National Sleep Foundation Conference Final Program Template

Please use this document to prepare your NSF conference program.  The first page contains a detailed outline of the program requirements (be sure to read this information carefully).  The actual template begins on page two.  Please enter your program details directly into this template.  When you are ready to submit the program, please email the completed file to your designated contact at NSF.

The program must adhere to the following guidelines (please read carefully):

NSF Format: The NSF program format is standardized.  The entire program outline is contained in the template below.  Please do not change any of the session or meal times, as these times are fixed.  All sessions must have an appropriate scientific title and the scheduled content (talks, discussion) must fit within the contracted times noted above.

Speakers and Discussion Leaders: Please include the full name and affiliation for all invited speakers and discussion leaders on the program.  Presentation titles for at least 75% of the speakers must also be included.  "TBA" entries for speakers and discussion leaders should be kept to a minimum.  However, it is perfectly fine to leave as many slots open as necessary for short/poster talks that will be chosen later. 

Speaker/Discussion Times: Time slots must be delineated for all speakers, as well as for the "discussion" periods following each talk (refer to the template below for examples).  It does not matter how you divide the time between presentations and discussions, as long as each speaker has his/her own discussion period, and the timing breakdown is clearly indicated.  NSF recommends a talk-to-discussion ratio 2:1 or 3:1.  The template below outlines NSF’s recommended format (3 speakers in morning sessions, 2 speakers in evening sessions), but you are welcome to schedule more or fewer speakers per session, as necessary.  However, please note that overcrowded sessions and limited discussion time very often result in timing issues and low evaluation scores, both of which will negatively affect your meeting when evaluated by our Education Committee.

Coffee Breaks: You are welcome to make minor adjustments to coffee break times and lengths in order to fit your particular morning schedule.  However, please keep in mind that the break should be 10-15 minutes in length.

Poster Sessions: Poster Sessions can be scheduled at most site (these default time slots are indicated in the template below).  Posters can also be scheduled after the evening sessions at most sites.  If you wish to schedule posters in the evening, please double-check with your Conference Coordinator first to make sure this option is available at your site. 

Contributors Section (Optional): The Chair request the recognition of an industrial contributors on the conference web page.  The NSF defines contributors as companies making an educational grant or unrestricted gift of $5,000 or more. In-kind supporters are not recognized. The contributor list is placed between the meeting description and the main schedule and usually consists of a series of logos linked to each organization’s web site (plain-text listings are also sometimes used). 

Additional program requirements and guidelines are noted in RED throughout the template below: