The submission guidelines and format descriptions below apply to the Annual Meeting.

How to Submit a General Session

Format Description

• This format includes the formats previously referred to as workshops, symposia, case conferences, forums, and advances in psychiatry.
• 90-minute session
• Please note that the SPC may make title recommendation changes.
• Clinically oriented presentations (including research-/data-driven presentations) should encourage audience participation through discussion and Q&A between the presenters and audience.
• One chair and four presenters.
  • If the session chair is also presenting, they must also be added as a presenter

Checklist for Submission

The initial review process is blinded. To protect blinding, do not include presenter names anywhere in the session content (e.g., title, abstract, agenda)

• Do not include the names of presenters in the title, abstract, or agenda.
• Avoid naming academic medical centers or institutions whenever feasible. If inclusion is unavoidable (e.g., required for clarity, multi-site trial identification, or a formal program name), minimize identifying details and anonymize where possible (e.g., “a large academic medical center,” “a regional VA facility,” “an urban safety-net hospital”)
• New this year (2027): Updated scoring rubric for peer review: The General Sessions review rubric has been substantively updated to improve consistency across reviewers, strengthen alignment with APA priorities, and increase transparency regarding what constitutes a high-quality submission. This update is part of a broader, evidence-informed performance improvement initiative that includes review calibration and session samples to reduce scoring variability and strengthen fairness both within the peer review process and across the overall submission experience. Educational resources, including webinars and slide presentations, will also be provided to help submitters better understand the scoring framework and improve the quality and clarity of their abstracts.  
  • 2027 Submission Grading Rubric.pdf
• New this year (2027): Updated general sessions sample abstracts are available to illustrate strong submissions aligned with the revised rubric. 
• Each session is required to have one designated chair. 
• General session title (maximum of 150 characters, with spaces) 
  • Title should be brief, unique, and interesting 
• Participant information* 
  • Completed profile 
  • Financial disclosure form 
  • Presenter release forms 
  • Please note that your submission will not be finalized and sent to grading until all presenters complete their financial disclosure and presenter release forms. 
  • Use the "Add Co-Presenter" button to add co-presenters to your submission. 
• Educational objectives (maximum of 200 characters, with spaces, per objective) 
  • Three to five learning objectives 
  • Each objective will complete the statement "At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:" 
• Overall session abstract (maximum of 3,000 characters, with spaces) 
  • The abstract should be a concise description of your session and how you plan to engage with your audience. 
  • For research-focused presentations, a structured abstract (IMRaD format) is permitted. 
  • Please do not include speaker names in your abstract. 
  • Accepted session abstracts will be published as-is in the meeting syllabus and proceedings. Please proofread your abstract before submitting. 
• References 
  • Please do not include any references, citations, tables, or figures in your abstract. 
  • List three or more peer-reviewed references published in the last five years to support your session content. 
  • References may be formatted according to your preferred style guide. 
• Agenda 
  • The agenda should outline details about your lesson plan, teaching methods, and timing of your proposed session. 
  • Please do not include speaker names in your agenda. 
• Topic 
  • Select one to two topics that best describe the overall focus of your proposed session. 
• Self-Assessment Activity 
  • Please submit one multiple-choice question with four possible choices and one correct answer per question. 
  • Include an explanation of the correct answer with one to three references published in the last five years. 
  • View Self-Assessment activity guidelines and example here (.pdf) 
• Examples
  • Session Example 1.pdf
  • Session Example 2.pdf

*All presenters must create a profile and complete the required forms prior to submitting a proposal for review by the Scientific Program Committee. All presenters must be available to present at the meeting and must register for the meeting prior to the date of their presentation.

How to Submit a Poster

Format Description

• Posters present new research and case findings
• Literature review posters may also be submitted but must clearly state the methods, databases, and keywords used in the review and summarize how the review adds to existing literature on the subject
• Posters on single case studies will not be accepted
• Study data must be complete before submission and must be included within the submitted poster abstract
• Only one presenter per poster
• Maximum four co-authors per poster (co-authors do not present)
  • One co-author may be designated as the "lead author." Unless otherwise noted, the poster presenter is assumed to be the lead author.

Checklist for Submission

• The initial review process is blinded. To protect blinding, do not include presenter names anywhere in the session content (e.g., title or abstract)
  • Do not include the names of presenters in the title or abstract.
  • Avoid naming academic medical centers or institutions whenever feasible. If inclusion is unavoidable (e.g., required for clarity, multi-site trial identification, or a formal program name), minimize identifying details and anonymize where possible (e.g., “a large academic medical center,” “a regional VA facility,” “an urban safety-net hospital”)
• Poster title (maximum of 150 characters, with spaces)
  • Title should be brief, unique, and interesting
• Presenter information*
  • Completed profile
  • Financial disclosure form
  • Presenter release forms
  • Please note that your submission will not be finalized and sent to grading until the poster presenter and all co-authors complete their financial disclosure and presenter release forms
• Co-authors
  • Use the "Add Co-Author" button to add any co-authors to your submission
• Overall poster abstract (maximum of 3,000 characters, with spaces)
  • The abstract should be a concise description of your session and how you plan to engage with your audience. 
  • For research-focused presentations, a structured abstract (IMRaD format) is permitted.  
  • Please do not include speaker names in your abstract. 
  • Accepted poster abstracts will be published as-is in the meeting syllabus and proceedings. Please proofread your abstract before submitting.
• References
  • Please do not include any references, citations, tables, or figures in your abstract.
  • List three or more peer-reviewed references published in the last five years to support your session content.
  • References may be formatted according to your preferred style guide. 
• Topic
  • Select one to two topics that best describe the overall focus of your proposed session.
  • Note: Residents and medical students are asked to review their proposal with a faculty mentor prior to submission.

Download Example

• Poster Example (.pdf)

*All presenters must create a profile and complete the required forms prior to submitting a proposal for review by the Scientific Program Committee. All presenters must be available to present at the meeting and must register for the meeting prior to the date of their presentation.

How to Submit a Course

Format Description

• Four-hour session
• Please note that the SPC may make title recommendation changes.
• Courses explore a major topic in greater depth than any other format, with a focus on the development of real-world skills attendees can put into practice upon completing the course
• Maximum one director and five faculty

Checklist for Submission

• The initial review process is blinded. To protect blinding, do not include presenter names anywhere in the session content (e.g., title, abstract, agenda)
  • Do not include the names of presenters in the title, abstract or agenda.
  • Avoid naming academic medical centers or institutions whenever feasible. If inclusion is unavoidable (e.g., required for clarity, multi-site trial identification, or a formal program name), minimize identifying details and anonymize where possible (e.g., "a large academic medical center," "a regional VA facility," "an urban safety-net hospital") 
• Course title (maximum of 150 characters, with spaces)
  • Title should be brief, unique, and interesting
• Participant information*
  • Completed profile
  • Financial disclosure form
  • Presenter release forms
  • Please note that your submission will not be finalized and sent to grading until all presenters complete their financial disclosure and presenter release forms.
  • Use the "Add Faculty" button to add faculty to your submission
• Educational objectives (maximum of 200 characters, with spaces, per objective)
  • Three to five learning objectives
  • Each objective will complete the statement “At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:”
• Course abstract (maximum of 3,000 characters, with spaces)
  • The abstract should be a concise description of your course and how you plan to engage with your audience.
  • For research-focused presentations, a structured abstract (IMRaD format) is permitted. 
  • Please do not include speaker names in your abstract.  
  • Accepted course abstracts will be published as-is in the meeting syllabus and proceedings. Please proofread your abstract before submitting.
• References
  • Please do not include any references, citations, tables, or figures in your abstract.  
  • List three or more peer-reviewed references published in the last five years to support your session content
  • References may be formatted according to your preferred style guide
• Agenda
  • The agenda should outline details about your lesson plan, teaching methods, and timing of your proposed session.
  • Please do not include speaker names in your agenda.
• Topic
  • Select one to two topics that best describe the overall focus of your proposed course.
• Self-Assessment Activity
  • One multiple choice question with four possible choices and one correct answer per question
  • Include an explanation of correct answer with one to three references published in the last five years
  • View Self-Assessment activity guidelines and example here (.pdf)

Download Examples

• Course Example 1 (.pdf)
• Course Example 2 (.pdf)

*All presenters must create a profile and complete the required forms prior to submitting a proposal for review by the Scientific Program Committee. All presenters must be available to present at the meeting and must register for the meeting prior to the date of their presentation.

How to Submit a Mental Health Innovation Zone (MHIZ) Submission

Format Description

• The Mental Health Innovation Zone or MHIZ showcases cutting-edge advancements at the intersection of technology and psychiatry through expert-led panel discussions with leaders from both clinical practice and industry during the APA’s annual meeting.
• The form requires a panel title, a short description of the panel, a suggested moderator, and a list of suggested speakers along with their bio/CV if available.
• There can be a maximum of 4 speakers and 1 moderator. There should be a minimum of 2 speakers and 1 moderator.
• Each panel will be either 30 or 45 minutes in length.
• All panels will take place on the Mental Health Innovation stage during the Annual Meeting from Saturday - Tuesday.
• The APA’s Committee on Innovation will review all submissions.

Checklist for Submission

• Completed profile
• Financial Disclosure form
• Presenter release forms
• Panel Title: should be brief, unique and interesting
• Panel description/brief abstract describing the key points you’d like to discuss
• List of panel speakers along with why you have selected them and their bio/CV
• Suggested moderator for the panel