Call for Session Proposals

ABRCMS 2024 Session Proposals are Now Open!

Important Dates

Session Proposals Open: Now
Session Proposals Close: July 10, 2024
Review Cycle: July-August 2024
Disposition Letters Sent: August 20, 2024
Speaker Confirmation & Release Form: September 5, 2024
Speaker Registration & Housing Deadline: September 20, 2024

Contact Us:
Tiffani Fonseca, Program Officer
202-942-9283
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The ABRCMS conference and programmatic goals are to:

Encourage students from the community college to graduate levels to pursue advanced training and careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Provide postdoctoral scientists, faculty mentors, advisors, and program leaders with resources for facilitating student success.
Engage, educate, inspire, and broaden participation in STEM education and careers to an interdisciplinary audience.
Provide a forum to explore the diverse spectrum of STEM research and connect attendees with experts in the field.
Articulate the importance of the research to a diverse audience.

ABRCMS programming is a compilation of committee-generated topics, solicited proposals, and attendee feedback. Diversity among the session leaders, panelists, topics, and varied perspectives are strongly favored, as this will ensure a stronger program. ABRCMS seeks to provide a balanced program that provides opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations that feature diverse speakers on a wide range of topics. Innovative sessions are strongly encouraged.

Note: Individuals who submit proposals that specifically promote organizations or institutions will not be considered through the regular proposal process, but instead will be referred to the ABRCMS Exhibits Programs to purchase a booth.

Review ABRCMS 2023 Sessions

Scientific Session Proposals

ABRCMS is soliciting cutting-edge scientific research proposals in all 12 Scientific disciplines for innovative and engaging STEM talks to inspire the next generation of scientists. ABRCMS encourages multidisciplinary research to make transformative discoveries.

Deadline to Submit: Wednesday, July 10, 11:59 p.m. PT.

Session Types

Expert Lecture (30 minutes): This lecture will be conducted by up to two (2) experts in a specific field, who have a breadth of knowledge to share conceptual innovations on emerging scientific concepts. The session will be limited to 25 minutes with 5 minutes for Q&A.
Flash Talk Format (15 minutes): This talk is limited to one scientific expert in the format of a TED-style talk. This will include a 10-minute enlightening message conducted by an expert in a specific STEM field to share high-level ideas and concise theories on emerging scientific concepts. The session will be limited to 10 minutes with 5 minutes for Q&A.

Requirements

The following information will be required in your proposal:

Session title (should be short and catchy to draw a crowd)
Description, to include up to three learning objectives (150 words or less)
Scientific discipline
Speaker(s)
Speaker diversity
Speaker bio (150 words or less)
Funding request

Review Criteria

Scientific session proposals will be rated on the following components:

Significance and overall impact: Topic should focus on one or more of the 12 scientific disciplines. Areas of unique research topics include are highly encouraged.
Audience: Topic should be appealing to all ABRCMS attendee types.
Speakers: Speakers should have expertise in the content area.

All session proposals will be reviewed by a Committee to ensure that they clearly articulate the goals, benefits, and outcomes of the session to attendees. Please note that poorly written proposals will be rejected.

How will my session be funded?

There are three (3) available options to select from during the submission process:

Sponsored Session, Affiliated Event, and/or Reception – The sponsoring organization/institution will provide ABRCMS with $5,000 and be recognized in the conference app and final program.
Funding by Speaker/Speaker's Institution – The speaker/speaker's institution will cover all expenses (e.g., registration, travel, and lodging) directly. Please note that ABRCMS will not be responsible for covering any expenses.
Requesting funding from ABRCMS – The submitter recommends ABRCMS to cover expenses (registration, travel and/or lodging) for one speaker. Please know that your request is not guaranteed but will be reviewed pending review and budget allowances. Ground transportation is not included.

May I submit more than one proposal?

Yes. You may submit more than one proposal, but there must be an individual submission for each proposal. Speakers of diverse backgrounds and institutions are strongly recommended. Each submission will be reviewed independently, and all the fields must be completed in each proposal.

How to Submit a Proposal

The deadline to submit is Wednesday, July 10, 11:59 p.m. PT.

Submit a Scientific Session Proposal

Professional Development Session Proposals

ABRCMS is soliciting Professional Development proposals to encourage students from the community college to graduate levels to pursue advanced training and careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and to promote professional and skillset development for students and non-students.

Sessions geared toward students must focus on advancing their educational and career development. Sessions geared toward postdoctoral scientists and non-students must focus on facilitating student success or helping to advance attendees' career growth.

Professional development sessions can be geared toward a general audience or specific groups, including:

Community college students
Undergraduate students
Postbaccalaureate students
Graduate students
Postdoctoral scientists
Faculty, Program Directors, and Exhibitors

All professional development sessions must add to the ongoing discussions of the larger conference themes and goals. Attendees should have actionable takeaways that will further their career development and skillset.

Deadline to Submit: Wednesday, July 10, 11:59 p.m. PT.

Session Type

Expert Lecture (45 minutes): This lecture will be conducted by up to two experts in a specific field, who have a breadth of knowledge to share conceptual innovations on trending professional development topics. The session will be limited to 35 minutes with 10 minutes for Q&A.
Interactive/Skill-Building Session (45 minutes): This session allows the speaker(s) to engage the audience in an invigorating discussion through active demonstrations such as role-playing and/or strategic games to increase the audiences’ conceptual knowledge on the content presented and how to employ such techniques and strategies, as they matriculate in the STEM field. The session will be limited to 35 minutes with 10 minutes for Q&A.
Panel Discussion (45 minutes): This discussion is designed for a diverse group of panelists to share their viewpoints and experiences on trending topics and to cultivate the audiences’ awareness of inclusive subject matters. The session will be limited to 35 minutes with 10 minutes for Q&A.
Workshop (up to 2 hours): Workshops allow facilitators to engage the audience via break-out groups to increase their knowledge through case-based learning and develop their understanding on how to employ such methodologies and strategies in the field of STEM. Workshops may proceed up to 2 hours, at the discretion of the ABRCMS programming team.
Sponsored Session: Sponsor a scientific and/or professional development session. The format and duration of sessions may vary. Types of formats include panel discussions, lectures or small group discussions. Sponsor is responsible for all other expenses.
Sponsored Affiliated Event/Reception: Sponsor an affiliated event or reception on Friday evening, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Please know that proposed affiliated events/receptions are not guaranteed, must be discussed with ABRCMS staff, and are subject to approval by ABRCMS.

Suggested Session Topics

Innovative topics and ideas are encouraged. Below is a list of suggested topics to address in your proposal, but not limited to:

Career pathways (i.e. industry, science policy, entrepreneurship, research, government, etc.)
Curriculum development (i.e. innovative pedagogy, CURE, SEA-PHAGES, engagement and retention of students in STEM, etc.)
Diversity, inclusion, and equity (i.e. cultural awareness, mentorship, accessibility, unconscious and implicit bias, reducing prejudice, strategies for increasing diversity in higher education, disabilities, neurodiversity, socio-economic sensitivity, etc.)
Enhancing skills (i.e. job search strategies, time management, self-advocacy, problem solving and strategic thinking, etc.)
Evaluation and assessment (i.e. best practices, tools for evaluating program effectiveness, analyzing evaluation findings in STEM activities, etc.)
Graduate school preparation (i.e. finding funding, preparing personal statements, interviewing, graduate school experience, work-school-life balance, etc.)
Mentoring (i.e. utilizing mentoring as a personal development strategy, navigating mentoring relationships, selecting a good mentor, etc.)
Social constructivism (i.e. scientific learning influenced by social constraints, processes of belief structures, etc.)
Teaching strategies (i.e. creating an inclusive classroom, evidence-based teaching, case-based learning, etc.)
Other (i.e. ethics, applying for grants, and etc.)