Frequently Asked Questions
Is event attendance open to the public or only early career investigators?
The event is open to the public but only early career investigators can submit abstracts.
Who is eligible to submit an abstract to the event?
Only early career investigators including students, post-docs, residents, and clinical fellows who are affiliated with the Harvard Cancer Consortium (HCC) can submit an abstract to the event.
Who is considered an early career investigator?
Students, post-docs, residents, and clinical fellows are all considered early career investigators.
When is the deadline to submit an abstract?
Friday, September 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm
How do I submit an abstract?
Go to the Abstract Submission page.
When will I find out if my abstract was accepted?
We will notify everyone who submitted an abstract about the accepted speakers and poster presenters by October 9, 2026.
My abstract was accepted! How do I submit my presentation materials?
Event organizers will contact you with specific instructions on how to submit your presentation materials after you receive your abstract acceptance email.
Are there any size guidelines for selected posters?
Yes. The size of physical posters must be limited to 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Posters must be in portrait orientation, not landscape. If you are using PowerPoint to create your poster, please use a slide with a maximum width of 36” and a maximum height of 48”. With these dimensions, the minimum acceptable font size is 28pt.
Where is the event located?
This year’s symposium will be an in-person only event, and it will take place at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Yawkey Conference Center. All presenters and attendees are required to attend the event in person.
How do I register to attend as an audience member?
Go to the Event Registration page.
Are there awards for the event?
Yes, the following awards will be presented at the end of the event:
- Best Oral Presentation
- Best Poster Presentation
- Most Promising Idea
The Harvard Cancer Consortium (HCC) Pathfinder program is pleased to offer $500 Travel Awards for these awards, selected by the HCC Celebration of Early Career Investigators in Cancer Research planning committee. Pathfinder Travel Awards are intended to support the career development of early-stage cancer investigators by assisting with their travel to scientific meetings. These funds may be used to cover meeting registration expenses, airfare, lodging or per diem costs related to scientific travel during the next 1.5 years.
What are the abstract submission guidelines?
Abstracts should be less than 2000 characters and contain no tables or figures. Please include your project title and full author list along with your abstract.