Each year the FUTURE (formerly National Conference) poster competition gives attendees a venue to share innovative and effective educational programs and showcase unique community projects. This opportunity stimulates research among medical students and residents and encourages networking with those who share similar interests.
In 2025, 50 entries will be selected for display. Of those, the top 12 Research poster authors will be invited to give a brief oral presentation onsite for peer review.
The application submission process has closed.
June 3, 2025 – Notification to applicants
July 31–August 2, 2025 – FUTURE
Application Process
The application submission process has closed.
An abstract of the poster and an art file must accompany the application. The primary author must also submit a verification letter from their institution to validate their expected graduation date. See the Instructions for Submission section for details. Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified on June 3.
Eligibility Requirements
The submitter must be considered the primary author and must be the person to present onsite, if selected. They must also be:
- Eligible to attend FUTURE
- Willing to pay for and attend the conference
- Member in good standing of the American Academy of Family Physicians
Not a member? Join now. New or lapsed memberships may take one week to process. Please plan accordingly, as late applications will not be accepted.
Instructions for Submission
The application submission process has closed.
- Log in to the AAFP submission website.
Members may log in using their AAFP ID. Not a member? Join now. New or lapsed memberships may take one week to process. Please plan accordingly as late applications will not be accepted.
- Enter proposal information.
It is recommended you have all items listed below ready and in the required format before starting your online application. Required information and attachments include:
- Poster title
- Authors (up to four student and resident authors can be listed in official communications)
- Short abstract (not to exceed 200 words) See examples.
- Full abstract as an attached document (not to exceed five pages, excluding Reference page for Clinical Inquiry entries) See requirements.
- IRB approval/exemption as an attached document (required if project involves human subjects) Find out more about IRB. If you have any questions related to IRB, you must contact your institution, not the AAFP.
- FINAL version of poster as an attached document (PPT slide sized 48 inches x 36 inches) Please review the guidelines for important information on creating a successful poster, including how to ensure it is correctly sized for submission. You will not be allowed to submit an updated poster file after submission or acceptance.
- Signed verification letter for the submitter/primary author as an attached document (See example)
- A requirement that needs advance preparation is a verification letter from your institution validating your expected graduation date. You will be responsible for uploading the letter at the time of application. If it is submitted incomplete, your application will be classified as such and will not be considered. The letter must:
- Be submitted on letterhead of the medical school or residency program that you are attending
- Include your full name, medical school or residency program name, and expected graduation date
- Be signed and dated by the Dean of the medical school or the Registrar’s Office (if a student) or by the Program Director of the residency program (if a resident); must include the professional title of the signer and be dated between November 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025.
Full Abstract Requirements
Applicants must include all information outlined for each category below — five-page maximum, excluding the Reference page for Clinical Inquiry entries. Please bold each section header in your abstract for easier reading.
Research (See example)
- Project description
- Objectives/purpose
- Methodology
- Applicant’s role in project
- Results
- Conclusions/discussion
Clinical Inquiry (See example)
- Introduction
- Case description
- Discussion of practice guidelines
- Conclusions/discussion
- References (Reference page may be in addition to the five-page maximum)
Community Project and Educational Program (See example)
- Project/program description
- Objectives/purpose
- Methodology
- Applicant’s role in project/program
- Results
- Conclusions/discussion
Judging Criteria
Poster judging is a two-tier process.
1. First-Round Judging
- Applications will be peer reviewed and judged on the following criteria
- Relevance to family medicine
- Originality/innovative nature of project or question
- Project description/statement of purpose and goals
- Evidence-based nature of content
- Validity of conclusions
- Impact on future work
- Visual appeal
- Based on scores from first-round judging, 38 posters will be selected for display only.
- In addition, 12 posters from the Research category will be selected to present their poster onsite.
2. Onsite Poster Presentation (Research only)
- Onsite judging for the top 12 Research posters will be held on Friday, August 1. Authors will have three minutes to present their poster and will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Relevance to family medicine
- Design
- Display
- Presenter’s skills
- Primary author of the top 12 Research posters will be required to staff their display during select hours on August 1 at FUTURE.
Posters on Display
Posters will be printed by the AAFP and displayed on easels in a designated area at FUTURE. The top 12 Research poster authors will be invited to give a brief oral presentation onsite for peer review.
The 38 display-only poster authors will be invited to participate in an optional 45-minute staffing opportunity in the afternoon on Friday, August 1.