Abstracts & Grand Rounds

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

We invite you to submit an abstract to be considered for presentation or a clinical grand round for the upcoming 2026 ASM.  Abstracts will be published in a Supplementary Issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

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

Abstracts are limited to 300 words.

The abstracts will be published in a special issue. 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 8th February 2026

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. The deadline for this is Midnight Sunday 8 February 2026.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT

Debashish Danda ARA APLAR Scholarship Applications + Call for Abstract Submission

Due Midnight Sunday 8th February 2026

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. The deadline for this is Midnight Sunday 8 February 2026.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT WITH APLAR Scholarship

Clinical Grand Round Submission

Due Midnight Sunday 8th March 2026

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

The synopsis should be a brief summary of the clinical case written in the abstract form. The deadline for this is Midnight Sunday 8 March 2026.

SUBMIT CLINICAL 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 2025 – Call for Abstracts and Registration opens

Sunday 8th February 2026 – Cut-off date for abstract submissions

Sunday 8th March 2026 – Cut-off date for grand round submissions

Mid-March/Early April 2026 – Confirmation of acceptance of abstracts 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 2026 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 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting to be held in Gold Coast, Queensland a 16-19 May 2026.

The scholarship will consist of up to AUD$2,000 towards a return economy airfare, taxi fares upon arrival and departure, up to five nights’ room only accommodation (twin/double) near the conference hotel venue, and full conference registration including the conference dinner.

Travel Insurance must be taken out upon payment of travel at the applicants’ expense.

Successful applicants will be responsible for their own visa applications.

Previous recipients are ineligible to apply. 

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

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 2026 meeting.

  • Curriculum Vitae.

Applications may be made by electronic submission via the Application Submission site.

Deadline for applications:  8th February 2026

Presenter Information

Presenter information will be updated here in February 2026.