Q: What does it mean to be selected for a Block Symposium?
A: Every abstract submitted to the meeting is reviewed by AAI members called Abstract Programming Chairs (APCs), expert in that field. The APCs select outstanding abstracts for oral presentation at the meeting. This honor highlights exciting science.
Q: How do I indicate I want to be considered for this award?
A: Any AAI Trainee member who submits a first-author abstract to IMMUNOLOGY2021™ automatically will be considered, provided that you meet all eligibility requirements above and select the option during abstract submission that indicates you are willing to make an oral (Block Symposium) presentation at the meeting. NOTE: If you select “POSTER ONLY,” you will NOT be considered for this award.
Q: How do I know that my abstract submission is complete?
A: Your abstract submission is complete when you have paid the abstract submission fee and received an email confirmation.
Q: If I am selected for an oral presentation and cannot attend the meeting, will I still get the award?
A: No. To be eligible for the award you must attend the virtual meeting and make both the oral (Block Symposium) and poster presentations.as scheduled.
Q: Can someone else make my presentation for me?
A: Occasionally someone else makes a presentation due to a legitimate emergency situation; however, the award will not be given to them or to the author who does not present.
Q: What if I have more than one abstract and they are BOTH selected for oral presentation in Block Symposia?
A: No individual may receive more than one award.
Q: I think I am already a Trainee Member (or I used to be). How can I check?
A: Send an email to members@aai.org and AAI staff will let you know.
Q: I don’t have any publications yet. May I still become a Trainee Member?
A: Yes! There is no publication requirement! You must be enrolled in a graduate program and have an advisor or department chair vouch for you and sign the Trainee Certification Form (PDF).
Q: How much does it cost to become a Trainee Member?
A: $64 for graduate students and $85 for postdoctoral fellows for the year – and this includes a personal subscription to The Journal of Immunology, a subscription to the AAI Newsletter, reduced registration fees to AAI meetings and courses, regular AAI mailings and email alerts, and more.
Q: How long do I have to wait to become a Trainee Member
A: Trainee members are approved and enrolled as soon as we receive a completed application, a signed Trainee Certification Form (PDF), and payment.
Q: I am a postdoctoral fellow and an AAI Regular Member. May I be considered for this award?
A: Yes. You must have paid your 2021 membership dues by January 26, 2021; completed submission of a first-author abstract to the AAI annual meeting by January 26th; and have uploaded a signed Trainee Certification Form (PDF) to your AAI member profile by January 26th.