Can the Same Abstract Be Submitted to Multiple Conferences?

It depends on each conference's rules. Many conferences prohibit submitting the same work to several meetings at the same time, or require that the work has not been presented elsewhere; others allow it if you disclose. Always read the call for abstracts and, if unclear, ask the organisers.

Common policies

• Original, unpublished work only: abstracts previously presented or published may be excluded.
• No simultaneous submission: you may submit to one meeting at a time, or only if the meeting dates and policies do not conflict.
• Regional then international: some meetings accept work previously presented at local meetings but not at other major meetings.
• Late-breaking sessions: may have separate rules.

What to do

1. Read each conference's policy.
2. If you want to submit to more than one, ask each organiser whether it is acceptable.
3. Disclose in the submission form any previous or simultaneous submission when asked.
4. If an abstract is accepted at your first-choice conference, withdraw the others promptly and politely.
5. Update the abstract with new data when it is submitted to a later meeting, where appropriate.

Why it matters

Submitting the same work repeatedly without disclosure can be considered a breach of the conference's rules and, in extreme cases, of research integrity expectations, and can waste reviewers' time.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. A student wants to present at a national meeting in March and a regional meeting in May. The national meeting forbids prior presentation, so she submits there first. When it is accepted, she withdraws the regional submission or asks the regional organisers whether a different abstract with new follow-up data would be acceptable.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming it is acceptable because it is common.
• Not withdrawing duplicate submissions after acceptance.

Key takeaways

• Follow each conference's rules and disclose.
• Withdraw promptly when accepted.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.