Call for Abstracts

Submit an Abstract for the
11th Annual AACI CRI Meeting

The 11th Annual AACI CRI Meeting Call for Abstracts is now closed. This year’s meeting theme will focus on strategies to maximize innovation to advance cancer clinical research. The purpose of the abstracts is to inform meeting attendees about clinical trials office challenges and solutions implemented at AACI cancer centers.

Three abstracts will be selected for oral presentation at the meeting. Up to two authors of each winning abstract will receive complimentary meeting registration or a refund for a previously paid meeting registration fee. While AACI encourages collaboration with external organizations, only employees of AACI member cancer centers are eligible for complimentary meeting registration.

All abstract authors are encouraged to present a poster and discuss their findings during the poster session at the meeting. Information about the poster session is forthcoming.
 
Important Dates
February 1, 2019
Abstract requirements available

March 1, 2019
Online submission tool opens

April 19, 2019 | 5:00 PM PT
Deadline to submit abstracts

Mid-June
Abstracts selected for oral presentation notifications sent to submitting authors

June 21, 2019
Deadline to submit an electronic copy of your poster to [email protected]

  1. The abstract's first author must be from an AACI cancer center. Members from more than one center or organization may collaborate. For all authors, please list full first and last names with credentials. If the first author and co-author(s) are from different institutions or organizations, please indicate each investigator's institution using a superscript number.
    Ex: Rachel Jones, MD1; Jill Smith, PhD2; Brandon Lee, MPH3
    1Cancer Center A; 2Cancer Center B; 3Cancer Center C 
     
  2. You must use the CRI Abstract Template as a guideline to draft your submission. The abstract word limit is 500 words, not including the abstract title, author and institution names, and abstract template section titles. The online submission tool will open in March using the same section headers.
     
  3. This year, authors will submit abstracts to a specific category. Please select the category that is the best fit for your abstract:
    • Regulatory
    • Training & Quality Assurance
    • Finance/CCSG/PRMS
    • Trial Recruitment & Disparities Research
    • Trial Start Up
    • Clinical Operations
    • Investigator Initiated Trials
    Note: If a reviewer believes your abstract is better suited for a different category, they may edit this selection. 
     
  4. You may include one graphic element (photo, illustration, table, or graph, no larger than 4"x6") as an attachment. Please make sure to upload your graphic element as a jpeg file. 
     
  5. All submitted abstracts should be ready for publication. Please submit your abstract using the online submission tool in March. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. 
     
  6. The abstract deadline is 5:00 pm PT on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Why should I submit an abstract? 
An abstract tells a story about how your center has addressed a clinical trials operational problem. Since many AACI cancer centers face similar obstacles, sharing your story helps promote practices leading to better efficiency and quality at other AACI cancer centers.  

Who can submit an abstract?
AACI members may collaborate with other centers or external organizations to submit an abstract.

What should I include in my abstract?
You must use the provided CRI Abstract Template and describe the following: 
  • Background of the problem 
  • Goals or metrics 
  • Solutions implemented 
  • Results or conclusions from the steps implemented (positive or negative) 
  • Recommendations, lessons learned, or next steps
Do I have to use the AACI CRI Abstract Template?
It is recommended that authors use the template to draft their submissions, as the abstract template requires the same information that will be collected in the online submission tool. 

May I submit an abstract presented at a past meeting?
Yes. However, if the abstract was submitted for a prior AACI CRI Annual Meeting, the abstract must be significantly updated from the initial submission. Changes may include project expansion, new or updated results, and/or completion of next steps.

Can I submit an abstract with research that is in progress/interim analysis?
Yes, as with all abstracts, a description of data analysis helps to support your conclusions. However, if you are providing an abstract where the data analysis is not available but other findings can support your solutions, the committee is interested in reviewing those abstracts as well.

How do I submit my abstract? 
Beginning in March, authors will be able to enter information online using a new submission tool. 

Can I make changes to a submitted abstract?
No. Abstracts will be submitted for review in the format they are received, so please make sure that your abstract is a final version when you submit it to AACI.

Are examples of other CRI meeting abstracts available for review?  
Yes. You may view abstracts and posters from the 10th Annual AACI CRI Meeting in the 2018 Abstract and Posters Book.

How are abstracts scored and selected for presentation?   
Abstracts are evaluated by at least two reviewers from the AACI CRI Steering Committee and/or CRI Education Committee using a peer-review process. Three abstracts will be chosen for oral presentation that address an issue that provides relevant solutions that can be shared or adapted by other AACI cancer centers.

When will applicants be notified of their review outcome?
Abstract applicants will be notified in June 2019. 

What is the size requirement for the poster?
Posters may not exceed 24” x 36” (portrait) or 36” x 24” (landscape). Larger posters cannot be displayed on the provided poster boards.

What format or program should I use to develop my poster?
You may format your poster using a program of your choice. PowerPoint templates are available in landscape and portrait format.

How will posters be displayed?
Standard foam boards, 24” x 36” (portrait) or 36” x 24” (landscape), will be provided. Posters will be secured to the boards using tacks or binder clips, provided on-site. Posters are to be hung by the presenting author on Tuesday, July 9 before 4:00 pm CT and not removed until Thursday, July 11 after 10:00 am CT.

Does AACI CRI require a hard copy of my poster?
A hard copy is not required. Any posters left at the end of the meeting will be discarded.

Do I need to submit an electronic copy of my poster?
Yes, an electronic version must be emailed to [email protected] by 5:00 pm PT on Friday, June 21, 2019 to allow time to be included on the meeting website and to prepare meeting displays. Attendees enjoy viewing posters prior to the meeting. Please email a full-sized, 24” x 36” (portrait) or 36” x 24” (landscape), version of your poster.

Are poster handouts required?
Although not required, handouts are recommended. Past meeting attendees have indicated that handouts are helpful for facilitating a discussion of your poster at the poster session. We recommend printing 75 copies.

What happens to my abstract after the meeting?
Abstracts and posters are published in a booklet that is distributed at the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, which is attended by cancer center directors, administrators, and physician clinical leaders. By submitting an abstract and poster, you give AACI permission to publish these materials. Your abstract will also be available for review on the AACI CRI abstract/poster webpage for up to one year or until the next CRI Annual Meeting.