RDF27 Call for Abstracts

Oral Abstract Submissions CLOSED

Poster Abstract deadline: Friday 13th November

The R&D Forum Programme Content Group is inviting abstracts for posters for RDF27, taking place 9th-11th May 2027 in Birmingham.

This call is aimed at health and care research professionals working across management, delivery and support functions to promote excellence, share knowledge, showcase good practice and demonstrate meaningful impact throughout the health and care research lifecycle.

This is not a call for academic research results. While posters may reference academic research study findings, clinical outcomes or scientific results, abstracts should focus on the innovative approaches to management, delivery and support that are making a positive difference to health and care research outcomes.

Format

Guidelines

Necessary information

Submission Form

Submissions are welcome across the following conference themes, as well as other emerging and topical areas in research management, delivery and support.

Step 1 – Choosing Your Submission Format

Oral abstract submissions are now closed. You can submit a poster, formatted as below:

Poster Abstract

A visual way to share a practical initiative, improvement, experience, approach or example of good practice with delegates. Posters should focus on useful learning and ideas that others can take away or apply, rather than presenting academic research or research findings.

Step 2 – Read the Submission Guidelines

Please carefully read the following information before you submit an abstract. You must read the General Guidelines and the guidelines for whichever type of abstract you wish to submit.

General Abstract Guidelines

Language
Number of Presenters

You can have up to four presenters for the oral presentation/poster. The lead applicant should be listed first and should also be the main point of contact. Each presenter’s full name and professional address including employing organisation should also be submitted.
Number of Abstracts

You can submit more than one abstract either as lead, or part of another team. Should more than one oral abstract be accepted, we will ensure the presentations are scheduled to ensure there are no time conflicts.

Please do not submit the same abstract more than once.
Abstract Selection

All submitted abstracts will be reviewed and selected on criteria including content, relevance, inclusivity and shared best practice to the UK health and care research community.

Notification of acceptance or rejection of oral abstracts and poster abstracts will be sent in due course. It is the responsibility of the lead presenter to notify others who were involved in the submission.

If the lead presenter or author hasn’t heard from us, it simply means decisions are still being finalised. We kindly ask that you wait for our notification before getting in touch to ask about the status of your submission.

If you are unsuccessful for the oral abstract, there is still the opportunity to be considered for a poster abstract. Please indicate on the submission form if you would like to be considered for a poster. Note: there is no guarantee of being selected for a poster – this is only a chance to be considered for a poster.
Event Registration and run up to the Event

Successful applicants will be offered the early bird rate. The timelines for submission and notice of acceptance allow for applicants to take advantage of the early bird offer.

If your application is successful, all presenters commit to present, register to attend and engage fully with the conference organisers to ensure that, on the day, the session and conference will run as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.
Abstract Template
Length
Organisation Permission

Please obtain any necessary internal approvals before submitting your abstract. This includes ensuring that you are authorised to share any information, examples, case studies or other content included within your submission.

By submitting an abstract, you are confirming that the necessary organisational permissions have been obtained.

Poster Abstract Guidelines

Guide for topics

RDF27 posters are not academic research posters and should not be used to present academic research findings.

Posters should provide an engaging and accessible way to share practical experience, learning, initiatives, approaches, improvements, examples of good practice or ideas that will be valuable to the wider research community.

Posters should be designed to encourage conversation and the exchange of ideas with other conference attendees.
Poster Presenters and Conference Attendance

By submitting a Poster Abstract, you are confirming that at least one of the individuals listed on the submission will be available to attend RDF27 on Sunday afternoon to put the poster on display.

Poster presenters are expected to participate in the conference. When submitting, please ensure that at least one of the listed presenters is willing and able to register for and attend the conference if the abstract is accepted.

A maximum of two discounted conference places will be available per accepted poster. Any additional presenters wishing to attend will need to register at the applicable conference rate.
Organisation Listed on the Conference Website

Each accepted poster will be associated with a main organisation, which will be displayed alongside the poster information on the RDF27 website and other conference materials where applicable.

Please ensure that the correct main organisation is identified within your abstract submission. Where a poster involves contributors from multiple organisations, only the designated main organisation will be listed as the poster organisation.
Presenter Information

Please provide accurate details for all individuals associated with the poster as requested within the submission form.

The individuals listed should be those genuinely involved in the poster and its presentation at RDF27. At least one named individual must be available to attend on Sunday afternoon to put the poster on display.
Commitment to Attend RDF27

Please only submit a Poster Abstract if you are prepared to attend and participate in RDF27 should your submission be accepted.

Posters form part of the wider conference programme and are intended to support discussion, networking and shared learning throughout the event. Acceptance of a poster should therefore be viewed as an invitation to participate in the conference, rather than simply an opportunity to display a poster.

Before submitting, please consider the conference registration costs and ensure that at least one of the proposed presenters is willing and able to register and attend if the poster is accepted. Posters have to be displayed until lunchtime on Thursday 11th May at the earliest.
Poster Dimensions
AI Use

Posters fully generated with AI will not be accepted for the conference.

If your abstract has been successful, you will be asked to share a final version of your poster for approval closer to the conference. If this poster is clearly AI-generated, you will be asked to provide another version.

Step 3 – Prepare the Information you’ll need for the Call for Abstracts Form

Before starting your submission, please make sure you have the information below ready. Preparing your responses in advance will make completing the form quicker and easier.

Please have the following information ready:

Abstract title
Abstract: maximum 300 words, prepared in line with the abstract guidelines.
Three learning objectives for your proposed poster
Presenter details for each proposed presenter:
- First name
- Surname
- Organisation
- Job title
- Email address
Permission to submit: confirmation that you, and all presenters, have permission from your respective organisations to submit the abstract and, if accepted, present the proposed content at RDF27.

Please note: You do not need to have your poster design finalised at this point. If you happen to have it already, you can upload it as part of the submission process, but this is not compulsory at this stage.

You may find it helpful to prepare your responses in a separate document before starting the form. In particular, we recommend preparing your abstract, learning objectives and presenter information.

Please note that the form is divided into sections, and some questions will only appear based on the submission format you select. You will therefore not see every question when you first begin the form.

Step 4 – Submit your RDF27 Abstract

Please ensure you have all the necessary information, permissions and have read the guidelines before you begin.

Poster Abstract deadline: Friday 13th November

Begin your abstract submission