Competition Guidelines

What is the competition?

The competition is a writing contest on topics related to clinical medicine, geared specifically to recognize papers authored by PA students. Faculty involvement must be limited to an advisory role.

Who is eligible?

All first- and second-year PA students, as well as new graduates. Papers must be authored by students while enrolled in a PA program but will be accepted from entrants who graduated within one year prior to the submission deadline. For jointly-authored papers, all authors must meet eligibility criteria.

What paper topics are appropriate?

Any topic dealing with clinical medicine or issues impacting the PA profession will be accepted. Works of fiction are not eligible. Topics must be germane to the PA profession, but authors may use any of a number of formats including but not limited to the following: essays on medical, social, political or ethical issues that impact the practice of medicine by PAs; clinical review articles; evidence-based reviews of a clinical question; and reports of original student research projects.

What are the prizes?

The first-prize winner will be awarded $500; the second prize will be $300, and third prize will be $200. If a prize-winning paper has more than one author, the cash award will be divided equally among the paper's authors. The top three authors will also be invited to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to present their entries during the AAPA 38th Annual PA Conference, May 29-June 3, 2010. In addition to the monetary prizes, winners' expenses for meeting registration, travel, and lodging will be reimbursed. In the case of jointly-authored papers, only the first author will be funded for travel.

Formatting Requirements

Authors must provide their submissions in the following format:

1. Each entry must include two MS Word files: one with the author(s) identified and one blinded file, that is, with all identifying elements deleted. Otherwise both copies should be identical. 

2. Submissions must be submitted electronically as Word documents, double-spaced for printing on standard 8.5" by 11" paper, with one-inch left and right margins.

3. Entries may not exceed 3,500 words (not including title page, abstract, legends, tables, figures, and references). Entries exceeding this length will not be considered.

4. The title page of the identified copy should include the following items:

Title of the paper

Name of author(s)

Name of PA program attended and dates of matriculation and anticipated graduation

Mailing address of the author(s), including zip code

Daytime phone number (with area code) and e-mail address

Acknowledgment of grant and other assistance (if applicable)

5. An abstract of 300 words or less must be included after the title page.

6. References should be numbered in the order in which they appear in the text. The author's choice of format should be used throughout the submission. References should be double-spaced, placed after the text on a separate page, but before any legends, tables, or figures.

Submission Requirements

1. This year a Student Disclosure Form has been adopted. Student authors should insert the requested information on their portion of the disclosure form and e-mail it to their program directors, who are requested to complete the form. Once completed, program directors must e-mail the disclosure form to PAEA staff. Disclosure forms will not be accepted from student e-mail accounts. Students may forward their own writing submissions to PAEA staff or request that their program directors do so for them. The disclosure forms and writing submissions need not arrive at the same time.


2. Submissions and disclosures must be received by February 15, 2010. Entries not meeting the guidelines or received after the deadline will not be considered. All submissions and disclosures should be attached to an e-mail message and sent to Ayeshia Ellington Pompey, manager, applicant and student services, PAEA, at apompey@paeaonline.org. Authors will receive an acknowledgment of their entries within a few business days. If this does not arrive, or if you have questions please call (703) 548-5538, ext. 312.