Principal Call for Abstracts
This call will open Monday, June 16
Abstracts submitted through the Principal Call for Abstracts are for the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care which will take place March 4-7, 2026 in San Diego, CA.
About the Call
The Principal Call is available to all professionals in hospice and palliative care, regardless of their discipline, practice environment, or career level.
Your input is crucial for influencing the future of the hospice and palliative care field. By presenting your evidence-based methods and significant work, you assist in the advancement of educational materials that enhance clinical skills, improve care delivery, and promote valuable professional growth.
Why Submit?
The Annual Assembly offers a premier national platform to:
- Advance Emerging Care Models: Equip the hospice and palliative care workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement innovative care approaches.
- Cultivate Interprofessional Leadership: Develop leaders across various disciplines to foster collaborative and effective care teams.
- Promote Inclusion and Well-Being: Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all healthcare professionals thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Encourage Lifelong Learning: Provide continuous educational opportunities to enhance professional growth and improve patient outcomes.
Abstract Submission Format
Submitters to the Principal Call will be considered for Podium (Oral) Presentations that highlight innovative models, clinical advances, and impactful experiences in hospice and palliative care.
The Co-Chairs and Planning Committee determine the final presentation length based on reviewers’ scoring outcomes, knowledge or skill needs, committee recommendations, successful mitigation of conflicts of interest (where applicable) and overall programmatic needs of the Assembly.
Submission Timeline:
- Call Opens: Monday, June 16
- Call Closes: Monday, July 14 at 11:59pm PT
- Principal Call Reviews: July 19- August 25
- Notifications: Monday, September 22
Abstracts not accepted through the Principal Call may be resubmitted to the Subsequent Call, provided the submitter meets the Early Career or Professionals in Training eligibility criteria.
Abstract Submission Fee: There is a $44 non-refundable abstract processing fee for submission of individual abstracts for peer review, to be paid upon submission completion. A $1.00 credit card transaction fee will also apply, bringing the total charge to $45 per abstract, payable via the credit card used at the time of submission.
A Subsequent call for abstracts will open in September 25, 2025. This call provides additional opportunities for hospice and palliative care professionals—especially researchers, early career professionals, and those in training—to showcase their scholarly work and innovative approaches.
Abstract Track Options
The 2026 program features targeted, evidence-informed education aligned with clearly defined practice gaps and professional competencies. Abstracts are invited across the following themes:
| Submission Theme | Focus Area | Ideal Submitters |
| Education | Curriculum, training, simulation, teaching innovation | Educators, fellows, program leaders |
| Hospice | Direct care, regulatory updates, team dynamics in hospice settings | Hospice teams, clinicians, operations staff |
| Innovations in Care | Technology, new models, QI initiatives, equity-focused interventions | Innovators, QI teams, systems thinkers |
| Leadership or Program Development | Leading and scaling programs, systems improvement, sustainability | Leaders, managers, administrators, QI teams |
| Pediatrics | Pediatric palliative and hospice care, lifespan integration | Pediatric clinicians, educators, researchers, adult-focused clinicians |
| Symptom Assessment and Management | Pain, distress, interdisciplinary symptom care | Clinicians, symptom-focused researchers |
Are you unsure about which abstract track to submit your work under? Download the 2026 Principal Call Abstract Track Guide to assist you in determining the most suitable track area for your submission.
Guidelines and Resources
For comprehensive information on abstract submission, including the review process, formatting guidelines, and practical tips, please refer to the 2026 guidelines and resources. These documents provide detailed instructions to assist you in preparing and submitting your abstract effectively.
- Guidelines for Principal Podium Abstract Submissions
- Principal Call Abstract Track Guide
- Navigating Cadmium: Abstract Submission Instructions
- How Principal Call Abstracts are Reviewed
- Abstract Submission Quick Tips
- Principal Call for Abstracts FAQ
Registration and Participation Agreement Acknowledgment
If your abstract is accepted, all presenting faculty must register and pay the fee for the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care and cover their own expenses.
Presenting faculty are expected to present live in person in San Diego, CA during the scheduled presentation time assigned by the planning committee at the time of acceptance notification.
Faculty and presenters are highly encouraged to participate in end-of-day Homerooms Sessions to engage with learners and colleagues in reflective discussions surrounding key learning points for practice application as well as provide feedback to individual learners and the group on your session outcomes.
Presenting faculty must prepare and submit an accessible self-recording of their session(s) before the opening of the Annual Assembly for on-demand access to all registrants. The presentation recordings submitted are to adhere to best practices in accessibility to ensure content is inclusive to all learners, including people with disabilities.
If you require assistance or have questions about the content of your submission, please e-mail [email protected] or call 847.375.4712 between 8:30am-5pm CT, Monday through Friday.