Frequently Asked Questions

Where and how do I make a submission?

All submissions are made through our website. Please renew your membership (upper right box CURRENT MEMBERS START HERE) or join EPA for the first time (click the JOIN EPA tab above) before attempting to submit a proposal. Only EPA members, fellows, and associates with an expiration date of 5/31/2025 may submit proposals. After logging in as a current member, fellow or associate, you will be given access to the submission portal. The link to "Submit a Proposal" will not work until your membership is current (expiration date of 2025).  Click on the sublink that corresponds to your member type and follow the instructions.  You will not be able to submit a proposal if you click on a link that does not correspond to your member type.  If you would like to change your membership status or if you're having difficulty logging in, please contact epaexecofficer@gmail.com.

Do I need to join EPA to submit a proposal?

Yes, only paid-up members, fellows, and associates may submit proposals.

How do I pay my dues?

Dues may be paid on the website using a credit/debit card.  Please allow up to 48 hours for processing (do not wait for the submission deadline!). If you are not in our database, please click on the "Join EPA" button on the homepage and follow the instructions. If you are in our database, login by entering your username and password in the box labeled Current Members Start Here.  Then click on Renew Your Membership and follow the instructions. If you prefer to pay by check, send a check made payable to EPA to: Paul Schnur, 19122 Roman Way, Montgomery Village, MD, 20886.   (If you pay by check, you will have to wait for your check to be received before you can submit your proposal).

How much are dues/registration? How much does it cost to join?

The following table shows dues for all membership classes for the 2025 meeting.  

Early

Before 12/1/24

Regular

12/1/24- 2/21/25

Late

After 2/24/25

Undergraduate (EPA Associate)

$35

$35

$50

Graduate Student

$55

$55

$75

Member

$100

$125

$175

Notes:  EPA members may present one paper, one poster and one symposium as first (or presenting) author at the meeting.  Graduate students may present one paper and one poster as first (or presenting) author at the meeting.   Undergraduates (EPA Associates) may present one poster as first (or presenting) author at the meeting.  There is no limit on the number of presentations an individual may appear on as a co-author.  Graduate students my choose to register as EPA Associates, in which case they my present only one poster as first author.

Besides cost, what is the difference between being a member and an associate?

Unlike members and fellows, who may submit a proposal for a poster, a paper and a symposium at each meeting, associates may only submit a proposal for a poster. Associates may not present a paper or symposium.  Additionally, all poster submissions by associates require sponsorship by a current EPA member. If you are a member and receive an email asking you to sponsor an associate’s submission, please respond promptly.

If I am an undergraduate, how can I apply for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award?

EPA submissions with a first author who is a Psi Chi student member (undergraduate or graduate student) also may be submitted to the Psi Chi Regional Research Awards competition. To submit for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award, go to  https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.smarterselect.com%2Fprograms%2F75802-Psi-Chi--Regionals-&data=04%7C01%7CJennifer.Thompson%40umgc.edu%7C745aff80586345bcea5f08d98347162c%7C704ce3d6a4bf4e098516d52840c9f7a9%7C0%7C0%7C637685164615607605%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=e1mSsgxO8lIqAO2VAi4K3Nb%2FEEBgaY9XM3%2FHAGnW13c%3D&reserved=0 and submit the exact same long abstract as you submitted to EPA. To be eligible for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award, students must submit to both Psi Chi and EPA by the EPA deadline of December 1, 2024, 5:00 pm EST, must have their submissions accepted by EPA, and must present their posters at the March 6 -8, 2025 meeting. Submissions to EPA's Special Undergraduate Poster Session are not eligible for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award. Winners will be notified at the conference in March.

What is the difference between a poster, paper, and symposium?

If accepted for a poster presentation, you will be expected to present your work in the form of a poster during one of the many themed poster sessions that we hold in the main auditorium. Poster sessions typically have anywhere from 30-70 presenters.

If accepted for a paper presentation (members and fellows only), you will be expected to present your work in the form of a short oral presentation (e.g., power point presentation). This presentation should be anywhere from 10-15 minutes long. You will be presenting along side other members speaking on related topics. Paper sessions typically have 3-5 presenters.  Associates may not present in paper sessions or symposia.

A symposium brings together 3-5 researchers in the same area from different institutions who present and discuss their work. All presenters must be EPA members or fellows.

If there are multiple authors, who should submit the proposal?

Poster and paper proposals must be submitted by the first author, who should also be the presenter.  The symposium proposal must be the chair of the symposium. (The chair may also be a speaker.)

Besides being a member in good standing, what else is required while making a submission?

You must submit 2 abstracts of your work, a short abstract and a long abstract. The exception to this requirement is that Fellows do not have to provide a long abstract. Fellows should simply type "fellow" into the long abstract text box.  You can type directly into the text boxes for both but you may want to write your abstracts using a word processing program and and copy and paste text into the boxes. Remember that what you submit is final so please proofread your submission carefully. The text boxes will not accommodate graphics. 

Why are 2 abstracts required?

The short abstract is for publication in the pdf online version of the program and it appears in the mobile app. The long abstract is used by the EPA Program Committee to make the decisions as to which proposals are accepted.

What are the word limits on the long and short abstracts?

The word limit for the short abstract is 75 words. Long abstracts should be between 500-1000 words.  References do not count toward the word total and should be included in the long abstract.  

What do I do if my area is not listed among the available categories?

Choose the area closest to yours! Please do not make up a category as that may delay the review process. 

How do I know which day and time I will be presenting?

Proposers will be emailed in late December regarding the status of their proposals. The schedule will be posted in January. Proposers cannot choose a time to present.  Be prepared to be available to present at any time on Friday or Saturday of the meeting before submitting an abstract.  Exceptions will be made for observers of the Jewish sabbath (if you are observant, please note that on your submission).

What is the submission deadline?

All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 PM EST on December 1st.  

What is the required poster size for presenting?

Posters may be no larger than 4 feet high x 6 feet wide.

How do I register for the conference and where do I get my badge?

Conference registration is included with membership registration. Anyone planning to attend the conference needs to become a member and pay his or her dues. Members must log in to their account to pay their dues. Your badge will be available for pick-up at the registration table in the conference hotel. 

What do I do if my question has not been answered here?

Please e-mail the executive officer at epaexecofficer@gmail.com

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