The Academic Poster Session is a joint venture between JCEMS and the National Collegiate EMS Foundation (NCEMSF). Established in 2018 at the 25th Annual NCEMSF Conference, the Academic Poster Session is held annually at the NCEMSF conference. The session provides a forum for collegiate EMS leaders and scholars to share research findings and innovative and novel collegiate EMS programs and initiatives. Presented abstracts and posters are published in JCEMS to promote open access scholarship.
At the annual NCEMSF Conference, The College EMS Research Poster of the Year Award is announced at the NCEMSF Awards Ceremony. This award recognizes excellence in campus-based EMS research and promotes advancements in the field through academic research. Winners are selected from among the submitted posters for the JCEMS poster competition at the annual conference.
Congratulations to all of our recipients from previous years!
- 2022 – Plaitano, Enzo G.; Pate, Bianca; Ryan, Kevin M. (Boston University) – Developing a Curriculum to Enable Emergency Medical Technicians to Assist Paramedics With Advanced Interventions
- 2023 – Dickey, Margaret (St. Olaf College) – Presumptive Diagnosis of Alcohol as Etiology of Altered Mental Status
- 2024 – Schipper, Abigail; Liu, Sabrina (MIT) – Does the Simulated Sex of the CPR Training Manikin Affect CPR Quality?
- 2025 – Shepard, Quinn; Sadorf, Samantha; Abdelghany, Reem (University of Florida) – Analysis and Standardization of Non-Transport Collegiate EMS Unit Verbal Handoffs to Responding ALS
2026 Academic Poster Session (Arlington, VA)
33rd Annual Conference of the National Collegiate EMS Foundation
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Washington, DC-Crystal City Arlington, VA
Dates: February 20 – February 22, 2026
Submission Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026
Submit An Abstract: Online Abstract System – Select “Poster Session” under “Submission Type”
Submission Details:
Posters are accepted in one of two tracks:
- Original Research Track:
This track is for posters highlighting academic research on a topic of relevance to the emergency medical services profession.- Must include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion/Conclusion.
- View a poster template: JCEMS-NCEMS Poster Template (Original Research) (2026)
- Development and Evaluation of Novel Programs
This track allows authors to describe a novel program or initiative recently developed by the author or their organization.- Must include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion/Conclusion.
- View a poster template: JCEMS-NCEMS Poster Template (Program Development & Evaluation) (2026)
- All poster submissions must include the following:
- Includes all author names and institutional affiliations (academic department or EMS organization) indicated by superscript footnotes/endnotes.
- Relevant tables, figures, and references.
- All required documentation regarding funding sources and potential conflicts of interest is provided in accordance with JCEMS directions.
- Research is conducted in accordance with the JCEMS ethical guidelines.
- Content (not including abstract, author names, references, and any required statements on funding and ethics) of the poster does not exceed 300 words.
Abstracts will be reviewed by the JCEMS editorial board and at least two blinded, independent reviewers with subject-matter expertise. Abstracts will be reviewed for quality, accuracy, scope, methodological rigor, depth of research or program evaluation, originality/novelty, and style/organization. You may be asked to incorporate reviewers’ recommendations and revise your abstracts before selection. Final selection will be made by the JCEMS editorial board. You will be notified in early February whether or not your abstract has been selected for the Academic Poster Session.
Please note: all presenters are required to print their own posters in 48″ x 36″.
