Call for Poster Abstracts
Dr Stephen McQuaid Early Career Researcher Gold Medal Award
Abstract submissions are now invited for the Dr Stephen McQuaid Early Career Researcher Gold Medal Award at the All-Island Biobank Symposium — Riddel Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, 23 October 2026.
About the Competition
Showcasing Early Career Research
This competition is open to Early Career Researchers and will showcase outstanding research enabled by biobanking resources, samples, data, or infrastructure.
All submitted abstracts must describe research that has been supported by, or has made use of, biobank resources.
Submitted abstracts will be reviewed by a panel, and selected applicants will be invited to display their work in poster format at the All-Island Biobank Symposium. Posters will be judged during the event, with the highest-scoring poster winning the award.
The Prize
Prize & Submission Guidelines
Academic Development Prize
Awarded to support the recipient’s professional and academic development. The winner will be announced at the Biobank Symposium on 23rd October 2026.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts should be between 300 and 800 words.
- Abstracts must be submitted in a structured format using the following headings: Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions (up to one figure and one table may be included).
- Research presented must be supported by, or have utilised, biobank resources.
- Abstracts should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx). Please include the author’s name in the file name.
- Abstracts will be published on the Symposium website and shared on the Biobank Ireland website.
How to Submit
Email your abstract
Abstracts should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx). Please include the author’s name in the file name.
Abstracts will be published on the Symposium website and shared on the Biobank Ireland website.
Eligibility
Who can enter?
An Early Career Researcher is defined as an individual who is:
- Currently undertaking a postgraduate degree, or within two years of completing their highest research degree; and
- Not yet holding a substantive senior academic, clinical, or independent research leadership position.
Take Part
Share your research
We encourage all eligible researchers to submit their work — present your research, engage with colleagues from across the biobanking community, and showcase the impact of biobank-supported research.