Abstract and presentation

Abstract categories

The five categories an abstract can be submitted under are:

  1. Quality improvement and sustainability
  2. Clinical case reports
  3. Education
  4. Research or original work
  5. Foundation Programme and the arts

Foundation Programme and the arts was introduced for NFDPD 2026 and widens the scope for foundation doctors to submit work they have done that relates to the Foundation Programme. Examples of topics include a mental health initiative you have championed, poetry about life as a foundation doctor or a support group you have started as part of training. You can take inspiration from Humans of the Foundation Programme and the NFDPD 2026 abstract book to see what other foundation doctors have been involved in.

Guidelines and logistical information

  • The abstract submission window will be detailed on the NFDPD timeline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
  • All abstract submissions must relate to work undertaken during the Foundation Programme.
  • Abstracts describing work in progress are eligible, but abstracts should not relate to work during medical school (including during intercalated degree or elective projects). 
  • There must be no patient-identifiable information in abstracts or presentations. For this reason, patient consent forms do not need to be submitted as part of your abstract submission.
  • Abstracts submitted to or accepted at other conferences are eligible to be submitted to NFDPD.
  • Up to two applications may be submitted per presenting author. However, an individual will only be allowed to deliver one presentation should their abstract(s) be successful.
  • All abstract submissions will be reviewed by a shortlisting panel.
  • Only current F1 and F2 doctors in the UK or Malta are eligible to submit. Submissions from those who are not in a recognised UK or Malta Foundation Programme will not be considered by the shortlisting panel.
  • Work can be a collaboration with colleagues of other grades of training. However, only current foundation doctors, including co-presenters, are eligible to present their work at NFDPD.
    • There is generally limited capacity at the NFDPD venue. We try to accommodate co-presenters (a maximum of 1 co-presenter per presentation) wherever possible. We will confirm nearer the time if this will be possible.

Shortlisted abstracts will be selected to be presented in person at the National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day, as either a 10-minute oral or 3-minute poster (mini-oral) presentation.

Following the presentation day, abstracts of presentations delivered at the NFDPD will be published in the NFDPD abstract book (unless the presenter has requested their abstract to not be included).

The winning oral presenter will be awarded a slot to present their work in a UKFPO webinar in spring 2027.

Presentation types

All submissions will be considered for poster presentation, and a small selection will be accepted for oral presentation (except those where the author has opted out in the abstract submission form).

Oral presentation

Oral presentations will be 10 minutes exactly: 8 minutes to present and 2 minutes for questions.

Poster presentation

Poster presentations will be 3 minutes exactly: 2 minutes to present your poster to the judges and 1 minute for questions.

As a general guide, your poster can be either:   

  • A1 (59.4cm x 84.1cm) in portrait only   
  • A2 (42.0cm x 59.4cm) in landscape or portrait   

The display boards will not take larger posters, so any posters exceeding the maximum size limit will not be allowed to present. 

You need to print your poster and bring it with you on the day. Please also take it with you at the end of the day.

Detailed poster specifications (size, orientation, format, resolution and so on) will be confirmed to those shortlisted.

Submit your abstract

The abstract submission window is currently closed. Refer to the NFDPD timeline for up to date information.

Top tips for preparing and presenting

Research and abstract-writing

WE-R NHS has created a series of 9 videos on ‘Doing Research’ (available on YouTube for free). Aimed at the newer researcher, these videos cover a range of topics including research ethics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, setting up surveys and focus groups as well as much more. These free videos would be of interest to anyone undertaking research projects for the first time.

Oral presentation

  • What you say is more important than what is on your slides
  • Avoid having too many slides (a good rule of thumb is one slide per minute)
  • Keep slides simple (no more than 4 to 5 bullet points, short sharp sentences, lots of pictures)
  • Adjust the talk to the audience (this will mainly be foundation doctors)
  • Rehearse and then rehearse some more, to ensure you’ll be sticking to your time allowance
  • Avoid reading the talk from your slides (the audience can read!!)
  • Make eye contact (if this is challenging for you, look instead at pieces of furniture or other objects near where people are sitting!)

Poster presentation

You only have a short time to make an impact to the judges with your poster – plan and practice how to make the best use of this time. Every year our judges hear fantastic work presented clearly and succinctly in this short time, so we promise it is doable!

Have a look at a selection of resources previous NFDPD poster presenters have found helpful: