2026 AVA Conference: Call for Abstracts

Research Abstracts 

The AVA Conference Program Committee is now accepting abstracts to present research as part of the 2026 AVA Conference Research stream. The abstracts can be recent research, clinical projects, or a case series or individual case report involving any aspect of veterinary science. 

The research presentations will be held on Wednesday 20 May 2026, in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.  

Two $5,000 prizes will be offered for the best research presentation:  

• One prize will be available to AVA members with specialist qualifications or higher degree holders (Masters and PhD).
• The second prize will be available to AVA members who are  interns, residents and generalist clinicians. 

Poster Competition 

AVA will also be holding its ever-popular Research Poster Competition, providing an opportunity for veterinarians and researchers to gain recognition for their research or clinical work. Submissions for the poster competition will open Sunday 1 February 2026 and close at midnight (AEST) on Monday 20 April 2026.

Research Poster abstracts will be competing for 4 prizes.

Submission Portal 

To submit an abstract for the Research presentation, follow this link. The deadline for Abstract submissions is 13 October 2025.

Submissions for the poster competition will open Sunday 1 February 2026 and close at midnight (AEST) on Monday 20 April 2026.

The 2026 AVA Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 18-21 May 2026. The conference theme is 'Connection, Collaboration, Knowledge’, and will focus on neurology, behaviour, and knowledge exchange, delivering an enriching experience for all attendees.  

Esteemed global leaders in neuroscience and animal behaviour will join forces with Australian experts to present a carefully curated program designed to advance veterinary science and personal growth.  

2025 Research Day and Poster winners 

Research Day: 

• Mary Barton Prize - Peter Atkinson – Is Climate Changing the Landscape of Canine Heartworm Risk in Australia?  

• Daria Love Prize – Cathy Kneipp - Guidelines for the Management of Brucella suis in Dogs  

The AVA Poster Competition:  

• Young researcher prize – Schyla Butcher - Cranial Tail Amputation in Horses - A Case Series  

• First prize – Tamara Graham - Genetic variation of the canine mu-opioid receptor  

• Second prize – Louisa Johnson - A study of worker isoflurane exposure levels in Australian veterinary workplaces  

• Third prize - Pema Tshewang – Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from clinical samples from dogs in Australia