Abstract Reflections – Get Ready for Submitting ISMRM Abstracts

But what does abstract really mean?

The Latin origin of the word is easy to recognize, but the connection between its original meaning, detached or drawn away, and its modern use is less obvious. Etymology traces today’s meaning as an abridgement or summary of a longer publication to the 16^th century. My own interpretation is that this updated use of the word is connected to the invention of the movable-type printing press a century earlier. At the time, this was a true technological revolution, dramatically increasing the ability to produce and disseminate written knowledge. Perhaps, as the volume of available information grew, so did the need for a way to efficiently navigate it. The abstract, in its modern sense, may have been one response to this emerging information overload.

An abstract therefore offers an opportunity to communicate a condensed version of our research findings efficiently to a large community of colleagues. For ISMRM, this community is international, but the language of communication is English. For contributors whose first language is not English, writing an abstract can be challenging—until now. With artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), we are witnessing another technological revolution that may prove comparable in its impact on the dissemination of knowledge as the 15^th century movable-type printing press. These tools can help researchers communicate across language barriers and make scientific information more accessible to an international audience.

With new capabilities come new responsibilities. AI-generated text needs to be carefully checked for subtle shifts in meaning, much like the distortions that can occur through serial translation. More concerning are the possibilities that arise when AI is used for tasks beyond language editing, including the generation of inaccurate or entirely fabricated information. The more we rely on these tools, the more important it becomes to critically evaluate their output. Ultimately, however, the responsibility and accountability for the content of an abstract rests squarely with its authors.

Beyond the summary and its dissemination, an ISMRM abstract is so much more: It is a unique opportunity to share new findings with an international community, receive feedback from experts, engage in conversations that may challenge or refine our thinking, and perhaps most importantly, spark new collaborations. A well-written abstract can therefore be the beginning of a scientific conversation rather than simply the end point of a research project.

Abstract Categories

Tandem Abstracts: This year, we are particularly excited to introduce a new abstract category that recognizes the power of collaboration between clinical and technical experts. An M.D. and a collaborating Ph.D. or PhD-student, as dual first authors, will have the opportunity to jointly present their work at the podium. This format is designed to bring together clinical relevance and technical innovation, allowing both perspectives to be presented with the accuracy, depth, and confidence they deserve. We hope that this initiative will highlight the tremendous potential of clinician–scientist collaboration to generate new ideas, accelerate scientific progress, and ultimately lead to breakthroughs that benefit our patients.

Clinical Practice Abstracts: This abstract category is intended for work demonstrating the added value of MR in patient care, particularly when MR provides unique diagnostic or management insights. These can mean the use of a novel contrast or the application of a contrast in a disease for which it has not previously been used. This category also includes innovative, emerging, and advanced MR techniques used for diagnosis or therapy monitoring.

Regular Abstracts: These are the traditional abstracts that most authors will consider for their submission. This year, in a small twist, authors can select whether their abstract, in keeping with the overall theme of the conference, should be considered for the Deep Dive into a New Dimension subcategory. Oral sessions featuring abstracts in this subcategory will include an introductory presentation by an invited speaker.

Member-Initiated Sessions: While not an abstract in the strict sense, member-initiated sessions provide an opportunity to propose an entire session. Formats may include invited speaker presentations, debates, panel discussions, or hands-on tutorials.

Submission Details

All abstracts may contain up to 750 words and up to 5 figures with captions limited to 500 characters. A synopsis of up to 100 words must be provided as well. For member-initiated sessions, besides a detailed outline and a description of the overall goal of the planned session that will be considered in the evaluation, a 250-word abstract for each invited speaker is now required. Please be sure to consult the detailed submission instructions well ahead of the deadline. A webinar on abstract writing, including an opportunity to ask questions, will be held on 24 September 2026. The recording of this webinar, as well as earlier abstract-writing webinars, will subsequently be available in the archive. Abstract submission will be open from 1 October through 28 October 2026. Eligible applicants may also apply for a stipend during this period. The ECHO platform will be used for submission. Information about recent changes to the ECHO platform can be found here.

What Happens After Submission?

All submitted abstracts will undergo peer review. If you would like to participate in the review process during November, you are welcome to sign up for this task through ECHO. The Annual Meeting Program Committee (AMPC) will then classify abstracts based on their scores and assemble the scientific program during the construction meeting in January 2027. Accepted abstracts will be presented on site at the 2027 ISMRM Annual Meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The presenting author(s) must attend in person.