Present at CURE

Join us for the 16th annual Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) on April 28, 2026, to showcase your research, artistry or engagement project.

Research and Artistry

Research and artistry projects are faculty-mentored investigations or creative inquiries that seek to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge. These include community-engaged research and creative inquiry projects.

Categories for research and artistry projects include:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biological and Chemical Sciences
  • Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Health and Human Sciences
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Physical Sciences, Math and Computational Sciences
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

Research and Artistry Registration

Engagement Showcase

Engagement projects are hands-on, real-world experiences that contribute to a student’s academic and professional growth.

Categories for the engagement showcase include:

  • Entrepreneurship and Business: developing, launching or improving products or systems and/or consulting with a business to address real-world problems
  • Civic Engagement and Advocacy: activities that involve policy work, advocacy campaigns or public service
  • Clinical, Fieldwork or Practicum Experiences: hands-on practice in professional settings (education, nursing, social work)
  • Internships and Co-ops: professional work experiences in a student's field
  • Leadership Roles: student government, peer mentoring or club leadership
  • Service Learning and Community Engagement: projects addressing community needs while applying academic concepts
  • Study Abroad and Global Learning: international programs fostering cultural competence

Engagement Showcase Registration

Session Formats

You are encouraged to choose the presentation format that fits best with telling the story of your project.

Poster Session

This format a visual representation of your project using a poster. This format is often used in STEM and Social Sciences disciplines but is an option for all presenters. View the student resources page for poster template options.

Exhibit

This format uses a display, model, prototypes, equipment, artifacts, and/or interactive elements to share your project.

If you choose a format that includes a poster, you will be assigned a one-hour time slot to share your project with judges and attendees. You should develop a brief 1–2 minute elevator pitch and be prepared to engage in conversation about your topic/project and answer questions. Your poster will be displayed throughout the entire day of the conference.

Round Table Discussion

This format is a facilitated conversation among a small group of students. It offers participants the chance to share their work, explore diverse perspectives, gain new insights and engage in thoughtful, analytical dialogue. This format is well-suited for projects in the humanities, but open to all disciplines.

If you choose the round table discussion you will be assigned to a group or topic. Each table will have a moderator to facilitate the discussion and a judge. The round table sessions run from 9-10 a.m.

Recorded Performance

This format is for students sharing their creative work or expression through a recorded performance.

Presentation Timeline

  • November 3

    • Presenter registration opens.
    • Review the abstract video before submitting registration.
    • You will receive a confirmation email immediately upon submitting your registration.
  • March 24

    • Registration, including submission of your abstract or project description, closes at 3 p.m.
    • You will receive confirmation of your presenter time slot approximately two to three weeks prior to the conference.
  • April 16

    • Submit your poster by 3 p.m. You will receive an email with your returned registration application so you can upload your poster.
    • Posters submitted by the deadline will be printed for you free of charge and displayed at the event for you.
    • Posters not submitted by the deadline will be the responsibility of the presenter to print.
  • May 1

    Awardees will be notified.

Contact Us

Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
Holmes Student Center 264-266
engage@niu.edu