Meetings

42 Wins, 1 Wall: Overcoming Financial Barriers to Present at ASC

The Cost of Success: How 42 Abstracts Revealed the Price of Opportunity

Our team proudly achieved acceptance for 42 abstracts at the 20th Annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC) — a testament to our hard work and dedication. But beneath the celebration lies a significant challenge: the high cost of registration. As fresh graduates from a low-income country, we face financial hurdles that threaten our ability to participate. Despite reaching out for support, flexibility was denied, highlighting the inequities in access to academic opportunities. We’re sharing our story to raise awareness and call for solutions that promote fairness and inclusion in research. Let’s discuss equity in academia! #ASC2025 #ResearchAccessibility #AcademicEquity

From Triumph to Trial: My Journey to Present 42 Abstracts at the 20th Annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC)

Introduction Getting accepted to present a research abstract at a prestigious conference is a dream for many early-career researchers. Now, imagine being accepted for 42 abstracts at once! This incredible milestone was a moment of pride and validation for me as a fresh graduate from a low-income country striving to contribute to the global research community. However, alongside this triumph came an unexpected challenge — the steep financial burden of registration fees. This aims to share my experience, highlight the hurdles I faced, and open the floor for discussion and support from those who have walked a similar path.

The Euphoria of Acceptance When I received the notification of acceptance from the 20th Annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), my heart swelled with joy. Not one, not two, but 42 abstracts had been accepted. This was a monumental achievement for me as a young researcher. It felt like all the late nights, endless revisions, and unwavering determination had finally paid off. The ASC is a global stage where groundbreaking surgical research is showcased, and I had earned a spot at the table — or rather, 42 spots!

The Harsh Reality of Conference Fees The euphoria quickly gave way to a sobering realization: attending the ASC comes with significant costs. Registration fees alone were beyond my financial capacity it around 600$ so much expensive for a resident level outside USA. As a fresh graduate from a low-income country, I do not have access to institutional funding or personal resources to cover the expenses. This was a moment of reckoning. I had worked so hard to reach this point, only to be faced with a financial roadblock.

Reaching Out for Support Determined not to give up, I reached out to the ASC organizers. I explained my situation, highlighting the financial constraints of being from a low-income country and a fresh graduate. I respectfully requested any form of flexibility, fee waivers, or sponsorships that could make my participation possible. Unfortunately, I was met with a firm "no." There was no room for negotiation, no financial assistance program, and no pathway for researchers like me to access the platform I had worked so hard to earn.

Reflections and Lessons Learned This experience left me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I am incredibly proud of the achievement of having 42 abstracts accepted at a major conference. On the other hand, I’m disheartened by the barriers that prevent early-career researchers, especially those from low-income countries, from fully participating in these opportunities.

While the conference’s stance on financial flexibility was disappointing, I refuse to let it overshadow my accomplishments. This experience has made me more aware of the systemic barriers faced by researchers from marginalized backgrounds. It’s a reminder of the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible funding models within academic conferences.

Call for Change and Community Support This is not just my story — it’s a reality faced by thousands of researchers worldwide. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire conversations about equity in academia. We need to address the structural barriers that hinder participation from talented researchers in low-income countries.

I am reaching out to the research community for advice, support, and guidance. Have you faced similar challenges with conference fees? Did you find alternative ways to fund your participation? How can we collectively advocate for more inclusive practices in global academic conferences?

Join the Discussion I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. If you’ve found ways to overcome financial barriers to attend academic conferences, please share your strategies in the comments below. Let’s support one another and work towards a more inclusive academic community. Together, we can push for change and ensure that talent, not finances, determines who gets a seat at the table.