Research Poster Guidelines & Templates
Scientific posters are essential tools for presenting research findings and fostering discussion between researchers and their audience. In a busy conference setting, a well-designed poster can help your work stand out. But what makes an effective poster? Below, you’ll find key guidelines and best practices for creating a compelling, professional research poster, along with UF College of Nursing-approved templates to get you started.
Content
Before designing your poster, consider your audience. Are they faculty experts in your field? Are they students with limited background knowledge? Tailoring your content appropriately will ensure your research is accessible and engaging.
Keep your text concise, breaking content into clearly defined sections to improve readability and encourage interaction.
Recommended sections for a research poster:
- Introduction or Background
- Research Questions or Aims
- Methods (Design, Participants, Measures, Procedures, Analysis)
- Results – Consider organizing findings by research question or aim. Using tables and figures often enhances clarity.
- Conclusion – Highlight 2–3 key takeaways. Depending on the audience, this may include practical implications.
- References – If permitted, use numbered citations (e.g., MLA format) to conserve space.
- Acknowledgments – Recognize funding sources, research labs, and contributors not listed as authors.
Design & Layout Best Practices
- Check conference guidelines before creating your poster to ensure compliance.
- Lead with key results to capture attention quickly.
- Utilize white space to separate sections and avoid visual clutter.
- Use alignment tools in PowerPoint or design software to maintain a clean layout.
- Ensure accessibility by avoiding high-contrast “vibrating” color combinations (e.g., bright orange on blue).
Typography & Readability
- Limit fonts to no more than two—one for headings and one for body text.
- Use sans-serif fonts like Gentona or Century Gothic for better readability.
- Set a minimum body text size of 28 pt to ensure clarity from a distance.
Figures, Tables and Images
- Visuals should reinforce key findings rather than just decorate the poster.
- For qualitative research, highlighting impactful quotes can strengthen messaging.
- Place results or key findings at the center of the poster for visual hierarchy.
- Include QR codes to provide additional resources or extended content.
UF College of Nursing Poster Templates
To simplify the design process, we’ve created multiple poster templates, each approved by faculty to meet the needs of researchers at all levels. These templates offer flexibility—section headers, text boxes, and logos can be adjusted as needed.
⚠️ Please do not resize or remove the official UF College of Nursing logo to maintain brand integrity.
Download the templates below and start building a research poster that makes an impact!