2026 Competition Deadlines

Recommended manuscript submission deadline to the journal: Dec. 15, 2025
Letter of acceptance and competition application due to ASDS: May 15, 2026

The Young Investigators Writing Competition is offered to stimulate young investigators to submit original ideas, research and articles.

The competition is open to ASDS residents, members completing a dermatologic surgery fellowship and members who have completed residency within the past three years. Medical students and those who have not been placed in a residency program do not qualify for this program.

Up to two awards will be given at the discretion of the ASDS Journal Awards Work Group. Winner(s) receive complimentary general registration to the ASDS Annual Meeting; a $1,500 stipend reimbursement for travel and housing expenses to attend the meeting; a photo with the ASDS President; and an engraved award.

Manuscripts must follow the Dermatologic Surgery Author Guidelines and be accepted for publication before members can submit a Young Investigators Writing Competition application. Writing contest winners are not eligible for other ASDS Annual Meeting resident scholarships.

2025 Winning Articles
  • "Patient Satisfaction with Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Systematic Review" by Joshua G. Burshtein, MD — Published May 2025
  • "Medical Spa Legislation, Regulations, and Guidelines in the United States" by Ali Murtaza Malik, MD  — Published August 2025

Graphic of YIWC Recipients
2025 Young Investigators Writing Competition Award Recipients, Drs. Ali Murtaza Malik and Joshua G. Burshtein.