In 2023, SITC will offer 38 Young Investigator Awards recognizing excellence in novel research and providing young investigators with experience necessary for successful careers. Five Young Investigator Awards will be will be reserved for those who self-identify as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the Biomedical Sciences according to the NIH definition. The information collected in response to the self-identifying process will only be viewed by SITC staff and program organizers.

Regular Abstracts with primary and presenting authors that are students, postdoctoral research fellows, clinical fellows, or junior faculty with three or fewer years on staff and are current SITC members, may be eligible to receive a Young Investigator Award. Young Investigator Award Abstracts require a letter of recommendation as well as additional information regarding the percentage of contribution by the primary and presenting author. 

An abstract submitted for a Young Investigator Award that does not receive an award may still be accepted as an abstract for SITC 2023 and will be considered a Regular Abstract.

Additional Abstract Submission Fields

Submitters of abstracts that qualify for a Young Investigator Award and indicate they would like to be considered for a Young Investigator Award must include the following information in their application:

• Upload a letter of recommendation from a supervisor (.doc, .docx, .pdf)
• Confirm they are a SITC member
• Confirm they are a student, postdoctoral research fellow, clinical fellow, or junior faculty with three or fewer years on staff, and if so, identify which category they represent

• Indicate the percentage of contribution by the primary and presenting author in regards to conception and design, collection and assembly, data analysis and interpretation, and abstract writing

Important Dates for Young Investigator Awards

Young Investigator Award Eligibility

To qualify for SITC Young Investigator Awards, the abstract author must:

Young Investigator Award Categories

Eligible individuals that submit a Young Investigator Award (YIA) Abstract for SITC 2023 will be considered for one of the following award categories.

Young Investigator Abstract Awards are reviewed and selected by the Presidential Award Review Committee, which is comprised of the SITC Executive Committee and two nominated at-large directors. The Presidential Award Review Committee selects the four Presidential Travel Awards, who present during the Presidential Session, and the Abstract Travel Award recipients. In addition to the abstract information and requirements for Young Investigator Awards, the Presidential Award Review Committee takes into consideration the review scores and feedback of all reviewers as well as the contribution, institution, and background of the presenting author. The Abstract Travel Award recipients not selected for the Presidential Travel Awards and any other abstracts not selected for an award are still considered for oral presentation or poster presentation.

Abstract Travel Awards

Thirty-four Abstract Travel Awards will be presented by SITC to young investigators who submit an abstract to the society’s 38^th Annual Meeting. Those selected have the opportunity to present a poster of their abstract at the 38^th Annual Meeting and are eligible for an oral presentation during the Annual Meeting. Award recipients will also receive:

• Up to $750 in travel reimbursement (applied to SITC 2023)
• SITC Abstract Travel Award certificate and poster ribbon

Presidential Travel Awards

Four abstracts submitted in any category and authored by young investigators will be selected for an oral abstract presentation during the Presidential Session of SITC’s 38^th Annual Meeting. Presenting authors not selected for the SITC Presidential Award will receive a SITC Presidential Travel Award in recognition of their achievement. Recipients will also receive:

• Up to $750 in travel reimbursement (applied to SITC 2023)
• One-year complimentary SITC membership
• Presidential Travel Award certificate and poster ribbon

Authors selected for a Presidential Travel Award will present during the Presidential Session on Nov. 4, 2023, from 1:25–2:50 p.m. Each presentation will be 10 minutes in length, followed by four to five minutes of questions and answers. Oral presenters must be capable and comfortable presenting the abstract to a large audience and answering audience questions.

Presidential Award

Established in 1991, the SITC Presidential Award serves as recognition to the young investigator deemed to have the most outstanding oral abstract presentation at the SITC Annual Meeting. The recipient of the Presidential Award will receive:

• $1,000 honorarium
• Up to $1,000 in travel reimbursement (applied to SITC 2023)

• One-year complimentary SITC membership
• A commemorative Presidential Award plaque and a poster ribbon noting them as the Presidential Award Winner.

The Presidential Award Winner will be determined following the Presidential Session on Nov. 4, 2023, at the 38^th Annual Meeting. Individuals who have previously won the SITC Presidential Award are ineligible for the same award.