The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (cure) is NIU’s annual campus wide undergraduate research symposium hosted by the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (oseel). cure provides NIU students with the opportunity to formally present faculty-mentored undergraduate research, artistry and engagement projects that they have participated in during the academic year.
Undergraduate students who have participated in a faculty-mentored creative or research project is eligible to showcase their work at this event through posters and exhibits. This includes, but is not limited to, students who have completed independent studies, in-service learning projects, capstone projects, senior design, class projects, creative works projects, Research Rookies, read grant, Student Engagement Fund, senior thesis, research while studying abroad or other related research/artistry or community engagement projects.
Everyone is welcome! Faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, family, friends and the NIU and DeKalb communities!
No, cure is free.
You may present a poster session or other visual display, including an exhibit or a recorded performance.
To gain confidence in communicating your ideas and findings to others both within and outside of your discipline. You can also benefit by including this experience on your resume.
Students will be able to see what a research and/or artistry conference entails without having to spend the money to get there. Students will learn about other research and artistry projects happening in various departments and have the opportunity to network with undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty from a variety of disciplines.
Academic credit is not provided for attending CURE.
Yes, it’s approved for both.
Yes, you can still present. Students still working on their projects/research tend to find the feedback from the judging process beneficial and benefit from attendees asking questions.
Registration is completed online. You can submit more than one presentation.
Visit the event registration page for more details.
There is a 150-word limit. Please view the abstract guidance on the student resource page for additional guidance on abstracts and program descriptions.
Please send an email to ugreasearch@niu.edu to cancel your presentation.
Guidance on poster development can be found on the student resources page.
If you submit your poster by the deadline, your poster will be printed and mounted for you at your designated poster number on the day of the event. If you submit your poster after the deadline, it will be your responsibility to print your poster.
You are encouraged to prepare and practice an elevator pitch.
There are no required materials to present at CURE. If you choose to present a poster, all posters must be either 32x40 or 40x32. You can create your own poster or use one of the templates on the student resources page.
When registering, if you indicate display as your presentation option, a list of available tables, including dimensions, will be provided for you to choose from. Conference staff will be in direct contact to confirm display needs.
Presenters creating displays will indicate on their registration form if they will set up the day before the event or the morning of before the event starts.
Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled presentation time.
Yes, the conference is open to the public, and you are encouraged to invite guests.
Conference attendees, including faculty, staff, community members, and judges will circulate throughout the presentations and engage in conversation with you about your project. You should be prepared with an elevator pitch and be present during your entire designated presentation time slot.
Two judges will be assigned to each presentation and will use the judge’s rubric (DOCX) to rate your presentation.
Approximately one week following the conference, you will receive a summary of your ratings and comments from judges.
Award winners will be announced approximately one week after the conference.
Undergraduate researchers presenting at CURE can nominate their faculty mentors for this award. Nominees are evaluated on their ability to create inclusive environments that foster student confidence, growth and achievement.