ACS Surgical Simulation Summit Call for Abstracts

All those involved in the delivery of simulation-based surgical education and training are invited to submit an abstract containing a concise summary of their research. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Surgeons and physicians
• Residents and fellows
• Medical students
• Nonclinical, allied health professionals

Please note: we do not accept submissions from authors who work for ineligible companies as defined by the ACCME.

There is no limit to the number of abstracts you may submit. However a single author may present no more than three abstracts. There is no fee for submission.

A 300-maximum word abstract that presents a concise summary of hypothesis-testing research—either completed or in progress—that has not been presented elsewhere or previously accepted for publication. Revisions are not accepted after the deadline, including changes to the author/co-author order.

Collaborative research studies and research representing all surgical specialties and all disciplines that utilize simulation are encouraged.  

Please review the 2026 ACS Surgical Simulation Summit Submission Guidelines before submitting your abstract.

Abstracts may be submitted on any topic related to simulation-based surgical education, but we are specifically calling for abstracts on the following topics:

• Curriculum Development
• Faculty Development
• Interprofessional Education
• Learner/Skill Assessments
• Patient Safety
• Program Evaluations
• Quality Improvement
• Simulator Development
• Surgical Outcomes
• Teaching Methods
• Team Wellness
• Other

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) guidelines, all named authors must complete an ACS disclosure statement during the submission process to disclose all financial relationships with any commercial interest. Any potential conflicts of interest as reported in your financial disclosure will be reviewed by the Program Chair. If the conflict cannot be resolved, or if the author is from an ineligible company, the abstract will be rejected.

August 5, 2025, 11:59 pm CT

Please note: The Program Committee does not accommodate or consider late abstract submissions.

Selection notifications will be sent to submitters on November 1, 2025. Please make sure to add edinstitutes@facs.org to your approved senders list.

The ACS-AEI Program Committee will decide the appropriate presentation format for each accepted abstract. Presentation formats are as follows:

• Podium presentation: 10-minute presentation during one of the Paper Sessions. Abstracts that are selected for a podium presentation require authors to provide at least two names of potential discussants to AEI staff in early December.
• Poster presentation: Authors will be asked to stand next to their posters and field questions during the “Meet the Authors Poster Session."

All abstracts presented as a podium and poster presentation will be posted on the ACS website in an electronic abstract publication and may be cited on your CV and in academic publications.

Authors selected to present their completed research as a podium (paper) presentation are required to submit a manuscript draft to the AEI Program at edinstitutes@facs.org by February 17, 2026. This requirement is to help the discussants prepare for the discussion of your paper during the Surgical Simulation Summit. After the meeting, you are invited to revise your first draft based on the feedback received from the discussant and the audience and submit the updated manuscript to the journal Surgery using its Elsevier submission portal. Your submitted manuscript will be peer-reviewed for consideration for publication in Surgery.

Authors selected to present their in-progress research as a podium (paper) presentation will not be required to submit a manuscript draft to the AEI Program. The discussants of those papers will review the abstracts in advance to help them prepare for the discussion of your paper during the Surgical Simulation Summit.

Best in Show Award
All abstracts presented in a Paper Session are eligible to receive the Best in Show Award, which is awarded to the highest scored presentation. The winner receives complimentary registration to next year’s Summit.

Posters of Distinction
The top scoring Posters will receive the designation of Posters of Distinction. Special recognition will be given to the authors in the Program Book and during the Poster Rounds session.

Medical Student Award
The top scoring abstract from a medical student will be awarded complimentary registration for the 2026 meeting. 

There is no separate application method for any of the awards.