The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (cure) is NIU's annual campus-wide undergraduate conference where students can present their faculty-mentored research and artistry or engagement projects.
The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (cure) is NIU's annual campus-wide undergraduate conference where students can present their faculty-mentored research and artistry or engagement projects.
The engagement showcase is an opportunity for students to share knowledge gained from experiential learning that is not research. These are hands-on and engaged learning experiences that often make a positive impact within a community, organization or business and experiences that deepen your understanding in your field of study (internships, clinicals, civic engagement and advocacy, studying abroad, student teaching).
Undergraduate students who completed a faculty-mentored research or engagement project are eligible to present. Recent NIU graduates can present as long as their project was completed as an undergraduate.
Students can choose to present their work through a poster, infographic, exhibit, or 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.
You'll be able to see what a research and/or artistry conference entails without having to spend the money to get there. You can also network with undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty from a variety of disciplines.
No, academic credit is not provided.
Yes. Presenting at CURE will also give you credit towards the Undergraduate Research Scholar Badge.
Registration can be completed online.
Yes. Students still working on their projects/research tend to find the feedback from the judging process beneficial and benefit from attendees asking questions.
Email ugresearch@niu.edu to cancel your presentation.
Sample posters and templates can be found on the student resources page. You can also view the brief video, creating an effective academic poster.
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 not, it is your responsibility to print your poster.
You are encouraged to prepare and practice an elevator pitch and to watch the communicating your research video.
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.
All round table presenters are scheduled from 9-10 a.m.
If you're presenting a poster session or exhibit, you will select your top two preferred times. You can expect to receive your confirmed time slot one to two weeks prior to the conference.
Exhibits can be set up the day before the event, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or the morning of the event, between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Please check in at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled presentation time.
Yes, the conference is open to the public, and you are encouraged to invite guests.
You can expect two judges to stop by to listen to your presentation/elevator pitch. Other conference attendees, including faculty, staff, students and community members, might also stop by to engage in conversation with you about your project.
Judges use a rubric to rate your presentation. There is a rubric for research and artistry projects and one for engagement showcase projects.
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 and will be added to the CURE awards page.
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. A link to the award nomination will be included in your registration email confirmation.