Abstracts & Grand Rounds

Please note that all presenting authors must be registered to be able to present at the ASM.

The Australian Rheumatology Association invites authors to submit an abstract to be considered for presentation or clinical grand round for the upcoming 2027 ASM. Abstracts will be published in a Supplementary Issue of the Australian Rheumatology Journal (ARJ), the official journal of the ARA.

For further information, please see the Guidelines & Conditions for submitting and rules on encore papers.  

Abstracts are limited to 300 words.

  • Call for Abstracts open in November 2026 and close midnight (AEDT) Sunday 7 February 2027.

  • Confirmation of accepted abstracts will be from mid-Mar to early Apr 2027.

Abstracts can be submitted under the following themes, but are not limited to the list:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Connective tissue diseases

  • Vasculitis

  • Muscle disorders

  • Paediatrics

  • Conditions that overlap with other specialties

  • Autoinflammatory disease

  • Methodology - clinical trials, clinical epidemiology

  • Imaging

  • Pharmacology

  • Crystal arthritis

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  • Regional rheumatology including non-inflammatory spinal pain

  • Basic science

  • Education

  • Reproductive health and rheumatology

  • Cultural safety

  • AI

  • Ethical behaviour

  • Extra articular manifestations of rheumatological conditions

  • Chronic musculoskeletal pain, including fibromyalgia

  • Models of Care

  • Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease

  • Spondylarthritis

  • Therapeutics (medications, adherence)

Submissions are invited for:

Call for Abstracts Submission

Due: Midnight Sunday 7th February 2027

Submit an abstract within the four basic themes of Basic Science, Clinical, Paediatric or Nursing/Allied Health (RHP) that is strictly 300 words.

Your abstract must be in the format of: AIMS, METHODS, RESULTS & CONCLUSION.

Deadline for applications:  Midnight ACDT, 7th February 2027.

Submit Abstract

Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship Applications + Call for Abstract Submission

Due: Midnight Sunday 7th February 2027

Submit a Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship Application and an abstract within the four basic themes of Basic Science, Clinical, Paediatric or Nursing/Allied Health (RHP) that is strictly 300 words.

Please note that when you apply you are limited to one abstract submission only.

Further details about the conditions of submission located here and further below.

Your abstract must be in the format of: AIMS, METHODS, RESULTS & CONCLUSION.

Deadline for applications:  Midnight ACDT, 7th February 2027.

Applications: Apply with abstract submission.

Innovations for Improvement Submission

Due: Midnight Sunday 7th February 2027

Do you have an idea that's been implemented/changed your clinical practice?

We invite all health professionals – doctors, nurses, allied health, pharmacists, researchers and beyond – to share innovative clinical ideas with a focus on real-world implementation.  From small changes that made a big difference, new pathways, tools, or new models of care that work, this session is about practical innovation from the frontline.

Total word limit: 250 words across three questions.  No formal data required. Early-stage and small-scale ideas welcome.

Successful applicants will be asked to present their innovation at the ASM: 5 mins presentation with 5 mins questions. Successful applicants will be notified by email.  

1. What problem were you trying to solve? (Briefly describe the clinical or service issue your idea addresses)

2. What did you change or implement? (Outline your idea and how it works in the real-world)

3. What happened or what did you learn? (Share early impact, outcomes, lessons learned or next steps)

Deadline for applications:  Midnight ACDT, 7th February 2027.

Submit innovation for Improvement

Clinical Grand Round Submission

Due Midnight Sunday 7th March 2027

Submit a case synopsis 250-500 words for the Adult or Paediatric Grand Rounds.

The synopsis should be a brief summary of the clinical case written in the abstract form, including patient consent.

Deadline for applications:  Midnight ACDT, 7th March 2027.

Submit Grand Round

Rules on Encore Papers
(Previously published or presented abstracts)


Please note encore papers can be submitted on the understanding that an Australian or New Zealand investigator will be registered to attend the meeting to present the abstract/poster.  Only the authors listed on the abstract will be allowed to present. The abstract will be withdrawn by the Programme Committee if this is not the case.  Encore papers will be considered as posters only. You will be asked to acknowledge this further on in the submission process.

Important Dates

November 2026 – Call for Abstracts and Registration opens

Sunday 7th February 2026 – Cut-off date for abstract submissions and Innovations for Improvement submissions

Sunday 7th March 2026 – Cut-off date for grand round submissions

Mid-March/Early April 2026 – Confirmation of acceptance of abstracts, innovation for improvement and grand rounds

31st March 2026 – Early Bird Registration Cut-off Date and Parental Grant Applications due

Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship

Applications are invited for the 2027 Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship. Up to TWO scholarships will be awarded to support an APLAR region applicant to attend and present at the ARA 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting to be held in the Darwin.

Up to two scholarships will be awarded to eligible applicants from the APLAR region to support their attendance and presentation at the ARA 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Each scholarship will include:

  • Up to AUD $2,000 towards return economy airfares.

  • Taxi transfers upon arrival and departure.

  • Up to five nights' room-only accommodation (twin/double) near the conference venue.

  • Full conference registration, including attendance at the Conference Dinner where the award will be officially presented to you by the ARA President (attendance is compulsory on acceptance of the award).

Additional Conditions

  • Applicants must arrange travel insurance at their own expense when booking travel.

  • Successful applicants are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

  • Previous recipients of the Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship are not eligible to apply.

  • Unsuccessful applicants who are unable to attend without financial assistance may elect to withdraw their submitted abstract.

Applicants must fulfil and are required to submit evidence of the following criteria:

* A rheumatologist, practicing in a country, that is a member of APLAR; and who is within five (5) years of completing their training or is currently in training.

* A copy of your abstract submitted for the 2027 meeting.

* Curriculum Vitae with a head shot.

Please note that when you apply you are limited to one abstract submission only.

Applications must be made via the abstract submission page.

Deadline for applications:  Midnight ACDT, 7 February 2027

Conference Awards

Details on the conference awards are listed here.

Presenter Information

Presenter information will be updated here in February 2027.