Instructions For Abstracts

Unite For Sight encourages you to submit an abstract for presentation at GH/Innovate 2011. The goal of the conference is to exchange ideas about best practices across all fields of global health, international development, and social entrepreneurship. Professionals and students are eligible to submit an abstract.

Abstract Categories:

The abstracts may be research-focused, clinical-focused, or program-focused. The abstract must describe work that is evidence-based, and the work should not be in the early implementation or brainstorming stage. Those in an early stage of development should instead submit an abstract for the Social Enterprise Pitch sessions.

You should not submit both an abstract and a social enterprise pitch. You should determine if your proposed submission discusses work that is in the early implementation or brainstorming stage without data or results (social enterprise pitch), or if your proposed submission includes data and results (abstract submission).

  1. Global Health
  2. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  3. International Development
  4. International Education
  5. NGOs and Community-Based Programs
  6. Scientific and Medical Laboratory-Based Research
  7. Clinical Research
  8. Advocacy and Health Policy

First Abstract Deadline: August 15, 2010

Presentations submitted by August 15 will be reviewed for the possibility of presenting a poster or oral presentation. Those submitting by this first deadline will be given preference for oral presentations at the conference.

Second Abstract Deadline: September 30, 2010

Presentations submitted by September 30 will be reviewed for the possibility of presenting a poster or oral presentation. The majority of the abstracts submitted by this second deadline will be considered for poster presentation, as most of the oral presentation slots are expected to be filled by those submitting by the first abstract deadline in August.

Instructions For Submitting Unite For Sight Conference Abstracts

Submit your abstract on the Conference Registration Page

  1. Abstracts must be no longer than 250 words. Longer abstracts will not be reviewed and will be automatically rejected.
  2. A 250-word (max) narrative biography is required at the time of the abstract submission. The bio should be a description of your educational and professional background. The bio must be submitted in paragraph form and should not be in list or curriculum vitae format.
  3. Submitting an abstract represents a commitment to attend GH/Innovate 2011 irrespective of acceptance of an abstract. Therefore, all persons submitting an abstract must register and submit payment to attend the conference at the time that they submit the abstract.
  4. An abstract will not be reviewed if the abstract submitter has not confirmed intent to attend the conference by registering and submitting payment to attend the conference.
  5. The abstract must be submitted at the same time as conference registration payment. Abstracts submitted separately will not be reviewed.
  6. If the abstract is selected for presentation at the conference, the author submitting the abstract must be the presenter at the conference. The presenter should be a leader in the research or program. Co-authors may register for the conference separately and attend the session, but they may not present.
    • If selected for oral presentation, only the abstract submitter may present at the conference and be listed in the program book.
    • If selected for poster presentation, the abstract submitter must be the presenter at the conference. Other authors on the poster may be listed in the conference program book.
  7. When you submit your abstract, please indicate your preferred method of presentation at the start of your 250-word abstract: Oral Presentation Preferred, Poster Presentation Preferred, No Preference.
  8. Applicants will be notified by e-mail whether their abstract was accepted by approximately November 15, 2010.
  9. The best abstract submissions will be given an option for oral presentation. All others that are accepted will be poster presentations at the poster session.

Abstract Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit an abstract?

Go to the Conference Registration Page and submit an abstract at the time that you register. At the time that you submit your registration form and payment to attend the conference, your abstract will be submitted to Unite For Sight for review. You must submit your abstract at the same time that you submit your conference registration payment.

Who is eligible to submit an abstract?

Anyone may submit an abstract. Abstract submitters range from students to professionals.

What is the word limit?

Abstracts must be no longer than 250 words. Longer abstracts will not be reviewed and will be automatically rejected.

I have a coauthor. Whose name should be used as the primary author?

The conference participant who will be in attendance and presenting the abstract must submit the abstract under their name. If both authors will be in attendance, then either of you may submit the abstract. The author submitting the abstract must be the presenter at the conference, and this author will also receive all communication from Unite For Sight. Co-authors may not present at the conference.

How do I indicate my preferred method of presentation?

When you submit your abstract, please indicate your preferred method of presentation at the start of your 250-word abstract:

If you do not indicate your preference at the time that you submit the abstract, it will be assumed that you have no preference.

What is the selection criteria?

Abstract submitters should ensure that their abstracts provide sufficient detail so that reviewers will be able to fully evaluate the author's work, research design, data, analysis, and results.

The abstract will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

What type of abstracts should be submitted?

We welcome abstracts pertaining to all fields relevant in global health, international development, and social entrepreneurship.

The abstracts may be research-focused, clinical-focused, or program-focused.

  1. Global Health
  2. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  3. International Development
  4. International Education
  5. NGOs and Community-Based Programs
  6. Scientific and Medical Laboratory-Based Research
  7. Clinical Research
  8. Advocacy and Health Policy

Why must I register to attend the conference at the time that I submit my abstract?

Submitting an abstract represents a commitment to attend GH/Innovate 2011 irrespective of acceptance of the abstract. Therefore, anyone who submits an abstract must register and submit payment to attend the conference. An abstract will not be reviewed if the abstract submitter has not confirmed intent to attend the conference by registering and submitting payment.

How do I know that my abstract was transmitted through the website?

Immediately upon submission of your registration, payment, and abstract, you will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your registration and payment. If you submitted an abstract on the registration form, your abstract will have also been received at the time that your registration and payment were received. If your registration and payment do not transmit properly, please review the page to be sure that you have filled in all of the required fields on the form.

Can I submit more than one abstract?

Each conference participant may submit only one abstract for presentation at the Unite For Sight Conference. If more than one abstract is submitted by the same conference participant, only the first abstract submitted will be considered.

I am a student. Am I eligible to submit an abstract?

Yes, we welcome abstract submissions from students. Abstracts submitted by students may be accepted for poster presentation, or for oral presentation in "Student Leaders in Global Health" sessions.

If my abstract is accepted for oral presentation, what are the next steps?

  1. The abstract author will be notified that their abstract has been reviewed and accepted for oral presentation.
  2. The author will be required to submit an oral presenter agreement and a final 1-paragraph narrative bio in order to confirm their intent to give an oral presentation at the conference.
  3. Accepted presenters must adhere to deadlines and guidelines, and they must promptly respond to communication.

If accepted for poster presentation, what are the next steps?

  1. The abstract author will be notified that their abstract has been reviewed and accepted for poster presentation.
  2. The author will be required to submit a poster presenter agreement in order to confirm their intent to give a poster presentation at the conference.
  3. The author will be required to purchase a 36"x48" trifold poster board (cost: $15) onto which the author will affix the poster at the conference in April.
  4. Accepted presenters must adhere to deadlines and guidelines, and they must promptly respond to communication.

Who should I contact if I have other questions?

If you have any questions, please email Laura Reynolds at lreynolds@uniteforsight.org

GH/Innovate Global Health & Innovation 2011 Conference