Laidlaw Manuscript Competition

• Begin the manuscript with a summary paragraph of no more than 250 words, separate from the main text.
• This paragraph should be written for readers outside your discipline and must avoid numbers, abbreviations, acronyms, or measurements unless essential.
• Structure as follows:
  • 2–3 sentences introducing the field at a basic level.
  • A brief explanation of the background and rationale for the work.
  • A clear statement of the main conclusions.
  • 2–3 sentences placing the findings in a broader context, explaining how the results advance the field.

Language and Accessibility:

• Write in clear, accessible language suitable for a broad scientific audience.
• Assume reviewers may not be subject-matter experts.

Length and Content Limits:

• Maximum word count: 5,000 words.
• Figures/Tables: Up to 10 combined.
• References: No more than 60.
• Supplementary material: Not permitted (including additional figures or tables).

Format Requirement:

• This format is mandatory for the competition, even if the research has already been published elsewhere.
• Ensure you include all co-authors.

• Students may only submit one manuscript to the competition.
• The file must be named following the format: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Laidlaw.pdf 
• You must use your utoronto email account to access the submission form and upload the file(s).
• Submission deadline: March 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM