Participation

Poster Session & Innovation Marketplace

Complete the form here to submit an abstract for a research poster presentation or innovation marketplace exhibit. The submission window for abstracts closes on September 11, 2026.

We aim to showcase emerging research and innovations in technology-based solutions that address increased access to healthcare for unmet needs of women and children in underserved communities in Texas.

Abstracts covering the following subtopics are encouraged to apply:

• Innovations for Pre-natal/Obstetric/Postpartum Care
• Digital Tools for Women's Health
• Approaches for Accessible Women's Cancer Screening & Prevention
• Innovations to Detect & Manage Women's Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes
• Novel Interventions for Rural & Border Healthcare

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Format

You will be asked to fill in text boxes to detail your research or device innovation. A high-quality figure or image, with a caption, which supports your abstract may also be uploaded.

Research Poster – During the submission process, you will be prompted to complete sections of mandatory information needed for your abstract to be considered. You must enter 250 (maximum) words for the required fields, including:

• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Conclusions
• Discussion

Innovation Marketplace Exhibit – During the submission process, you will be prompted to complete sections of mandatory information needed for your abstract to be considered. You must enter 250 (maximum) words for the required fields, including:

• Introduction
• Need Being Met
• Successes
• Limitations
• Future work

Additional Information

Submissions do require a full author list to be considered complete. You will be able to access your abstract to make edits including adding presenters and/or authors until the submission deadline. Abstracts should be carefully proofread to avoid errors in the published literature. American spelling should be used throughout; for more information regarding American spelling, please refer to Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, Eighth Edition (Council of Science Editors, 2014).

• Any images, tables, or figures that support your work will need to be entered in a .jpg, .jpeg, or .png format. PDF files will not be accepted. We ask that you only submit one figure as supplement to your abstract submission.

General Policies

By submitting, if selected to present, you agree to register and attend in -person the 2026 Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference in Houston, Texas, on October 22-23, 2026. Selected abstracts will be notified by September 25, 2026. Confirmation of participation will be due by October 10.

Please be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the entire submission process in our portal before the deadline, as we will be unable to grant extensions due to programmatic scheduling.

Responsibilities of authors
By submitting an abstract for presentation at the 2026 Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference, abstract authors agree and/or attest to the following:

• Support for abstract/verification of authorship
• All authors accept individual responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of statements in their abstract, and the submitting author is required to ensure that all authors have confirmed that all statements are an accurate reflection of the presented data and have agreed to the submission of the abstract and to their being listed as contributors prior to submission. Authors will be notified of their inclusion in an abstract via email.

Presentation of research poster or Innovation Marketplace device
The submitting author for each abstract must designate a presenter who agrees to register for the meeting and participate in the corresponding session to discuss in detail the research or device innovation to be presented at the poster session or innovation marketplace, respectively. The presenting author(s) may register free of charge here.

If the assigned presenter cannot participate in the meeting, the authors are expected to designate a replacement. If no presenter is available, or if the presenter does not register for the meeting, the abstract will be withdrawn. Please do not submit an abstract if you do not plan to attend the conference or a presenter will not be available to be on-site October 22, 2026 from 12-2 pm at the BRC.

Final printed poster dimensions should not exceed 36” in height and 48” in width. Pushpins, display boards, and poster numbers will be provided. Posters or devices not retrieved by 5:00 pm on day two of the event will be discarded. You can store your poster or device with Rice360 prior to the event. Please make the necessary accommodations to store, print, and transport the poster or device ahead of time.

Confirmation of accepted abstracts
Authors will need to confirm your intention to participate. If Rice360 does not receive this confirmation by October 10, 2026, by the end of business day, the presentation will be forfeited.

Global to Local Innovation Cohort

We are looking for graduate students and medical trainees in Texas with a passion for advancing health equity and addressing gaps in healthcare in underserved communities to join the inaugural Global to Local (G2L) Innovation Cohort. Graduate students in engineering, digital health, business, public health and other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply. Medical students MS2 and above, including residents, are encouraged to apply.

The G2L Innovation Cohort will be vital to achieving impact during and beyond the Innovation for Healthcare Access conference through co-facilitation of catalytic work groups, submission of collaboratively developed grant proposals, and implementation of seed funded projects.

As a member of the G2L Innovation Cohort, you would:

• Receive $2,500 for a 6-month commitment (September 21, 2026 - February 28, 2027), with the possibility to extend for an additional 6-months (March 1 - August 31, 2027) and $2,500, for five (5) hours/week on average, which requires that you:
• Attend in-person the entire Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference at Rice University in Houston, TX, on October 22-23, 2026 @ 9am-6pm each day
• Attend weekly meetings in the weeks before the conference to prepare for your role as a work group facilitator
• Receive training on facilitation skills, needs finding, and the current landscape of women’s and maternal health in Texas
• Co-facilitate a “catalytic conversation” work group during the conference
• Attend monthly meetings post-conference for ongoing mentoring, project updates, and share ideas across the cohort
• Work with a small team of partners, including a Rice faculty PI, to develop a seed funding proposal – due November 30
• If seed funding awarded, collaboratively implement the project

To apply, complete the application form by Monday August 31st. The form will ask you to upload:

• Your CV
• A personal statement (one-page max) explaining why you should be selected for the G2L Innovation Cohort, including how your research/experience is related to one of the conference’s priority topics and what unique perspectives you bring to the problem
• A signed statement from your graduate/medical faculty advisor indicating support for your full participation

If you are interested or have more questions about the role, please email rice360conference@rice.edu.

Important Dates