There is a limit of 2,500 characters including spaces. The 2,500 character limit does not include title or author list. For symposium submissions the limit is 25,000 characters in including spaces.

Each abstract should represent complete and original results. If you want to present a “Works in Progress” (e.g., design and methods of a large clinical trial) or a “Lessons Learned” (e.g., tips for other researchers) abstract, then this could be included in a panel discussion, symposium, or rapid communication poster, but not in a regular poster (until complete data is available). Note that rapid communication poster abstracts have a separate, later deadline than other abstracts. Submitting multiple abstracts in which the same data have been analyzed in different ways, or in which a study is subdivided into small sub-studies, is prohibited and will result in those abstracts being rejected. In addition, this action may result in the individual abstract authors being prohibited from submitting abstracts for future SBM annual meetings. Only if abstracts present unique information that could be published in separate journal articles will multiple submissions from a single project be considered (e.g., if they address theoretically unrelated/distinct hypotheses, if they utilize non-overlapping data/variables, etc.). If multiple presenters claim equal contribution to a project, then they can co-present the poster at the annual meeting.

SBM is committed to upholding the integrity of the scientific record. Submitters should refrain from activities that could damage the trust in the society, the professionalism of scientific authorship, and ultimately the entire scientific endeavor. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, presenting others’ data, text, or theories as if they are your own (“plagiarism”); misrepresenting research results; and fabricating or manipulating data to support your conclusions. If there is a suspicion of misconduct, the implicated author(s) will be contacted and given an opportunity to address the issue in a timely fashion. If misconduct is established or the author(s) do not respond to inquiries, this may result in the Annual Meeting Planning Committee rejecting the submission, removing the presentation, retracting the published abstract, and/or prohibiting the author(s) from submitting abstracts for future SBM annual meetings. Additional actions may be taken in accordance with SBM's code of ethics and enforcement procedures.

Poster abstracts submitted for presentation must be based on empirical research and report actual (not promised) results. Poster submissions, except for Works in Progress and Lessons Learned rapid communication posters, must also be based on empirical research and report actual (not promised) results. Abstracts for courses, panel discussions, and symposia may include empirical and/or non-empirical contributions.

Empirical work includes primary quantitative research (e.g., observational studies, clinical trials) and primary qualitative research (e.g., interviews, focus groups), with both requiring appropriate methods for gleaning insights (e.g., the use of appropriate statistics for quantitative data and appropriate processing of qualitative data, such as thematic analysis). Empirical research can also be of a secondary nature and involve the use of prior empirical work, such as review articles. Note that for these types of empirical contributions, the work does need to use accepted procedures for organizing and processing that information including both quantitative (e.g., meta-analysis) or qualitative (e.g., meta-synthesis, scoping or narrative reviews) approaches. Literature reviews that do not use an accepted protocol for organizing the literature and gleaning insights will NOT be considered empirical but could be discussed within courses, panels, or symposia.

Abstracts that have been published or presented elsewhere prior to the time of presentation at the 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions may not be submitted for consideration by SBM. Abstracts that were accepted for SBM’s 45th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions should not be re-submitted for the 2027 meeting. Work may be submitted for publication after the abstract submission deadline, prior to the annual meeting, and still be presented at the meeting (even if it is published prior to the meeting).

Authors are limited to participation as “presenter” in a maximum of three abstract submissions. Presenters of accepted abstracts must register for and attend the annual meeting.

Student SBM members can check a box in the abstract submission portal to have their poster presentations evaluated by a senior SBM member. Because of the Poster Mentoring Program’s popularity, interested students are selected via a random drawing. Selected students are matched with senior members based on common behavioral medicine interests when possible. Those senior members then stop by the student’s poster presentation to offer feedback and advice in person.

Each presenting author is responsible for his/her registration fee(s). Presenters who are unable to register for the annual meeting should arrange for another individual to present in person on their behalf. If changes to the listing of your presenting author are necessary, please notify the SBM national office (414) 918-3156 or info@sbm.org.

Abstract presenters who withdraw a presentation may be denied the right to submit an abstract for the 2027 SBM Annual Meeting. The only exceptions to this policy are (1) absence due to weather-related issues that hinder a presenter’s travel to the meeting, (2) absence due to a work-related emergency, or (3) absence related to personal injury or family health emergency. Miscalculation of travel costs by the presenter does not qualify as an acceptable reason to withdraw one’s abstract. In the event this occurs, no refunds will be given.

All abstract submissions must be in English. All presentations based on accepted abstract submissions must be made in English.

Submissions are especially encouraged that reflect the theme for the 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions: "Integrating Scientific Perspectives to Advance Discovery and Innovation."

The meeting theme is "Integrating Scientific Perspectives to Advance Discovery and Innovation." Routine integration of behavioral medicine evidence into heath policy, health care and public health is crucial to addressing the most pressing and interactable health challenges of our time. Increasing the pace at which we advance discovery and health impact requires inclusion of multiple methods and wide range of perspectives. The meeting will focus on innovative and powerful ways to integrate scientific perspectives and break research silos to develop effective, adaptable, and sustainable health solutions more rapidly.

Submitters will have the opportunity to declare their open science practices for the submitted work, including preregistered design, preregistered analyses, shared materials, and posted data. SBM is committed to promoting more open science practices among members and at the annual meeting. For more information on these practices and their benefits, see the Center for Open Science or other resources.