Proposal Submission Guidelines

Call for proposals is open!

Deadline: November 6, 2025

This page provides detailed information and instructions for submitting your Scientific Session, University Course, or Roundtable proposal.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

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This page contains guidelines for developing your proposal. When ready to start, download the matching template and before submitting

• University Course Template
• Scientific Session Template
• Roundtable Template

Submission process

• All proposals must be submitted using ADLM’s online submission system. Email submissions will not be accepted. Use the matching proposal template to prepare your submission before the deadline.
• Moderators must confirm speaker participation before submission and ensure speakers complete their financial disclosures.
• No edits or new submissions will be accepted after the deadline.
• Proposals completed at the deadline (including all disclosures) will be reviewed by the Annual Meeting Organizing Committee (AMOC).
• AMOC may contact moderators during review with questions or requests for clarification or edits to made before final acceptance.
• Review notices will be sent in early March. AMOC’s final determinations cannot be appealed.

Submitter requirements and eligibility

• The submitter is automatically the moderator (for ADLM University Courses and Scientific Sessions) or roundtable speaker (for Roundtables) and will receive all correspondence regarding the proposal.
• Moderators who wish to present and receive speaker benefits must be added as a speaker. They will be counted in the total number of speakers.
• ADLM membership is not required, but the submitter and all speakers must have a free ADLM account. New accounts take one to two hours to sync to the submission platform.
• There is no limit on the number of proposals an individual can be listed on. However, each person is limited to participating in a maximum of two ADLM University Courses and/or Scientific Sessions as a moderator or speaker. Please plan accordingly.
• There is no fee to submit a proposal.

Speaker requirements

• All faculty must present in person.
• Diversity is strongly encouraged across gender, ethnicity, career stage, and workplace setting. Submitters (for ADLM University Courses and Scientific Sessions should consider diversity within their speakers. The typical number of speakers varies by session type and is described below.
• Moderators are responsible for obtaining speaker approval and verifying names and affiliations before submitting.
• ADLM membership is not required, but the submitter and all speakers must have a free ADLM account. New accounts take one to two hours to sync to the submission platform. There is no limit on the number of proposals an individual can be listed on. However, each person is limited to participating in a maximum of two ADLM University Courses and/or Scientific Sessions as a moderator or speaker. Please plan accordingly.

Faculty benefits

• Faculty include moderators, speakers, and roundtable speakers.
• All faculty of accepted proposals are responsible for booking their own hotel/lodging. ADLM does not book the hotel/lodging of accepted faculty.
• Moderators only. Moderators are not automatically considered speakers and do not receive speaker benefits. They must be listed as a speaker, counted in the total number of speakers, and contribute to session content to receive the speaker benefits.
• ADLM University Courses and Scientific Sessions only. Speakers receive roundtrip economy airfare when booked through ADLM’s travel agent, $500 honorarium per session/course, and complimentary all-access conference registration for ADLM 2026. Speakers are limited to participating in a maximum of two ADLM University Courses and/or Scientific Sessions.
• Roundtables only. Roundtable speakers are the sole presenter of their session and receive $50 compensation per day they present. They do not receive complimentary registration or other compensation.

Session types

ADLM is accepting proposals for ADLM University Courses, Scientific Sessions, and Roundtables. Each session type has unique opportunities, education formats, and expected audiences. Review details carefully before selecting the best type of session to achieve your goals.

ADLM University Course details and faculty benefits

ADLM University Courses are preconference, workshop-style courses designed to teach hands-on skills. Courses focus on foundations of laboratory medicine, develop hands-on skills, and address topics that advance professional development. Courses are offered in 3- and 6-hour formats. Key points for proposals include:

• Courses must be designed to be interactive, workshop-style formats. Outline the full course plan including didactic content, interactive exercises, and/or hands-on components. Describe any handout materials. An example is included in the template document.
• The submitter is automatically the moderator and receives all correspondence regarding the proposal to be shared with speakers.
• Moderators almost always also serve as a speaker due to the interactive nature of instruction.
• Courses may have up to 3 speakers (3-hour) or 4 speakers (6-hour). A rationale is required in the “Statement of Need” if above this amount.
• Speaker benefits include roundtrip economy airfare when booked through ADLM’s travel agent, $500 honorarium per session/course, and complimentary all-access conference registration for ADLM 2026. Speakers are limited to participating in a maximum of two ADLM University Courses and/or Scientific Sessions.
• Accepted ADLM University Courses are held Sunday.
• Audience size is approximately 30-50 participants and requires ticket purchase. Space for courses is very limited. We highly recommend contacting [email protected] if you are developing a new course.

Scientific session details and faculty benefits

Scientific Sessions are 1.5-hour sessions that comprise the core of the scientific program. They bring in the latest across the field of laboratory medicine. Sessions include a moderator (the proposal submitter) and speakers. Key points for proposals include:

• Sessions may vary in education format and style. Creativity in design is encouraged such as case-based discussions, debates, didactic presentation, speed sessions, and more. See “Session Design” for details.
• Sessions focus on emerging science, unpublished research, or other unique insights and perspectives to engage participants.
• The submitter is automatically the moderator and receives all correspondence regarding the proposal to be shared with speakers.
• Moderators do not receive benefits unless they serve as a speaker as well.
• Sessions typically have a total of 2–3 speakers (including the moderator if they are serving as a speaker as well). A rationale is required in the “Statement of Need” if above this amount.
• Speaker benefits include roundtrip economy airfare when booked through ADLM’s travel agent, $500 honorarium per session/course, and complimentary all-access conference registration for ADLM 2026. Speakers are limited to participating in a maximum of two ADLM University Courses and/or Scientific Sessions.
• Accepted Scientific Sessions are held Monday through Thursday.
• Audience size ranges from 50-200 participants.
• Lab professionals at all career stages are encouraged to submit.

Roundtable details and faculty benefits

Roundtables are 1-hour, small group discussions for up to 10 participants held Monday through Wednesday. They provide an opportunity to engage smaller groups in a unique setting and with a creative design. Key points for proposals include:

• Roundtable speakers are expected to draw participants into focused discussions and learning exercises. Roundtables are not mini-lectures from personal laptops. Describe the engagement you plan in your proposal.
• Topics may range across the spectrum of laboratory medicine with a focus on practical skills and/or case examples.
• Roundtable speakers are the sole faculty in Roundtables.
• Roundtable speakers receive $50 compensation per day they present and do not receive complimentary registration or other compensation.
• Roundtables do not include AV or use of an audience response system. Materials must be made available to participants online and/or provided onsite.
• Accepted Roundtables are held Monday through Wednesday. Each roundtable is delivered twice by the roundtable speaker (once in a morning session and once in a mid-day session).
• Audience size is up to 10 participants (including speaker) and requires ticket purchase.
• Lab professionals at all career stages are encouraged to submit.

Sections of the proposal

These are the sections of the proposal that you will complete online. More details are in the downloadable template above, and any questions can be directed to [email protected].

• Submitter details. Enter information for yourself and complete your financial disclosure form.
• Session type. ADLM University Course, Scientific Session, Roundtable.
• Title. Clear, concise, compelling. 25 words or less.
• Overview. Crucial for review and public. Define the problem, why we should care, and how your proposal will address it (what you’ll cover and how). Max 150 words.
• Session design. Scientific Sessions only. Define the core way that Design with the format that meet your goals.
• Course outline. ADLM University Course only. Detailed outline of course structure and interactive elements. Example in template. Max 500 words.
• Statement of need. Provide supporting information on why this is an area of educational need. Go beyond anecdotal evidence. If proposing more speakers than typical or unique design/setup, provide the rationale here.
• References. Minimum of 2 peer-reviewed references. Does not need to be an exhaustive list.
• Learning objectives. Provide 3 objectives of what participants will be able to do after participating. Go beyond “understand”, “know”, “discuss”, and “describe”. Consider “apply”, “incorporate”, “interpret”, etc.
• Instruction level. Choose from basic, intermediate, advanced.
• Topic(s). Select a primary and optional secondary topic from the list.
• Audience(s). Select the major audiences that will be served by this proposal. Remember that proposals rarely serve all.
• Special setup. Scientific Sessions and ADLM University Courses. Describe any special setup needed for your proposal to be successful.
• Partners. List ADLM core committees, councils, and Divisions that were actively involved in developing the proposal. This is not intended for endorsements by groups or organizations. Partnerships with other organizations should be described in the statement of need.
• Speakers and presentation titles. Include the moderator as a speaker if applicable. Each speaker needs a unique title to be listed in proposal review. Max 25 words.

Session design options

AMOC encourages proposers to be creative in the session design to enhance participant learning. Proposers for ADLM University Courses should describe their design as part of the course outline. Proposers for Roundtable sessions should make sure the design is well-described in the session description and/or educational need section. Scientific Sessions offer a unique opportunity to design creatively. AMOC welcomes proposers to consider how different designs can enhance the learning experience. During submission, you will be able to pick from the follow session designs, which have all been presented successfully at recent meetings. When designing your session, remember to account for participants easily joining late or departing early.

• Case-Based Discussions. Reports of real-life events and problems to facilitate discussion. Discussions should be primarily audience driven and may include audience response questions.
• Debate or Point-Counterpoint. Typically, distinct perspectives of a topic are represented by two speakers with opposing viewpoints. Recommended to include time for presentation and rebuttal. Often used to highlight controversial topics with multiple supported paradigms. Moderation is a major component of design.
• Didactic Presentation / Expert Lecture. An expert speaker conveys information to a large group. Often used to provide background information or details on recent updates in practice. Recommended to keep succinct and consider incorporating audience polling questions and/or case-studies.
• Lightning Talks. A lightning talk is a very short presentation only lasting a few minutes (typically 5-10 minutes). Some formats of lightning talk, including PechaKucha and Ignite, involve a specific number of slides. A series of lightning talks can cover multiple topics with alternating Speakers. Consider opening with a brief lecture to provide context and closing with a panel discussion for all speakers. Timekeeping is important for this type of session.
• Speed Networking/Sessions. Typically, presentations or conversations happen simultaneously. Often used in cases where the participants stay in one seat and the faculty rotate around the room.
• Small Group Discussion. Typically used in conjunction with case-based learning and/or small group exercises. The audience divides into groups (self-selected or assigned) to discuss a topic, case, or problem posed by the faculty. Each group may include a faculty facilitator (although not required). Planning a report out period to follow discussions may be helpful to engage the audience.

Topic descriptions

These are the submission topics for the call for proposals.

• Automation and Analytical Techniques. Submissions on the analytical aspects of clinical laboratory medicine, including evaluation of new technologies and implementation and quality assessment of laboratory automation.
• Cancer Diagnostics and Monitoring. Submissions on cancer biomarkers, companion diagnostics, and the role of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer.
• Cardiovascular Health and Disease. Submissions on biomarkers and analytical methods for diagnosing, assessing risk, and managing cardiovascular and vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke, spanning clinical, analytical, and fundamental research.
• Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology. Submissions on immunologic biomarkers, analytical methodologies, and/or applications of clinical immunology testing of underlying disease states, including autoimmune diseases, allergen testing, and characterization of immune cell-associated neoplasms and malignancies.
• Clinical Microbiology. Submissions on research and innovations in microbial detection and identification, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic algorithms for infectious disease testing and treatment, and preanalytical and analytical approaches to clinical microbiology.
• Comparative Laboratory Medicine. Submissions on using data from preclinical or animal models to better inform human health and disease.
• Data Science and Informatics. Submissions on the use of laboratory-generated data to influence downstream clinical care, leverage institutional decisions on test selection and appropriate utilization, and evaluate the role of AI technologies in healthcare.
• Endocrinology and Metabolism. Submissions on the utilization and application of clinical laboratory tests in the evaluation of endocrine disorders, such as hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal disorders, and reproductive disorders.
• Genetics and Genomics. Submissions on the utilization and application of molecular techniques as related to inherited or acquired disorders, as well as analytic considerations for automation of PCR-based assays.
• General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Submissions on high-volume and routine clinical diagnostics, such as electrolyte monitoring, kidney function testing, liver injury markers, pancreatic function biomarkers, and their application to underlying disease states.
• Hematology and Coagulation. Submissions on analytical methodologies, test utilization, and research related to hematologic malignancies and hypercoagulable states.
• Laboratory Stewardship and Management Sciences. Submissions on the management, personnel, safety, and regulatory aspects of clinical laboratory medicine.
• Mass Spectrometry and Separation Sciences. Submissions on the development, validation, and implementation of mass spectrometric-based assays in the translational or clinical settings.
• Pediatric and Maternal Fetal Medicine. Submissions on biomarkers, analytical methodologies, and reference range considerations for pediatric and maternal-fetal patients. Point-of-Care Testing. Submissions that advance the science and encourage the high-quality implementation of point-of-care testing in diverse patient care settings.
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Toxicology. Submissions on the translational and clinical applications of toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), evaluation of analytical methodologies related to toxicology and TDM testing, data reporting considerations for toxicologic screening v. confirmatory testing, and pre- and post-analytical considerations for TDM.

Accreditation

• All faculty (moderators, speakers, and roundtable speakers) must complete the financial disclosure form for the proposal to be considered complete and proceed to the review process. Faculty appearing in multiple proposals only need to complete the form once. Moderators are responsible for ensuring their session speakers (for ADLM University Courses and Scientific Sessions) complete the online financial disclosure form.
• The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ADLM also offers ACCENT® credit to laboratory professionals to document their continuing education and meet requirements for licensure or certification. All faculty must adhere to the policies to have your session accredited.
• ADLM requires all individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education activity to submit disclosures of any financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies as defined by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) that have occurred within the past 24 months. There is no minimum financial threshold; we ask that you disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount. You should disclose all financial relationships regardless of the potential relevance of each relationship to the education. Even if a product is not specifically referenced or discussed during the activity, individuals must disclose their financial relationship(s) with the ineligible company. An ineligible company is one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. For specific examples of ineligible companies visit https://accme.org/eligibility.
• All disclosures will be reviewed by the ADLM Professional Education Staff, ACCENT Review Board, and CME Subcommittee to determine which financial relationships are relevant and mitigate any potential conflict of interest. Once the mitigation process is complete, determinations about eligibility for ACCENT credit and CME credit are made separately and are governed by the standards and policies of each accreditation system. You will be notified of any requests for additional information after the acceptance notice. Opportunities for employees of ACCME-defined ineligible companies to speak or moderate at the ADLM Annual Scientific Meeting are limited. The use of employees of ACCME-defined ineligible companies as faculty and planners or in other roles where they are in a position to control the content of accredited CME is prohibited, except in specific situations. Sessions or courses that include an owner or employee of an ACCME-defined ineligible company as faculty are typically not eligible for CME credit. Such sessions may still be eligible for ACCENT credit based on their contribution to laboratory medicine education.