Does your institution have an innovative program that you would like to share with others? Do you have a session idea that you would like to see featured on this year’s program? Are you conducting research on topics or questions relevant to the successful work of institutional animal care and use committees? 

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, we invite you to submit a proposal for the 2014 IACUC Conference. In order to be considered by the Planning Committee, all proposals must be received by Friday, October 11, 2013. 

Submission Types
Guidelines for Submission
Important Dates
Frequently Asked Questions 

Through our call for program contributions, we encourage three types of proposals:

1. Poster Abstract– If you conduct empirical research in the field of animal care and use, or have implemented a program to improve the functioning of your institution’s IACUC, we urge you to submit an abstract. Entries in this category will be considered for poster presentations. In addition, some authors may be invited to present a breakout session on their work. We will accept poster proposals for completed projects as well as for projects that are in progress but are not yet complete, with the understanding that the project will be finished by April 2014. Please note that first authorship on an accepted poster is eligible for up to five credit hours for CPIA recertification. Learn more.
2. Session Proposal– Individuals with experience and expertise on a particular topic that relates to animal care and use are invited to propose a breakout session for presentation at the conference.
3. Suggest a Topic or Speaker – Individuals interested in learning more about a specific topic, but who are not interested in presenting, are invited to propose a breakout session. Suggestions for conference speakers can also be made through this type of program contribution. 

Individuals who are interested in submitting one of these types of proposals may do using our Call for Program Contributions form. 

All proposals must be received using our online form by Friday, October 11, 2013. Depending on the proposal type the guidelines for submission vary slightly: 

1. Poster Abstract – Proposals in this category should describe novel or innovative approaches to the management, function, and operations of IACUCs, or address empirical studies related to animal care and use. Your proposal should describe your project in sufficient detail to allow reviewers and readers to understand what you did and what you learned, or, if the project is not yet complete, what you hypothesized and hope to learn. You will also be asked to provide an explanation of how your program was evaluated or your research methods as well as suggestions for future implementation or research.
   
   
2. Session Proposal – Proposals submitted in this category should be fully developed breakout session proposals. PRIM&R’s expectation is that individuals who choose to submit in this category will have the experience, knowledge, and background to present on their proposed topic. You will be asked to provide an overview of the proposal (including session focus, importance of such a session, and method of instruction), the type and level of the session being proposed, and three learning objectives.
   
   
3. Suggest a Topic and/or Speaker – Proposals submitted in this category should consist of a session idea and/or speaker suggestion. Session ideas should provide an overview of the proposal (including session topic, focus and importance of such a session) and level of the session being proposed. Submitters who contribute in this category may also propose speakers. 

• What is the purpose of the Call for Program Contributions?
• What is a poster and what is the purpose of the poster presentations?
• May I submit a proposal for a poster based on previously published material?
• Do I need to be a PRIM&R member to submit a proposal?
• How do I submit?
• Why is the deadline so early this year?
• Are there any length restrictions?
• May I enter more than one proposal?
• Are there any financial benefits for accepted proposals?
• Can I receive continuing education credit for submitting a topic via the Call for Program Contributions?
• When will I know if my proposal has been accepted?
• Are proposal authors required to register for the conference?

Q: What is a poster and what is the purpose of the poster presentations?
A: A poster is a visual presentation that combines text and graphics and that illustrates the processes, flow, and results of your project/research. A poster should clearly articulate what you did, how you did it, why you did it, and how the project contributes to the field of advancing ethical research. The goal of the poster presentations is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information, and practical strategies for managing the many challenges faced by animal care and use professionals. Exemplary proposals received in the Poster Abstract category will also be considered for presentation in a breakout session. 

Q: May I submit a proposal for a poster based on previously published material?
A: Yes, it is permissible to submit a proposal, and present a poster, drawn from previously published materials.

Q: Do I need to be a PRIM&R member to submit a proposal?
A: No. However, if you are interested in becoming a member, please review the plethora of benefits we offer and contact Megan Frame, membership coordinator, to get started. 

Q: How do I submit?
A: Review the guidelines and then submit the required information through our online submission form by Friday, October 11. Your proposal will undergo review, and we will notify you of your standing by Friday, December 13. 

Q: Why is the deadline so early this year?
A: In order to further integrate the poster program into the conference program, the deadline for submission for these proposals has been set significantly earlier than in years past. This will allow the Planning Committee time to review the content of the poster proposals alongside the breakout session proposals to identify areas of overlap and include exemplary poster presentations in the conference program when possible. In order to accommodate this change, poster proposals will be accepted for projects that have been started, but are not yet complete, with the understanding that the project will be complete by April 2014. If you have questions or concerns about this deadline, please contact Ali Hall, program planner, via emailor phone (617.423.4112, ext. 115). 

Q: Are there any length restrictions?
A: Please try to limit the proposal overview to 400 words. 

Q: May I enter more than one proposal?
A: Yes, you may! You must submit an individual online submission for each proposal. They will be reviewed independently. 

Q: Are there any financial benefits for accepted proposals?
A: PRIM&R is unable to waive conference registration fees or pay travel expenses for proposal authors. If proposal authors are selected as faculty for a breakout session, however, the associated proposal speaker will be eligible to register at a discounted rate. Please note poster presenters must organize and pay for all shipping arrangements for their poster materials.

Q: Can I receive continuing education credit for submitting a topic via the Call for Program Contributions?
A: first authorship on an accepted poster only is eligible for up to five credit hours for CPIA recertification. Learn more. No other continuing education credits are provide for submitting a poster abstract, session, and/or speaker suggestion.

Q: Are proposal authors required to register for the conference?
A: Proposal authors are not required to register for the conference. However, if a proposal is accepted for the conference as a poster, one representative is required to register for the conference in order to display the poster and, if applicable, participate in oral presentations. In addition, session proposal speakers who are invited and agree to participate as conference faculty will be required to register for the conference (again, at a discounted rate.)