2022 Call for Proposals
The ACRM 2022 Call for Proposals is CLOSED.
THANK YOU to ALL who submitted proposals.
The 2023 Call for Proposals OPENS SOON >>
ACRM Annual Conference
We are back to IN-PERSON in the top-rated city of CHICAGO
Progress in Rehabilitation Research
Translation to Clinical Practice (#ACRM2022)
CORE CONFERENCE: 8 – 11 NOV 2022
(Plenaries, hundreds of educational sessions, papers, posters, ACRM Community Meetings, receptions, Lecture Luncheons, ACRM EXPO & Learning Center)
PRE-CONFERENCE: 6 – 8 NOV 2022
(Dozens of Instructional Courses, Cognitive Rehabilitation Training, Early Career Development Course)
Call for Proposals Brochure
Take the Call for Proposals information with you
Deadlines
- Instructional Courses:
22 AprilCLOSED
Instructional courses may be proposed for a four-hour or eight-hour time block, allowing presenters the opportunity to discuss and present a topic in depth. Courses should be either instructional in nature, offering in-depth training or knowledge translation on a particular topic; or informative, providing detailed coverage of an area of research, methodology, or clinical practice. - Symposia:
22 AprilEXTENDED CLOSED
Symposia are 75 minutes in length, presented by professionals with expertise in the topic. - Scientific Posters and Papers:
12 AprilCLOSED A scientific paper is a moderated oral presentation of 18 minutes including questions and discussion. Posters are graphic presentations of a scientific paper. - LaunchPad: CLOSED LaunchPad is an annual competition created to highlight innovative rehabilitation technologies developed by non-profit research and engineering labs and startup companies. The competition is held at ACRM’s annual conference each fall. Pitch your company or idea to a panel of rehab industry experts and an audience of clinicians, researchers, engineers, and decision-makers to receive market feedback and win prizes. Learn More >>
Presentation Types
1) Pre-Conference Instructional Courses
Instructional Course Proposals Deadline: 22 April 2022 CLOSED
Instructional courses may be proposed for a four-hour or eight-hour time block, allowing presenters the opportunity to discuss and present a topic in depth. Courses should be either instructional in nature, offering in-depth training or knowledge translation on a particular topic; or informative, providing detailed coverage of an area of research, methodology, or clinical practice. Courses will be scheduled as pre-conference sessions on 6, 7, or 8 November 2022 depending upon the length and level of interest in the topic. Instructional courses typically average about 18 attendees each, providing the opportunity for small-group interaction and hands-on activities.
The proposal should include a course title, course director/lead presenter, all presenters with credentials and affiliations, detailed course outline, and duration. The submission must describe the instructional method to be used, and the content and format of presentations. It should also identify the intended audience (i.e., researchers, clinicians, administrators). A concise and descriptive summary of the course is also required for marketing purposes.
There must be multiple presenters identified. All presenters must furnish necessary disclosure information concerning potential conflicts of interest and must agree to have the course audio or video-recorded for future re-broadcast. Presenters will not be paid a stipend or honorarium. All presentations must be submitted for review prior to the conference.
Selection Criteria
Each complete submission received by the published due date will be independently peer-reviewed. Each proposal is peer-reviewed for the following elements: (1) scientific, clinical, or didactic quality; (2) interdisciplinary nature; (3) broad appeal to the ACRM membership; (4) timeliness of the topic; (5) and contribution to the state-of-the-art of rehabilitation science. The conference Program Committee reserves the right to offer alternative or reduced time slots for presentations based on submissions. Acceptance/decline notifications are due to Instructional Course submitters by mid-March.31
2) Symposia
Symposia Proposals Deadline: Symposia: 22 April CLOSED
Symposia are 75 minutes in length, presented by professionals with expertise in the topic. There is a mandatory period of 10 minutes for questions and discussion, and more time may be allotted. Symposia will be scheduled for presentation 7-10 November. Desired symposia submissions:
- Show how current research can effectively guide clinical practice.
- Identify clinical questions where additional research data are needed.
- State a direct relationship between the subject matter and evidence-based practice.
- The following components are encouraged: interdisciplinary content, presenters from multiple institutions, international presenters, and a point/counterpoint format, as appropriate, for the discussion period.
- There must be more than one presenter identified. All presenters must furnish necessary disclosure information concerning potential conflicts of interest and must agree to have the course audio or video-recorded for future re-broadcast. Presenters will not be paid a stipend or honorarium. All presentations must be submitted for review prior to the conference.
Selection Criteria
Each complete submission received by the published due date will be independently peer-reviewed. Each proposal is peer-reviewed for the following elements:
1. Scientific, clinical, or didactic quality
2. Interdisciplinary nature
3. Broad appeal to the ACRM membership
4. Timeliness of the topic
5. Contribution to the state-of-the-art of rehabilitation science
The conference Program Committee reserves the right to offer an alternative or reduced time slot for presentations based on submissions.
3) Scientific Poster and Papers
Scientific Posters and Papers: 12 April CLOSED
A scientific paper is a moderated oral presentation of 17 minutes including questions and discussion. Outstanding submissions may be chosen for a longer presentation. AV equipment may be used to supplement the presentation.
Posters are graphic presentations of a scientific paper. Submissions must include objectives, hypotheses, methodology, and results in the abstract (see Submission Guidelines below). Submissions with pending results are not accepted.
Submission Guidelines
A 275-word abstract must follow one of the two structured abstract formats required for submission of general articles to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. See the Instructions for Structured Abstracts.
Structured abstracts for Scientific Poster and Papers must have these sections:
- Research Objective(s)
- Design
- Setting
- Participants (animals or cadavers or specimens, for orthotics only)
- Interventions
- Main Outcome Measure(s)
- Results
- Conclusions
- Author(s) Disclosures
Systematic/Meta-analytic Reviews must have these sections:
- Research Objective(s)
- Data Sources
- Study Selection
- Data Extraction
- Data Synthesis
- Conclusions
- Author(s) Disclosures
The total length of all sections in the submission must not exceed 275 words. Tables or other graphics are not permitted. Submission must include three to five continuing education learning objectives. This is required whether the abstract is eventually selected for CE/CME or not.
Submission must indicate all participants in the abstract, listing the lead investigator first, followed by all other participants in the order in which they should appear in print. The submitter has the ability to complete all information for each participant, though we recommend that participants log in to the system to complete the information themselves.
Selection Criteria
Each complete submission received by the published due date will be independently peer-reviewed. There should be no more than ONE presenter identified for Scientific Poster and Papers.
Each abstract will be reviewed for the following elements:
1. Scientific and clinical quality
2. Broad appeal to the interests of the ACRM membership
3. Interdisciplinary nature
4. Timeliness of the topic
5. Contribution to the state-of-the-art of rehabilitation science.
Abstract Publication & Poster Awards
All abstracts of accepted papers and posters will be published in the online pages of the ACRM journal, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, November issue, where they will be fully searchable and citable. Archives is the most-cited journal in rehabilitation.
Accepted posters will have the opportunity to be considered for the ACRM Poster Awards. Further, a subset of the poster award winners will have the opportunity to present their poster in a Poster Grand Round session.
All this is done in the ACRM Searchable Online Program & the ACRM App
- Attendees can dive into your poster from ANYWHERE in the world with an internet connection (even the International Space Station)
- Attendees can find YOUR poster more easily — searchable by keywords, focus area/track
- Attendees can dive into your poster details with zoom in/out feature
- Your poster can be Bookmarked as a FAVORITE — that loads into a “My Gallery” section
- Attendees can Take Notes on your poster
- Bring your digital poster to LIFE with your voice
- Poster presenters are strongly encouraged to easily record up to a 30-minute narration to accompany your poster
- Receive a unique QR code for your poster. Include this QR code on your in-person poster so attendees can zip directly to your e-poster
- Include handouts with your e-poster — so attendees can deep-dive into your support documents
- Attendees can easily message you and connect — find future collaborators, get noticed
All this is done in the ACRM Searchable Online Program & the ACRM App
- You can access the latest greatest rehabilitation scientific posters from ANYWHERE in the world with an internet connection (even the International Space Station)
- Search through and discover hundreds of posters by author, keywords, focus area/track, title
- Scroll through e-posters using handy arrow features
- Easily zoom in/out on posters
- Bookmark faves (bookmarked posters that go into a “My Gallery”)
- Take notes on posters
- Hear audio — the presenter’s narration (when they decide to do so)
- See handouts — when presenters may include along with their poster
4) LaunchPad
Deadline: CLOSED
LaunchPad is an annual competition created to highlight innovative rehabilitation technologies developed by non-profit research and engineering labs and startup companies. The competition is held at ACRM’s annual conference each fall. Pitch your company or idea to a panel of rehab industry experts and an audience of clinicians, researchers, engineers, and decision-makers to receive market feedback and win prizes. Learn more about LaunchPad
Who Should Submit
Rehabilitation professionals or teams who:
- Wish to present their latest research
- Value the opportunity to engage with an interdisciplinary audience
- Offer translational research to inform evidence-based practice
- Value the opportunity to engage with an interdisciplinary and diverse audience
- Wish to network and seek potential collaborations with our many exhibitors and vendors
- Wish to present their latest research and contribute to the state-of-the-art in rehabilitation
Why Submit
See infographic HERE>>
- BUILD YOUR CV
- Participating in the ACRM Annual Conference and being published in the ARCHIVES are celebration-worthy career milestones
- PRESENT your evidence-based knowledge to a large, INTERNATIONAL audience — 3,000+ attendees from 65+ countries expected
- CONNECT with interdisciplinary colleagues who share your research interests and passions
- NETWORK with POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, mentors, collaborators, and funders
- Gain RECOGNITION as an expert in your topic of research and as an ACRM contributor
- Get Published in the ARCHIVES
ACRM’s scientific journal, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation(ARCHIVES) is the most cited journal in rehabilitation. All abstracts of accepted oral and poster presentations of scientific papers will be published (fully searchable and citable) in the online pages of ARCHIVES. - AWARDS — Become eligible for prestigious ACRM AWARDS for outstanding posters
- DISCOVER an interprofessional platform where clinicians can inform research and cutting-edge, evidence-based information can inform best practices in clinical rehabilitation.
- The ACRM Conference attracts a passionate, interdisciplinary mix of rehabilitation pros from around the world.
How to Submit
All proposals/abstracts and LaunchPad applications must be submitted online via the ACRM Conference System according to the submission deadlines. To see an outline of the information you will need to enter during the submission process, please download the Proposal Worksheets.
- Presenter must register for the conference
- Presenter must agree to pre-record their presentation
- Presenter must agree to participate in a live video Q&A video or chat Session on the date and time of their scheduled presentation
- Presenter must agree to an Embargo period for their ACRM presentation
- Presenter must agree to allow for their content to live on in ACRM’s online library
Presenter Agreement for Submission>>
Please note that if your submission is accepted for the 2022 Annual Conference, each presenter will be required to register for the conference and pay the special ACRM presenter rate.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
The ACRM Annual Conference: Progress in Rehabilitation Research is the premier educational conference for evidence-based learning in rehabilitation medicine. The 2022 Program Committee invites proposals focused on research evidence and its translation into clinical practice. ACRM is especially interested in the following content topics:
- Aging Research & Geriatric Rehabilitation
- Arts and Neuroscience
- Athlete Development & Sports Rehabilitation
- Behavioral Health Sciences
- Big Data NEW!
- Brain Injury
- Burn Rehabilitation NEW!
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation NEW!
- Caregiver Needs NEW!
- Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)
- Complementary Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine
- COVID-19 and Long COVID (Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection, PASC) NEW!
- Cultural Competency NEW!
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion NEW!
- Early Mobilization & Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Unit NEW!
- Ethics NEW!
- Health Services Research
- International
- Leadership NEW!
- Lifestyle Medicine
- Limb Care (including prosthetics/orthotics)
- Measurement
- Military/Veterans Affairs
- Neurodegenerative Diseases (e.g. MS, Parkinson’s disease)”
- Neuroplasticity (includes neuroscience)
- Pain
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System
- Skin Management NEW!
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Technology (e.g., robotics, assistive technology, mHealth)
- Telehealth NEW!
- Trauma NEW!
- Writing Grants & Getting Funded NEW!
Proposals that are interdisciplinary in nature, or include international or early career presenters are encouraged!
Avoidance of Commercialism
All presentations must avoid commercialism. Presentations that constitute promotion and advertising will be prohibited. This includes pervasive and inappropriate use of logos. No advertising matter of any kind may be distributed. No material may be displayed that in any way directly promotes the commercial interest of any company or enterprise, or of the author(s)/presenter(s). If the cost of presentation has been underwritten to any extent, a clear acknowledgment stating support and identifying the particular source should be included (e.g., “The support of [name of corporation/institute] for this project is gratefully acknowledged.”) Statements made in presentations are the sole responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s). Any statement made should not be viewed as, or considered representative of, any formal stance or position taken on any product, subject, or issue by ACRM.
Accreditation Requirements
At the time of online submission, submitters must provide complete contact information (e.g., name, credentials, title, institution, mailing address, email, and phone) for all authors/presenters associated with the submission. Further, all submitters, authors, and presenters must submit a current CV or resume and electronically sign a continuing education (CE) agreement and disclosure form. Failure to do so prevents acceptance of a submission. An electronic copy of presentations must be held on file with ACRM.
Conference Attendance and Presenter Expenses
Presenters for all accepted proposals are required to register for the conference, and are fully responsible for all of their expenses related to the conference (e.g., registration, airfare, hotel, meals).
Proposal Submission Selection Criteria
Each complete submission received by the published due date will be independently peer reviewed.
Each proposal for a symposium will be reviewed for the following elements: (1) contribution to state of the art of rehabilitation science, including scientific rigor and the presentation of new findings (2) Clinical and/or translational relevance (3) Pertinent to the interests of the ACRM membership; (4) Expertise and qualifications of the presenters; (5) timeliness of the topic; (6) overall impact and quality.
Weighting for Each Criteria
| Contribution to state of the art of rehabilitation science, including scientific rigor and the presentation of new findings | 15% |
| Clinical and/or translational relevance | 12.5% |
| Pertinent to the interests of the ACRM membership | 7.5% |
| Expertise and qualifications of the presenters | 7.5% |
| Timeliness of the topic | 7.5% |
| Overall impact and quality | 50% |
Guiding Questions for Scoring Each Attribute
CONTRIBUTION TO STATE OF THE ART OF REHABILITATION SCIENCE, INCLUDING SCIENTIFIC RIGOR AND THE PRESENTATION OF NEW FINDINGS- To what degree are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, or interventions reflective of rigorous scientific principles, evidence-based research, or other generally accepted principles or practices?
- Does the submission indicate that new findings will be presented (including findings from individual studies as well as evidence-based reviews)?
- Does the topic demonstrate consistency with available literature and evidence?
- Is a clear, reflective component identified?
- Does the abstract articulate purpose and content of the presentation?
CLINICAL AND/OR TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
- To what degree does the session have relevance to rehabilitation practice?
- Will methods and implications for translating research findings and evidence into practice be discussed?
PERTINENCE TO THE INTERESTS OF THE ACRM MEMBERSHIP
- To what degree are the concepts in the abstract relevant to one or more of the content topic areas of most interest to ACRM:
Aging Research & Geriatric Rehabilitation
Arts & Neuroscience
Athlete Development & Sports Rehabilitation
Behavioral Health Sciences
Big Data
Brain Injury
Burn Rehabilitation
Cancer Rehabilitation
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Caregiver Needs
Clinical practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)
Complementary Integrative Medicine
COVID-19 and Long COVID (Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection, PASC)
Cultural Competency
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Early Mobilization & Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Unity
Ethics
Health Services Research
International
Leadership
Lifestyle Medicine
Limb Restoration
Measurement
Military and Veterans Affairs
Neurodegenerative disease (e.g., MS, Parkinson’s disease)
Neuroplasticity (includes neuroscience)
Pain
Pediatric Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System
Skin Management
Spinal Cord Injury
Stroke
Technology (e.g. robotics, assistive technology, mHealth)
Telehealth
Trauma
Writing Grants & Getting Funded
2. Interdisciplinary: To what degree are the concepts presented in the abstract relevant to a large number of health professionals and researchers that comprise the ACRM membership? ACRM audiences include: rehabilitation medicine researchers, physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language professionals, disability management specialists, healthcare executives, dieticians and others.
EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PRESENTERS
- Is there relevant expertise to present the topic?
- Is the presentation topic consistent with the focus of the presenters’ training and work?
- Is the level of material appropriate for the identified target audience (introductory, intermediate, advanced)?
TIMELINESS OF THE TOPIC
- To what degree are concepts/findings presented in the abstract reflective of recently released, significant information?
- To what degree are the concepts in the abstract a hot topic of interest to a large population of the ACRM audience?
Scoring Guidance
| Impact | Score | Descriptor | Additional Guidance on Strengths/Weaknesses |
| High | 9 | Exceptional | Exceptionally strong with essentially no weaknesses |
| 8 | Outstanding | Extremely strong with negligible weaknesses | |
| 7 | Excellent | Very strong with only some minor weaknesses | |
| Medium | 6 | Very Good | Strong but with numerous minor weaknesses |
| 5 | Good | Strong but with at least one moderate weakness | |
| 4 | Satisfactory | Some strengths but also some moderate weaknesses | |
| Low | 3 | Fair | Some strengths but with at least one major weakness |
| 2 | Marginal | A few strengths and a few major weaknesses | |
| 1 | Poor | Very few strengths and numerous major weaknesses |
Questions
Contact Maegan Criscione: meetings@ACRM.org or call +1.703.435.5335
