For the best chance of acceptance, proposals should be timely and relevant to toxicology.
Before you begin preparing your proposal using the steps below, it is recommended that you review the video recording of the 2019 “Empowering the Endorsers: Developing Competitive Scientific Session Proposals” webinar.
You do not have to be an SOT member to submit a proposal for consideration. However, an SOT member must be listed to serve as a chair of the session, if accepted. You may serve as a chair for only one accepted session per Annual Meeting and as co-chair for only one (other) accepted session per Annual Meeting.
Use the expandable boxes below to view additional information and requirements for proposals of each session type.
These sessions emphasize quality presentations of a wide range of courses that cover established knowledge in toxicology, as well as advanced techniques or approaches for those with experience in the field.
Key objectives/considerations for these sessions:
The CE courses are taught on the Sunday of the SOT Annual Meeting. Courses are offered in three time slots—Sunrise, Morning, or Afternoon.
For the 2020 Annual Meeting, the CE Committee has developed a list of desired topics. These topics represent new realms of toxicology in need of a CE course, topics where an update or new course is warranted, and topics of noted interest to SOT members. Please note that proposals on ALL topics will be considered by the committee and this list is intended to encourage additional submissions.
For CE courses, there is a need for a balanced offering of courses, which is an important consideration in the selection process. There is a concerted effort each year to provide courses that update fundamentals, integrate advancing technologies, and provide advanced expertise. The intent of these courses is to meet the diverse needs and evolving careers of the SOT membership. To view a listing of past CE courses, visit the CE Course Archive.
Note: While the submission timeline is the same for CE courses as other Scientific Sessions, the development of the session has a different timeline than other sessions. CE courses are developed months before the Annual Meeting, with presentations finalized in by the beginning of January, obviating the opportunity for last-minute changes. Due to this accelerated timeline, the SOT CE Committee and staff provide significant help in forging and organizing courses, as well as supporting the course presenters in this process.
These sessions provide tools and resources to toxicologists that will enhance their professional and scientific development by identifying training needs and employment trends, among other opportunities.
Key objectives of these sessions include:
These sessions review a historical body of science that has impacted toxicology, including the work of multiple laboratories and the resulting advancement of the science.
* For a traditionally 80-minute session to be considered for a 165-minute session, the proposal submitter will need to provide a letter with clear justification of why the extended time is warranted when the proposal is submitted (see Submitting Proposals).
These sessions are not based on the outcome of specific scientific research but are sessions that present the latest science in toxicology or other learning opportunities not directly related to career development that address the professional interests and needs of toxicologists. The goal of these sessions is to provide attendees with tools and resources to ensure that the value of toxicology is widely understood, accepted, and utilized in enhancing human, animal, and environmental health.
Areas of focus for these sessions may include:
* For a traditionally 80-minute session to be considered for a 165-minute session, the proposal submitter will need to provide a letter with clear justification of why the extended time is warranted when the proposal is submitted (see Submitting Proposals).
These sessions focus on topics of relevance that describe public health and/or ecological problems of the region in question.
These sessions are moderated discussions on controversial topics, where the presenters provide three- to five-minute statements followed by balanced time for discussions and questions.
These sessions feature cutting-edge science that is exploring new areas, concepts, or data at the forefront of toxicology.
Sample Symposium Proposal for 165-Minute Session 
For 90-minute sessions, two or three speakers are expected, with three being the preferred format; no more than three speakers will be allowed. For topics that are more controversial or mature, the SPC is requesting the session organizers propose a balanced speaker roster to ensure input from all sides of the issue or all sectors of the SOT membership (in the case of matured topics). However, for less controversial topics or depending on the state of the science, the SPC recognizes that it may be appropriate to have only one or perhaps two membership sectors represented in the speaker roster.
^A limited number of symposia and/or workshops are designated Innovations in Toxicological Sciences (ITS) or Innovations in Applied Toxicology (IAT). ITS-designated sessions introduce new technologies or scientific disciplines to the membership, while IAT-designated sessions introduce innovative approaches in applied research. To apply for the IAT or ITS designation, you must submit a letter providing a clear justification for these designations when you submit your session proposal (see Submitting Proposals).
These sessions are informal, interactive presentations that highlight state-of-the-art knowledge in toxicology. These sessions should emphasize a discussion component.
Sample Workshop Proposal for 165-Minute Session
For 90-minute sessions, two or three speakers are expected, with three being the preferred format; no more than three speakers will be allowed. For topics that are more controversial or mature, the SPC is requesting the session organizers propose a balanced speaker roster to ensure input from all sides of the issue or all sectors of the SOT membership (in the case of matured topics). However, for less controversial topics or depending on the state of the science, the SPC recognizes that it may be appropriate to have only one or perhaps two membership sectors represented in the speaker roster.
^A limited number of symposia and/or workshops are designated Innovations in Toxicological Sciences (ITS) or Innovations in Applied Toxicology (IAT). ITS-designated sessions introduce new technologies or scientific disciplines to the membership, while IAT-designated sessions introduce innovative approaches in applied research. To apply for the IAT or ITS designation, you must submit a letter providing a clear justification for these designations when you submit your session proposal (see Submitting Proposals).
Keep in mind that while evaluating your session proposal, including your abstract and presenter choice, the Scientific Program and Continuing Education (CE) Committees consider the following:
Shared characteristics of successful abstracts
.Details on presenter availability and funding support
The earlier you start this step/process, the better the chance your proposal will be approved/accepted by the Scientific Program Committee (SPC) or the Continuing Education Committee. Over the years, the SPC and CE Committee have found that proposals which have undergone the editing and refinement process with potential endorsers prior to submission receive higher scores and ranks during the review.
Each endorsing group has unique, internal deadlines that are separate from the established SOT session proposal deadline. This pre-review is highly encouraged by the Scientific Program Committee. Please check with each group individually in advance of the deadline to ensure that your proposal receives the appropriate feedback before submission.
SOT Special Interest Groups, Specialty Sections, Committees, and other groups can serve as endorsers. You should reach out to your desired endorsers directly with enough time before the submission deadline to ensure sufficient time for review and revision. Each proposal can have up to three endorsing groups (one primary and two secondary).
Endorsing Groups and Contact Information
Financial Obligation: Endorsement of a Scientific Session or CE course does not imply a financial obligation by your group to fund nonmember speakers or provide any type of stipend or honorarium. SOT provides funding for a limited number of nonmember speakers per accepted session type: full funding (meeting registration, round trip airfare, housing for two nights, meals for two days, and ground transportation) or meeting registration-only support. Per SOT policy, no funding (travel or registration) is available for SOT members.
Timetable: Endorsing groups are asked to review session and CE proposals and provide scores, ranks, and comments to proposals where they are tapped as endorsers from mid to late May each year. SOT headquarters will provide complete directions on using the form to score and provide comments on proposals. Directions will be emailed to the endorsing group officers.
Specialty Section Guaranteed Acceptance Program: Each year, nine Specialty Sections will be granted with “guaranteed acceptance” on one session type of their choice (Symposium, Workshop, Roundtable, Informational, Regional Interest, etc.). Specialty Section officers will be notified well in advance of their group being tapped for one session proposal for guaranteed acceptance. The session the group selects for guaranteed acceptance must be submitted using the SOT session proposal site, just as all other session proposals are submitted.
The session chairperson serves as the primary contact for all communications with SOT regarding an Annual Meeting session. It is the responsibility of the chairperson to submit the proposal using the online proposal submission system (see Submitting Proposals). It also is the chairperson’s responsibility to ensure that the co-chair and presenters receive all the information relevant to the session if the proposal is granted tentative acceptance.
