Call for Member-Initiated Sessions
for the 2027 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting
Submission Deadline:
While the Annual Meeting Program Committee (AMPC) is responsible for the scientific and educational content of the Annual Meeting, Member-Initiated Sessions (MIS) provide an opportunity for members to contribute complementary content that further enhances the meeting.
Member-Initiated Sessions may support different content formats, including presentations, debates, panel discussions, and hands-on tutorials, within a two-hour block. All Member-Initiated Sessions are planned for on-site delivery in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
All proposals must be submitted electronically through the abstract submission system and will be thoroughly reviewed by the AMPC. Selection will be competitive and based on the criteria listed below.
ISMRM Study Groups are strongly encouraged to submit a proposal. This is the primary mechanism through which Study Groups may contribute additional content at the Annual Meeting.
Speaker Participation and Expenses
Before submitting a proposal, organizers must confirm the participation of all proposed speakers and moderators.
All speakers must register for the Annual Meeting. ISMRM will not provide reimbursement for registration, travel, lodging, or other expenses.
When communicating with prospective speakers, organizers are strongly encouraged to use the text provided in this template letter to clearly explain the participation requirements and expectations.
Presentation Titles and Synopses
For each speaker delivering an individual presentation, the proposal should include:
- The presentation title;
- A synopsis of no more than 250 words; and
- The name of the speaker associated with the presentation.
Submitters may complete multiple title and synopsis fields, with one separate entry for each speaker. Each synopsis must be associated with the appropriate speaker.
A presentation synopsis is expected for each speaker giving an individual presentation.
If the proposed session consists of a panel discussion without individual presentations, speaker synopses are optional. However, the proposal should include an overall description of the panel topic, format, and intended discussion.
Selection Criteria
The AMPC will score and rank submitted proposals based on the following criteria:
- Scientific or Educational Quality: the quality, timeliness, and anticipated level of interest among the ISMRM membership.
- Goodness of Fit: the degree to which the proposed session complements the plenary, scientific, educational, and other content within the overall Annual Meeting program. The 2027 plenaries, named lectures, and educational sessions may be viewed as they become available in the preliminary Program-at-a-Glance.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: engagement of underrepresented groups among both the speakers and the target audience. Diversity is defined broadly and may include gender, ethnicity, geographic region, career stage, M.D. versus Ph.D., alternative career pathways, and other relevant dimensions.
- Interdisciplinary Connections: content that promotes connections fundamental to the ISMRM and ISMRT membership, including collaboration among clinicians, scientists, and technologists.
- Innovation and Interactivity: novel session formats and formats that incorporate meaningful audience participation or other interactive elements are particularly welcome.
How To Submit a Proposal
Proposals must be submitted through the new ECHO submission website.
To begin:
- Visit the ECHO submission website.
- Log in or create an account if this is your first visit.
- Begin a new submission.
- Select “Member-Initiated Session” as the abstract type.
- Complete all required proposal, speaker, title, and synopsis fields.
- Review the proposal and submit it before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AMPC members participate?
The goal of Member-Initiated Sessions is to provide a mechanism for the broader membership to contribute content to the Annual Meeting.
Because AMPC members will make the final selections, they may not submit MIS proposals. Although organizers are encouraged to consult informally with AMPC members, participation by AMPC members in these sessions should be avoided.
Is reimbursement available for speakers, moderators, or organizers?
No. MIS organizers, moderators, and speakers will not receive reimbursement.
When inviting speakers and moderators, organizers must clarify that participants are responsible for paying their own meeting registration, travel, and lodging expenses.
What support will the ISMRM Central Office provide?
Because these sessions are member-initiated, organizers are responsible for inviting speakers, confirming their participation, and communicating with them regarding session requirements.
The Central Office will update the program if changes are absolutely necessary but is not expected to communicate directly with session presenters regarding other arrangements.
Is there a required format for Member-Initiated Sessions?
All sessions will be delivered on site in Vancouver in two-hour blocks.
Member-Initiated Sessions may include presentations, debates, panel discussions, hands-on tutorials, or other suitable formats. Alternative room arrangements may be considered depending on their cost and complexity.
Can I speak in a session that I organize?
No. Organizers and moderators may not present in a session that they organize or moderate. However, another individual from an organizer’s or moderator’s institution may present.
In general, proposals should not include multiple speakers from the same institution. Organizers will typically moderate their own sessions.
Should I confirm speakers before submitting an MIS proposal?
Yes. All speakers and moderators must confirm their participation before the proposed session is submitted.
Speakers and moderators must also explicitly agree to participate on site in the format selected by the organizers.
Inviting speakers and moderators and obtaining their confirmation are solely the responsibility of the organizers. The Central Office is not expected to communicate directly with proposed presenters.
Is a synopsis required for each speaker?
A synopsis of no more than 250 words is expected for each speaker delivering an individual presentation. Each synopsis must be entered separately and associated with the appropriate speaker and presentation title.
If the session is structured entirely as a panel discussion without individual presentations, separate speaker synopses are optional. An overall description of the proposed panel discussion should still be provided.
Are speakers required to submit a syllabus or disclosure?
A disclosure is required for these sessions. A syllabus is not required unless the organizers wish to offer CE/CME credit.
Presenters must also include a disclosure slide at the beginning of their presentations to inform attendees of any potential conflicts of interest.
When will Member-Initiated Sessions occur during the meeting?
Member-Initiated Sessions will occur primarily during weekday parallel sessions at the Annual Meeting.
Specific session dates and times cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, organizers, moderators, and presenters must commit to being available from Monday through Thursday of the Annual Meeting.
Some sessions may be scheduled during the weekend. Submitters will be asked to indicate on the proposal form whether a weekend session would be acceptable.
Can I submit or participate in more than one MIS proposal?
An individual may be involved in organizing only one Member-Initiated Session.
If a proposed speaker is also giving another invited presentation, such as a named lecture, plenary talk, or educational course, the speaker’s MIS presentation must address a unique topic and must not overlap with their other Annual Meeting content.
In general, including the same speaker in multiple proposals will reduce the likelihood that all associated proposals will be selected.
Can a Study Group submit more than one proposal?
No. A Study Group may submit only one proposal.
If Study Group members wish to submit an MIS proposal on a topic different from the one selected by the Study Group leadership, they may submit it as a separate session that is not associated with the Study Group.
When will we know whether the session has been selected?
The AMPC will make its final MIS selections when it convenes in January.
Acceptance decisions will be communicated at approximately the same time as Annual Meeting abstract acceptance notifications.
Can student members participate in an MIS?
Yes. Students and early-career researchers are strongly encouraged to participate as organizers or speakers.
To help trainee members prepare competitive proposals, less-experienced organizers are encouraged to include a more experienced co-organizer or seek mentorship from members of the AMPC.
Further Questions
Please contact the ISMRM Central Office at info@ismrm.org with any additional questions.
