CALL FOR FREE & AWARD PAPERS FOR PRESENTATION AT NEOCON 2025

The National Neonatology Forum invites submission of research papers from all NNF members as well as non-members, desirous of presenting their work during NEOCON 2025, the 44^th Annual Convention of the National Neonatology Forum to be held from December 11^th to 14^th, 2025 at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

(A) Category: Free Papers

The submitted papers will be evaluated by a screening committee for their inclusion either as an “Oral Presentation” or as a “Poster Presentation”. The authors will be intimated accordingly. Those delegates desirous of presenting their work only as a poster should mark the submission as “POSTER ONLY”

SUBMISSION FORMAT

1. Abstract Format: The Abstract should not be more than 250 words(excluding title and author names). It should be structured as follows(except for Case Reports):
(a) Introduction,(b)Aims & Objectives,(c)Material & Methods (including statistical methods where relevant),(d) Results and(e)Conclusions.

2. The abstract should include title,authors’names (with the presenting author’s name underlined) and the place of study. It should also indicate the sub-specialty category as indicated below. The text should be typed in Times New Roman Font,size 11,single space.

Instructions:

1. The NNF members should quote their Central NNF membership number, while making the submission.

2. Registration for the conference is mandatory for both NNF members and non-members, as per applicable rates, in case the papers are accepted for presentation. Registration must be completed within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance.

3. Ensure that you keep a copy of the acknowledgement from Central NNF for the papers submitted by you.

4. List of Sub-specialty categories under which abstract can be submitted:
a. Cardiology (CAR)
b. Community Neonatology (CP)
c. Endocrinology (ENDO)
d. Gastroenterology (GE)
e. Genetics (GENE)
f. Growth & Development (GD)
g. Hematology-Oncology (HO)
h. Infectious Diseases (ID)
i. Intensive Care (IC)
j. Nephrology (NEP)
k. Neurology (NEU)
l. Nutrition (NUT)
m. Quality improvement (QI)
n. Respiratory (RESP)
o. Miscellaneous (MISC)

• Innovations (Separate category)

The authors of few papers in poster category will be called up for brief presentation and interaction in the Poster Plenary session based on merit of the paper and subject interest as assessed by the evaluation committee.

(B) Category: Award Papers

Research papers can be submitted for the following Awards–
• NNF Gold Medal
• Social Neonatology Gold Medal

Instructions:

1. Only one paper for the award category will be accepted from anyone NNF Member.

2. Presenting author must be a member of central NNF (should quote their Central NNF membership number while submitting their paper). Papers from non-members will not be accepted for award category.

3. Registration for the conference, as per applicable rates, is mandatory for those whose papers have been accepted for presentation.Registration must be completed within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance.

4. The age of the first author for submission of award paper should be less than 45 Years as on January 01,2025.

5. The total number of authors should not exceed five.There is no age restriction for co-authors.

6. Any author who has been recipient of the award in the past for which the paper is being submitted is not eligible to submit a paper for the same award category again;however she/he can be a co-author.

Submission Format

• The FULL award paper and its abstract should be submitted in the style of “Journal of Neonatology” ( max. 3000 words, excluding abstract, tables, figures and references; abstract word limit is 250 words, 3- 5 tables and figures)(see: Journal of Neonatology- https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/NNT)

• The author and institution details should be mentioned only on the title page of the paper. Rest of the paper including the methods section should not contain any identifying information to allow blinded evaluation.

• The abstract should be structured as follows: (a) Introduction, (b) Aims & Objectives, (c) Materials & Methods(including statistical methods where relevant) (d) Results (e) Conclusions. The abstract should not exceed 250 words.

• The submitted manuscript should be typed in Times Roman Font,size11 (double space)

Note: The papers submitted for the award category which are not accepted for presentation, will be considered for oral presentation in the free paper category as per the decision of the evaluation committee.

Notification of selection of papers: The Evaluation Committee will review all submitted papers. The decision of acceptance / rejection will be sent to the first authors indicated in the papers, by mentioned deadline. Authors may contact the NNF office at [email protected] if they have not received any intimation by that time.

Best poster awards

All posters, irrespective of the sub-specialty category in which submitted, shall be considered for the “Best Poster Award"&"Best Innovation Poster Award”. Judging will be based on scientific merit, visual presentation, and the potential significance of the clinical research. Detailed instructions for poster paper presenters will be sent after the selection process is complete.

Registration for the Conference: It is mandatory for all those whose submitted papers have been accepted for presentation at NEOCON 2025 to be registered for the conference (the conference registration fee will be as applicable at time of registration).

Publication of Abstracts: The abstracts of the papers that have been accepted for presentation will be published in proceedings of NEOCON-2025.

For any clarifications, please write to [email protected] or [email protected]