Applications open until December 16, 2025
AAI Trainee Abstract Award
Download Abstract Award Ribbon to include on your poster
This award provides complimentary meeting registration to AAI Trainee members (undergraduate students, graduate students, young professionals, and postdoctoral fellows) whose first-author abstracts submitted to the AAI annual meeting are selected for podium presentation in Major Symposia or Block Symposia.
Only selected candidates will be notified. In most cases this award may not be combined with other awards or grants for the AAI annual meeting. AAI Trainee Abstract Award recipients may receive the Equity in Immunology Travel Award, or be second recipients on AAI Laboratory Travel Grants or AAI Undergraduate Faculty Travel Grants, but they may only claim the monetary value from a single award (i.e., claim complimentary registration or a cash award, not both).
Eligibility
To be eligible, a successful candidate must meet all of these requirements:
- Be an鈥�AAI Trainee member for 2026 with dues paid no later than鈥�December 16, 2025.
- Have completed the submission of a first-author abstract to IMMUNOLOGY2026™ by鈥�-December 16, 2025.鈥疊e sure to select the option during abstract submission that indicates you are willing to make a podium (Block Symposium) presentation at the meeting.
If you are not yet a Trainee member, visit鈥�http://www.aai.org/Membership/Join/Trainee-Membership鈥痶o join.
How to Qualify — FAQs
Q: What does it mean to be selected for a Major Symposium or Block Symposium?
A: Every abstract submitted to the meeting is reviewed by Abstract Reviewers, AAI members expert in that field. The reviewers select outstanding abstracts for podium presentation in Block Symposia at the meeting. This honor highlights exciting science. AAI member graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will also be considered for the opportunity to present their research in Major Symposia.
Q:鈥疕ow do I indicate I want to be considered for this award?
A: Any AAI Trainee member who submits a first-author abstract to IMMUNOLOGY2026™ automatically will be considered, provided that you meet all eligibility requirements above and select the option during abstract submission that indicates you are willing to make a podium (Block Symposium) presentation at the meeting. NOTE: If you select “POSTER ONLY,” you will NOT be considered for this award.
Q:鈥疕ow do I know that my abstract submission is complete?
A: Your abstract submission is complete when you have received an email confirmation.
Q:鈥疘f I am selected for a podium presentation and cannot attend the meeting, will I still get the award?
A: No. To be eligible for the award you must attend the meeting and make the podium (Major or Block Symposium) presentation as scheduled.
Q:鈥疌an someone else make my presentation for me?
A: Occasionally someone else makes a presentation due to an unavoidable conflict or emergency situation; however, the award will not be given to them or to the author who does not present.
Q:鈥疻hat if I have more than one abstract and they are BOTH selected for podium presentation in Block鈥疭ymposia?
A: No individual may receive more than one award.
Q:鈥疘 think I am already a Trainee Member (or I used to be). How can I check?
A: Send an email to鈥�members@aai.org鈥痑nd AAI staff will let you know.
Q:鈥疘 don’t have any publications yet. May I still become a Trainee Member?
A: Yes! There is no publication requirement! Please see鈥�/Membership/Join/Trainee-Membership鈥痜or membership requirements.
Q:鈥疕ow much does it cost to become a Trainee Member?
A: Please view Trainee membership dues and benefits at鈥�/Membership/Join/Trainee-Membership.
Q:鈥疕ow long do I have to wait to become a Trainee Member
A: Trainee members are approved and enrolled as soon as we receive a completed application and payment.
AAI Trainee Abstract Award Recipients
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