91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ


 

Frequently Asked Questions


 

General Questions

Where is 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 being held?

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001


Where can I find the meeting schedule?
The full online is available. 

 

Abstract Questions

Do I need to register for 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 in order to present my abstract? What is the deadline for abstract presenters to register?
Yes, all abstract presenters must register for the meeting no later than Wednesday, April 1. Failure to register by 11:59pm April 1, 2026, will result in the withdrawal of your abstract from the scientific program.

The registration deadline listed on the registration page does not apply to abstract submitters.

Does the presenting author have to be a member of 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ?
91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ membership is not required to submit or present an abstract. However, membership is required to apply for and receive an 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Award or Travel Grant.

May I submit more than one abstract?
Presenting authors may submit up to three unique abstracts. Only one abstract may be presented each day. If you have three abstracts accepted, you will have one presentation scheduled over three days: Friday, June 5; Saturday, June 6; and Sunday, June 7.

What is the abstract submission fee?
There is no fee to submit an abstract at this time.

Who can I contact for technical support with the submission site?
For technical support, contact: asm@support.ctimeetingtech.com, 217-398-1792. Support hours are Monday—Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT.

When is Abstract submission open?
Early Abstract Submission:  Wednesday, Nov. 12—Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. ET.

Early Abstract Decisions Communicated: on/about Tuesday, Dec. 16 (accept/reject only, sessioning information for accepted abstracts will be released March 4).

Regular Abstract Submission:  Wednesday, Dec. 3—Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m. ET.

Regular Abstract Decisions Communicated: March 4.

Submission deadlines are firm. Late submissions will not be accepted for review.

What is an Early Abstract versus a Regular Abstract?

An Early Abstract is a mechanism for abstract submitters who need an early decision for a VISA to submit and be reviewed, with a decision communicated on/around Dec. 16, 2025. To utilize this option, submit during the Early Abstract submission period from Wednesday, Nov. 12—Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. ET.  No early abstract submissions will be accepted after this time. 

Note: sessioning information will not be communicated until March 4.
 
The Regular Abstract submission period is intended for submitters who do not require additional time to acquire a VISA for travel to the United States to present their abstracts if accepted. Regular Abstracts may be submitted from Dec. 3—Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m. ET. They will be reviewed in the regular window with dispositions being sent on/around March 4, 2026.  


If I have more than one abstract that is accepted for presentation, how can I guarantee they will not be scheduled at the same time?
For a meeting of this size, it is not possible to consider special scheduling requests. If two or more abstracts are scheduled at the same time, you are invited to have a co-author present one of the abstracts.

Should the presenting author be the submitter of the abstract?
Yes, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ considers the submitting author to be the presenting author. Contact information is collected for the submitter and the presenting author. 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ will only correspond with the presenting author of the accepted abstract. This policy ensures that the presenter knows when and where to present the abstract.

Note: If you and a colleague are both submitting an abstract, there is no guarantee that both will be placed into the same session(s), if accepted. Due to the size of the meeting and the number of presentations, we will not accept special scheduling requests for abstract presentations.

Can I request a specific day to present my abstract?
Due to the size of the meeting and the number of presentations, we will not accept special scheduling requests for abstract presentations.

Can I add an author or remove an author from my abstract?
Authors can be updated up to the submission deadline. Requests after this date will not be accommodated.

All abstracts are considered complete at the time the submission portal closes.

The abstract I submitted has three authors from two different affiliations, but my online view of the author block of my abstract shows three different affiliations. Did I do something wrong?

Yes. If you and your co-authors come from more than one affiliation, be sure to type common affiliations in exactly the same manner. Review the author block when displayed to see if the correct numbers of affiliations are displayed.


If I am submitting through 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s website, how should I organize the research in my abstract?
Your abstract may be written without the use of the following bolded headers: 
  • Background.
  • Materials.
  • Results.
  • Conclusion.
Follow the abstract guidelines to ensure all required information about your study is provided in your abstract.  

If I am submitting through 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s website, how can I save a copy of my abstract submission?
We recommend that you prepare and save a copy of your abstract in your personal electronic files before going to 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s web page. After your submission is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.

What is the Embargo Policy?
All early and regular 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe abstracts will be embargoed until May 4, 2026. Late-breaking abstracts will be embargoed until May 28, 2026. Embargo times and dates will be clearly marked on all press releases.
 
Press releases and other promotional activity by third parties must coincide with the date and time of the presentation. 

When asking for outside comments on press releases or news stories before the embargo has lifted, journalists are requested to ensure that the embargo is respected. 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ reserves the right to ban any journalist from the meeting who breaks the embargo or breaches the media policy in any other way. 

If your research has already been published, please contact the 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ communications office to discuss how to handle promoting your abstract at communications@asmusa.org

Is there a limit on how long my abstract can be?
Yes. Your abstract may have a maximum limit of 2,200 characters, which does not include tables/graphics or spaces. Title, authors, groups and institutions do not count toward the character count maximum. 
 
A Times New Roman Font is recommended. Avoid use of fonts specific to the software application you use. This is particularly true for symbols, as some character sets do not translate well, resulting in lost information. 
 
Note: An additional entry line has been added to the electronic submission to accommodate credits, footnotes, etc.; a character limit of 300 is applied to this field but does not count toward the character count of the abstract body.

How do I know that my abstract submission was received?
The Abstract Submission system will provide a control number as soon as you complete the affirmations and provide a title for your abstract. As you complete individual steps in the process, the system will display the results. At the end of the process, a final summary page will be immediately displayed with all information successfully received. You may edit your abstract until the submission deadline of Jan. 21, 2026, 2 p.m. ET. No further changes can be made after submission closes. Your abstract must show as complete or finalized when submission closes in order to move to the review stage. Incomplete abstracts will not be reviewed.
 

The summary page states that my abstract is Complete. Does this mean that my abstract has been accepted?
No. If your abstract is "Complete," it means you have completed all the steps required to be reviewed. Abstracts are assigned to the reviewers in January. Disposition letters will be e-mailed to submitters on/about March 4, 2026.

If my abstract is rejected, can I address the reviewer’s concerns and ask for a new review?
No. Programming decisions are final.

Do I need to register for 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 in order to present my abstract? What is the deadline for abstract presenters to register?
Yes, all abstract presenters must register for the meeting no later than Wednesday, April 1. Failure to register by 11:59pm April 1, 2026, will result in the withdrawal of your abstract from the scientific program.

The registration deadline listed on the registration page does not apply to abstract submitters. 

 


I cannot attend in person, am I able to select a virtual presentation?
No, all presentations are expected to be made in person. In-person attendance is required.

 


How do I apply for a travel award?
The 2026 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe Travel Award application process is separate from abstract submissions. Do not submit an abstract during the Early Abstract submission window if you apply for a travel award. Applicants will submit an abstract as a requirement of the Travel Award selection criteria. If an applicant is selected for a Travel Award, the abstract will automatically be accepted for presentation at 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 and they will be sent additional instructions. 

Travel Awards applications will be open from Oct. 15 through Dec. 2. Applicants will be notified if they are selected to receive an award by Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.  
 
Applicants not selected to receive a Travel Award may submit an abstract for review through the 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 abstract submission site after Travel Award notifications are issued on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Regular abstract submissions close on Jan. 21, 2 p.m. ET. 
 
Important note: Please do not submit an abstract for consideration through the abstract submission site if your participation at 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe is dependent on receiving a Travel Award to fund your participation.

Eligibility requirements to be considered for all travel award submissions:
  • Current 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ member at the time of application.
  • Scientific abstract not previously published or presented at another conference. 
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) including scientific focus area.
  • Two letters of nominations on institution letterhead written by the Department Chair and Principal Investigator or immediate Director.
  • Not previously a recipient of an 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe travel award within the last 2 years. 
Travel award funds are non-transferable and will be provided following the conclusion of 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 upon confirming awardee’s attendance at the meeting.

I am not able to get a travel visa in time for the meeting; what happens to my abstract?
If you are unable to secure a visa in time for travel to the meeting, and you do not have a co-author who can present in your absence, you must withdraw your abstract. If you do not receive visa status by April 1, you must register for the meeting, or your abstract will be withdrawn. Registration may be cancelled by May 14 to receive a full refund minus a $50 cancellation processing fee. All cancellations must be emailed to microbe@maritz.com and received by May 14, 2026. After this date, registration refunds will not be issued due to inability to secure a visa. 

What is the deadline for withdrawal without penalty?
To withdraw your abstract without incurring a penalty, you must do so by April 1, 2026. You can withdraw your abstract by sending an email to asmmicrobemtgprogram@asmusas.org, referencing the control number of the abstract you wish to withdraw.

If my abstract has been previously presented at a meeting/conference, will my abstract still be accepted for 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026?
Encore abstracts are not permitted, however, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ will consider "adapted" or "repurposed" submissions that overlap with the original abstract but contain new/additional data, analyses and/or interpretations. It is the responsibility of the author to verify copyright with the organizer of the meeting where the original abstract was presented.
 
What are some examples of abstracts that may be rejected?
  • Abstracts that are general descriptions of a new product.
  • Abstracts that read like advertisements.
  • Abstracts that are a general description of managerial innovation.
  • Case reports (unless truly remarkable).

What are some examples of abstracts that may be rejected?
  • Abstracts that are general descriptions of a new product.
  • Abstracts that read like advertisements.
  • Abstracts that are a general description of managerial innovation.
  • Case reports (unless truly remarkable).

When can I access the poster hall to set up or take down my poster?
This information will be provided closer to the date of the conference.

What is the plagiarism policy?

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in submitted abstracts. All submitted abstracts identified with plagiarism will be sent to the program committee for review and handling.   

The NIH ORI publication.

  

 


I am a Presenter (speaker or abstract) and I lost my invitation; where do I find information about my abstract and my presentation schedule?

All information related to your abstract submission is available in your within the Tasks tab.  

  

 


What is the copyright policy?

Please refer to the 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Copyright Policy to learn more.
 

 


 

Registration Questions

Is registration open?
Registration for 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Microbe 2026 opens in early Jan. 2026.

Who can I contact if I have a question during the registration process?
If you need assistance with your registration, payment or housing, please contact Maritz Global Events Customer Service: Monday—Friday | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET.

Attendee: microbe@maritz.com.
Exhibitor: microbeesh@maritz.com.