The RQR Knowledge Transfer Committee invites you to participate in the second edition of the interactive poster competition in the form of a graphical abstract, an innovative and engaging way to showcase your research.
More and more journals now require the inclusion of a graphic or visual abstract with article submissions. This contest is a great opportunity to prepare for that format in advance and reuse your work later at conferences, science communication contests, or even during your thesis defense.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s a simple demonstration: which is easier to understand—text or image?
An infographic is 6 times easier to remember than plain text, shared eight times more frequently on social media, and articles that include one are downloaded three times more often. Approximately 80% of clinicians prefer infographics.
Why participate?
- To showcase your research and contribute to more accessible science
- To develop your science communication skills
- To strengthen your application when seeking scholarships and grants
Prizes ranging from $250 to $500 will be awarded to the creators of the best posters (maximum of three). The most interesting posters will be featured on the RQR website (rqr-repro.org) in a new knowledge mobilization section, and shared on RQR’s social media platforms.
What is an interactive poster?
An interactive poster is a digital science communication format that allows users to explore research content at their own pace using interactive zones that include text, images, videos, and/or audio explanations (you choose the format!). Get inspired by the best interactive posters selected in our last competition here.
No experience? No problem! Clear instructions and examples are provided. Once you’ve outlined your idea, creating the poster only takes a few minutes.
For any questions, additional information, or technical assistance, feel free to contact Dina Irsenco, RQR’s Knowledge Transfer Agent.
Eligibility
Who can participate?
- Students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants affiliated with an RQR member team
- One submission per participant
Required content
- A simplified graphic abstract that explains a core concept, a central aspect of your research, an innovative methodology, an experimental model, or the main issue addressed by your project. This summary is not a teaser to encourage reading your article, nor a narrative of your full research—it must deliver one clear, explicit, and memorable message.
Accepted format
Your poster must be created in H5P format (.h5p) and submitted by email to info@info-rqr.ca in a compressed .zip folder.
You can create your H5P interactive poster by downloading free software Lumi Desktop on your computer or directly from your browser.
- How to create a poster using Lumi Desktop
- How to create an account on h5p.org to build your poster in the browser
- Video tutorial: How to create interactive posters
Key dates
- Contest launch: September 17, 2026
- Submission deadline: October 30, 2026
- Results announcement: November 13, 2026
Evaluation criteria
1. Presentation
- Engaging title
- Minimal text on the main image (explanatory text should be placed behind interactive elements)
- Clear content organization
2. Interactive content (hotspots)
- Concise text (250–300 characters per hotspot)
- Simplified, accessible language
- Use of images (diagrams, photos) when relevant
3. Interactivity
- Between 5 and 15 interactive elements
- Smooth and logical navigation
4. Science communication quality
- No jargon, or clearly explained terms
- No undefined acronyms
5. Consistent narrative thread
- Clear main message
- Consistent narrative thread
6. Originality
- Creative presentation
- Adds value to the understanding of the project
Scoring grid
| Criteria | Weight |
| Quality of science communication | 25% |
| Coherent storyline (the poster tells a clear, logical story) | 25% |
| Originality | 20% |
| Minimal text on the main poster | 10% |
| Overall aesthetic presentation | 10% |
| 5–15 interactive elements | 5% |
| Engaging title | 5% |