2026 Trauma competition: call for abstracts

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) has announced a call for abstracts for the 2026 Residents Trauma Papers Competition. This is a highly prestigious competition and the winner from our region (Region 15) will be flown out to the Annual Conference in Birmingham, AL, USA held in March 2026 to present their paper in competition with other regional winners from around the world.

First-place and second-place papers will be eligible for publication in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 

The second-place abstract winners will be eligible for a scholarship to attend the Mattox Vegas TACCACS annual meeting in Las Vegas. The scholarship program has previously awarded meeting registration and hotel accommodation. 

All Region 15 entrants will be able to present their papers at the ECTES Sweden 2026. Top three entrants may present at the ATLS European Association in Sweden 2026. 

Assistance will be given towards publication in the World Journal of Surgery or the Journal of European Society of Emergency and Trauma Surgery. 

Eligibility

The competition is open to all general surgery residents, surgical specialty residents, and trauma fellows. Only abstracts not published prior to 30 March 2026 in any peer-reviewed journal are eligible for participation. 

Scope 

The one-page abstracts should describe original research in any aspect of trauma care. The topics must be categorised as either: 1) basic laboratory research or 2) clinical investigation.

Time schedule for submission of papers

Please submit your abstracts by email to Agi Gizzi, Education Programme Manager at RCS England (agizzi@rcseng.ac.uk) by 20 November 2025. The winning abstracts in each category will be submitted to the Regional Chief and ATLS European Association (AEA) for participation at regional level. 

Additional information about the competition, eligibility and specification of the abstract, including template, can be found on the ACS website.