OHRI Research Day 2026

Research Day is a conference that celebrates research conducted by trainees across  The Ottawa Hospital, from discovery science to clinical studies to implementation. It includes oral and poster presentations, as well as keynote talks by guest speakers.

All members of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute are strongly encouraged to attend, especially trainees, scientists, clinician investigators and anyone else conducting research. Participation in Research Day may be considered in applications for scientific promotion/reappointment. Staff and residents at The Ottawa Hospital with an interest in research are also encouraged to attend provided they have permission from their supervisor.

Research Day is not open to the general public, however, there are opportunities for patient partners to participate. 

Yes. Residents who attend the full day of Research Day may claim up to 4.5 Royal College Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits. Partial attendance may be claimed based on the sessions attended, in accordance with program guidelines. Keep your registration confirmation and any proof of attendance provided during the event. Credits should be reported through your usual Royal College MOC reporting process.

Register through the OHRI Events System. If this is your first time attending an OHRI event, you must create an account in the OHRI Events system. Anyone with an OHRI, TOH, uOttawa, Bruyère, Ottawa Heart Institute or CHEO e-mail address can create an account. Email irissupport@ohri.zendesk.com with any technical issues. 

Yes! All attendees must register. 

You should attend OHRI Research Day if you want to be inspired by the incredible research happening in your community. OHRI Research Day is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues and spark collaborations. If you’re a trainee, you can present your research and get feedback on it, and maybe even win a prize. If you have a PhD or MD, you can also participate as a judge to help the next generation of researchers. 

Everyone at The Ottawa Hospital/Research Institute can submit an abstract, including trainees of affiliate investigators.  

All trainees (undergrads, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students and residents) can compete in the poster competition. Trainees can also self-nominate (or be nominated by their supervisor) to participate in the oral presentation competition. Note that anyone who gave an oral last year is not eligible to present an oral this year. Those chosen for an oral will not present a poster. 

When registering, please select the category that best represents your research:

• Discovery Science focuses on basic/lab-based research aimed at enhancing our understanding of health and disease, potentially leading to new approaches for diagnosis, prevention and treatment (see CIHR Pillar I Biomedical Research).
• Clinical and Applied Health Research focuses on people or data from people (see CIHR Pillars 2-4). 

The Patient Partner Link Award celebrates trainees who effectively communicate their research to non-scientific audiences and demonstrate a commitment to patient-oriented research. A panel of patient partners will evaluate abstracts based on clarity, relevance, and how well the research findings and their impact are explained in plain language. To participate in the Patient Partner Link Award Competition, select "Yes" to the Patient Partner Link Award option during registration. Submit a plain language abstract following the guidelines provided. Participants whose abstracts are selected for patient partner judging will be notified by email prior to Research Day.

No. Only one poster will be presented at Research Day.

Lay abstracts submitted for the Patient Partner Link Award will be reviewed before the event. A shortlist of abstracts will be selected, and the corresponding posters will be visited by patient partner judges during Research Day for a question-and-answer session based on the lay abstract. Posters will be evaluated based on how well presenters can present posters in a non-technical manner to patient partner judges.
 

Yes.

We ask trainees to make a special effort to ensure that their oral presentations are accessible to all non-specialists in the audience, including basic and clinical scientists as well as trainees and staff. Presenters are expected to attend a two-hour workshop to help them polish their presentation. Presenters must be available IN PERSON for their presentation. Substitute presenters will not be eligible for awards.

No, you do not have to present to attend. Many people just come to learn and network.

Yes. Only participants interested in the patient partner link award would be required to submit two abstracts.

• A technical abstract for their research day poster presentation.
• A plain language (lay) abstract for the patient partner link award competition.
   

No. Each abstract may be presented in only one format: either a poster presentation or an oral presentation. If you wish to be considered for both formats, you must submit separate abstracts.

The same project can be presented by two presenters, but they each must draft their own abstract.

Yes, someone else can present your poster. They will not be eligible for awards.

Posters must fit within 4x4 ft. See IRISGuide for an optional OHRI poster template, along with logos, icons and other design elements. 

No. OHRI does not cover the cost of poster printing. Poster printing will be borne either by the presenter or their supervisor. Posters can be printed at TOH printing service or externally. 

See TOHhub for more information on TOH’s printing service. You will need to provide them with:

• TOH Cost center number for billing (we do not accept other forms of payment)
• Final size you would like (maximum 4x4 ft)
• File in original format and pdf if possible
• Due date required

Please allow one week to process the order due to high volume.

This event is free for members of The Ottawa Hospital and the Research Institute. However, registration is mandatory.

The deadline to register and to submit an abstract is noon, September 30, 2026, however we may have to close registration early if we reach the capacity limit of the venue. If you register early, you can continue to log back in and edit your abstract up until the deadline.