The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (cure) is NIU’s annual 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.
Any currently enrolled undergraduate student who has 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 an independent study, capstone projects, senior design, Research Rookies, read, SEF, 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.
cure provides you an opportunity to practice and gain confidence in communicating your ideas and findings to others. 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 what a poster presentation looks like, as well as have the opportunity to network with undergraduate and graduate students along with faculty from a variety of disciplines.
No, academic credit is not provided.
Yes, cure is an Honors Engaged approved experience.
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.
All undergraduate researchers who want to present must register for the conference. Visit the event registration page for more details.
Please send an email to ugreasearch@niu.edu to cancel your presentation.
Yes, you can submit to present more than one presentation.
Guidance on poster development can be found on the student resources page. Additionally, there will be a cure workshop Session on Designing Your Academic Poster available to participants.
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 can attend the cure workshop session on Communicating Your Research to help prepare. You are also encouraged to prepare and practice an elevator pitch.
All presenters are required to submit a poster. Other materials such as an exhibit or video performance are optional.
Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled presentation time. The presenter check-in table is located outside of the Capitol Room. At that time, you will be directed to your presentation/poster location.
Yes, the conference is open to the public, and you are encouraged to invite guests.
When checking in, you will be given your assigned poster number and locate your poster display in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. Conference attendees, including faculty, staff, community members, and judges will circulate throughout the poster session displays and ask questions about your work. You should be prepared with an elevator pitch to share with the judges and any other conference attendees interested in your project/research and stand by your poster for the entire designated time slot.
Two judges will be assigned to each presentation and will use the judge’s rubric (DOCX) to rate your presentation.
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.