The Research Symposium is on October 20th, 2026, from 1:00-5:30 p.m. at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m.
The Symposium presents key health policy research, bringing together multi-
The Virginia Health Policy Research Symposium will:
- Showcase innovative health policy research, data resources, and emerging findings from across the Commonwealth.
- Translate emerging evidence into actionable insights for policymakers, health system leaders, and community stakeholders.
- Catalyze new project ideas, pilot initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships.
- Engage students, trainees, and early-career researchers in Virginia’s health policy research ecosystem.
- Promote awareness and use of shared data infrastructure and research assets.
- Produce tangible outputs, such as new collaborations, priority research topics, and dissemination-ready insights.
Registration for the 2026 Research Symposium will be available soon. The registration fee is $75, with a special trainee rate of $25 available for students, residents, interns, and fellows. Trainees whose abstracts are accepted will receive complimentary registration to the symposium.
Registered attendees will have a full day of access to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on October 20th.
Please click here if you are interested in being contacted when registration is live.
The goal of the poster session is to provide a welcoming forum for sharing health policy research, exchanging ideas, and fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, policymakers, students/trainees, and community partners. We encourage submissions representing all stages of research – from early concepts and works in progress to completed studies – as well as program evaluations, quality improvement projects, and implementation research. Posters that have been or will be presented at other scholarly meetings are welcome.
What is Health Policy Research?
For purposes of this symposium, health policy research is broadly defined as research, evaluation, or scholarship that informs decisions affecting the organization, financing, delivery, quality, accessibility, equity, implementation, or outcomes of healthcare or public health.
Any health policy research is welcome. We are particularly interested in Virginia-specific projects and research related to rural health or primary care.
Early August: Abstract submissions open
September 11, 2026: Abstract submission deadline
September 25, 2026: Notifications of acceptance via email
October 20, 2026: Virginia Health Policy Research Symposium
Please click here to be contacted when abstract submissions are open.
Abstract Requirements
We intentionally keep submissions simple, as our priority is sharing and learning together. The abstract submission will include:
- Poster title
- Author(s)
- Affiliation(s)
- Abstract (300 words maximum, any format)
Further details on poster specifications will be shared upon acceptance.
Trainee Benefit
Students, residents, interns, and fellows whose abstracts are accepted will receive complimentary registration to the symposium.
Special Recognition
Awards will be presented to the top posters focused on:
- Rural Health
- Primary Care
In addition to the top trainee poster.
Reception Sponsor
$10,000
Maximum of 1 partner
- 6 tickets to the Research Symposium
- Logo on cocktail napkins
- Logo on Reception signage
- Half-page advert in Research Symposium program
- Recognition on the Research Symposium webpage
- Opportunity to supply promotional items in tote bags
Poster Session Sponsor
$7,500
Maximum of 1 partner
- 6 tickets to the Research Symposium
- Role recognizing poster session award winners
- Logo on Poster Session signage
- Half-page advert in the Research Symposium program
- Recognition on the Research Symposium webpage
- Opportunity to supply promotional items in tote bags
Networking Break Sponsor
$5,000
- 4 tickets to the Research Symposium
- Logo on Networking Break refreshments table signage
- Half-page advert in the Research Symposium program
- Recognition on the Research Symposium webpage
Symposium Sponsor
$2,500
- 2 tickets to the Research Symposium
- Logo on Research Symposium signage
- Logo in the Research Symposium program
- Recognition on the Research Symposium webpage
Founding Supporter
$1,000
Be a Founding Supporter of the Inaugural Virginia Health Policy Research Symposium and receive:
- 2 tickets to the Research Symposium
- Logo in the Research Symposium program
To learn more and sponsor the 2026 Research Symposium, contact Beth Bortz at bbortz@vahealthinnovation.org.