstract
The call for abstracts is now open for the 2026 AMA Research Challenge! The submission deadline is July 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central.
Submit an abstract to:
- Showcase your research for a chance to win $10,000, presented by KeyBank
- Gain research and presentation skills to enhance your CV
- Discover what judges look for in a poster and presentation
Abstracts will be considered in various topics including:
- Basic science
- Clinical and translational research
- Clinical vignettes
- Health systems science
- Medical education
- Public health and health policy
Abstract submission resources
- 2026 official rules (PDF)
- 2026 participant FAQs (PDF)
- Abstract topics and descriptions (PDF)
- Abstract template (DOCX)
- Abstract template—Clinical vignettes (DOCX)
- Abstract scoring criteria (PDF)
Abstract submission criteria
- AMA member exclusive benefit—join or renew by the submission deadline for your abstract to be considered.
- 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.
- The abstract must be the lead author’s original work and not published elsewhere as of the submission deadline.
Visit the winning posters page (members only) to review a medical poster example from past winners and find out what impressed the judges and tips on increasing your chances of submitting a winning entry.
Email [email protected] for any questions.
$10,000 grand prize
KeyBank is sponsoring the grand prize of $10,000 for the winner of the AMA Research Challenge. KeyBank is not involved in the judging or scoring process to select the winner. Payment of the grand prize will be directly from KeyBank. Read the official rules (PDF) for terms and conditions.
Sign up to judge abstracts
- 2025 by the numbers
-
- Previous AMA Research Challenge winners
2025 winner
Addison Shenk, a fourth-year medical student from Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the winner of the 2025 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.
2024 winner
Ayush Kumar, a third-year medical student from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, was the winner of the 2024 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.
2023 winner
Jesse Kirkpatrick, a third-year medical student from Harvard School of Medicine, was the winner of the 2023 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.
2022 winner
Leelabati Biswas, an MD/PhD candidate at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was the winner of the 2022 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.
2021 winner
Marielisa Cabrera-Sánchez, a student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, was the winner of the 2021 AMA Research Challenge and was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
Watch the video and learn more about the finalists.
2020 winners
Victoria Danan, a medical student at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Shamsh Shaikh, a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), were the winners of the 2020 AMA Research Challenge and were awarded the grand prize of $10,000, presented by Laurel Road.
- Key dates
Call for abstracts: The 2026 AMA Research Challenge submissions are due July 16, 2026
Poster Symposium and semifinals acceptance notification: By early September 2026
Virtual Poster Symposium and semifinals: Mid-October 2026
Finals: TBA
- Additional Research Challenge resources
- Ed Hub®: AMA Research Education Series (members only)
- Research Challenge FAQs
- Research Challenge by the numbers
- Research Challenge winning posters (members only)
- How to get started in research
- Latest news on research, the latest trends and more.
If you have any questions about the AMA Research Challenge, email [email protected].
How to prepare an abstract
Hear from a resident expert on what judges look for in an abstract.
How to prepare and present a virtual research poster for medical conference
Learn key elements for building a digital poster and how to keep your audience engaged.
