2027 Abstract Guidelines & Poster Submission

Submission Categories

Authors may submit abstracts in the following areas of neuromuscular disease (NMD) research and care:

• Pre-Clinical Research
• Translational Research
• Clinical Trials
• Clinical Management
• Other

Abstract Submission Format Requirements

• Abstract title: maximum 150 characters (including spaces)
• Abstract body: maximum 300 words (approximately 2,500 characters including spaces)
• The first author and submitter (if different) will receive all correspondence regarding the submission.

Abstract Review Timeline

Abstract Presentation Formats

All abstracts submitted during the regular submission period or as a late-breaking abstract will be accepted for poster presentation in the combined in-person and virtual poster hall.

• Abstracts designated for oral consideration will be reviewed for potential invitations to present during sessions. Abstracts selected for a presentation will not be presented as posters unless otherwise requested.
• Posters submitted in the trainee category, with the trainee serving as the presenting author, will be eligible for Poster Award consideration. Judges may visit posters during the designated session times for evaluation.

Presentation Format Options

Authors may choose to present:

• In-person
• Virtually
• Both in-person and virtually

Posters will be displayed in the exhibit hall from:

Sunday, March 21 - Tuesday, March 23, 2027

Dedicated Poster Session Times*

*All times subject to change

In-Person Poster Guidelines

• While posters will remain displayed throughout the duration of the conference, presenting authors will be assigned one dedicated two-hour poster presentation shift during which they are required to be present at their poster for attendee discussion and engagement.
• Assigned presentation times will be shared with presenters in advance and published in the conference app and abstract library
• Posters must not exceed 36” wide × 48” high (portrait orientation)
• Presenters are responsible for printing and bringing posters onsite. Printing resources / instructions to print at the Rosen Shingle Creek will be provided at a later date.
• Presenters are encouraged to upload a PDF version of their poster to the virtual platform
  • Additional uploading specifications and deadlines will be shared closer to the conference.

2027 Conference Sessions and Recordings

Presentations at the in-person conference will be live-streamed, recorded, and available on demand to registered conference attendees for three (3) months post-conference.

All recording are owned by MDA and are not permitted to be shared or republished.  

Virtual posters will be accessible beginning Sunday, March 21, 2027, and will remain available to registered attendees for three (3) months following the conference.

Virtual Poster Guidelines

• Final submission must be a one-page PDF
• Submission must include:
  • First name
  • Last name
  • Email address of the presenting/contact author
• QR codes linking to downloadable materials are permitted
• Additional upload instructions and deadlines will be shared closer to the conference.

Please note the MDA Conference Embargo policy has changed for 2027!

Authors may announce that their presentation has been accepted for inclusion in the conference program. However, study data and results may not be publicly released prior Sunday, March 21, 2027, 6:00 PM ET.

For ALL presentations, the embargo lifts on:

Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 6:00 PM ET

This policy applies to:

• Press releases
• Media interviews
• Publications
• Social media
• Blogs
• Public presentations

Authors retain copyright ownership of their abstracts and posters.

Press Releases & Media

“Curtain raisers” announcing scheduled presentations are permitted in advance of the meeting provided they do not contain study results or data.

Press releases containing presentation data must comply with embargo timing.

If selected for an official MDA media briefing, embargo timing will align with briefing schedules unless otherwise communicated.

Encore Presentations

An encore presentation is a previously presented abstract or presentation that is being submitted for presentation again. Encore presentations are permitted provided that:

1. Copyright requirements from prior presentations are respected
2. All prior presentations are fully disclosed at the time of submission

Corrections & Withdrawals

Promoting Accepted Presentations

Authors and organizations are encouraged to promote accepted presentations using:

• Presentation title
• Author name(s)
• Scheduled presentation date and time

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