Award for Outstanding Student or Post-Degree Abstract – International Society for Disease Surveillance

The purpose of the ‘Award for Outstanding Student or Post-Degree Abstract’ is to increase interest and participation in the International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS), especially in its Research Committee and annual conference, as well as recognize the exemplary work being done by students or recent students in the field of biosurveillance.

Two researchers are selected (see decision section below) and awarded:

• An oral presentation slot to disseminate their innovative work in one of the conference tracks (see descriptions):
  • Methods and Science in Surveillance
  • Informatics and Data Science
  • Policy (at local, state/provincial, national, or international levels)
  • One Health and Health Security
  • Public/Population Health Surveillance Practice
• Waived registration for Pre-Conference Training (December 6) and Conference (December 7-8)
• 2 nights at the Atlanta Sheraton
• Certificate of achievement
• Recognition on 2016 ISDS Conference materials, as well as during the Conference Awards Ceremony

Ten additional student researchers receive:

• Half-off regular student registration to the 2016 Annual Conference

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered for an ISDS ‘Award for Outstanding Student or Post-Degree Abstract,’ you must be:

• Enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or equivalent program or be in a post-graduate training program within two years of school in a surveillance-related field (e.g. epidemiology, informatics, statistics).
• An ISDS member (Student rate: $30 – if you are not currently a member, you may join here).

If you have questions about the criteria, please email Catherine Tong at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Application Process (CLOSED)

We ask that applicants:

1. Submit an abstract by the September 9, 2016 deadline for the 2016 ISDS Conference in any ‘Track.’

2. Complete the online application, which will be reviewed by an ‘Award Committee,’ by September 23, 2016. We require the following materials:

• Name, address, school, and program
• Proof of student standing or recent student statnding – a scanned copy of your unofficial transcript and student ID (transcript will only be used to confirm eligibility and will NOT be a factored into the award decision)
• Short statement about financial need, how information learned at the 2016 ISDS Conference will benefit you, and how this information will benefit your academic community (no more than 500 words).

Application is CLOSED. Please come back next year to apply for the 2017 Award for Outstanding Student or Post-Degree Abstract.

Please contact Catherine Tong, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , for any questions about the application process .

Application Review Process

• Abstracts are reviewed and scored by the Conference Scientific Program Committee (SPC). Those accepted for presentation at the Annual ISDS Conference are sent to the Research Committee (RC) for further review. *NOTE: The abstract score will be taken from the average score obtained through the SPC’s abstract review process.
• The RC convenes a group to review the accepted applications.
• Each personal statement is sent to a single reviewer and is reviewed for strength, using the attached rubric (pdf).
• Abstracts are reviewed and scored again by the assigned RC reviewers.
• The scores are totaled and directly compared to determine the final awardees.

Winners will be notified on October 17, 2016.

Past Awardees

2016 Awardees

2015 Awardees

2014 Awardees

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