Undergraduate Research Day
The Annual Showcase for Student Academic Achievements
Undergraduate Research Day at YHC
April 16, 2026
Deadline, Submission, and Application
Application and Abstract Submissions
If you have a quality research paper, project, or creative work that you wish to present, and a professor is willing to sponsor your submission, you must submit an abstract, a paragraph-long description of the work, in order to apply (additional guidance for writing an abstract is forthcoming).
- Every abstract must be sponsored by a faculty member, and your sponsor must be willing to review and approve your abstract before it is submitted. Communicate now with a faculty member who is familiar with your work’s quality and may be willing to sponsor your abstract proposal; faculty can help guide you through the process. Interdisciplinary work may have more than one faculty sponsor.
Deadline: Wednesday, March 18
- This is a hard deadline, as we must leave time for faculty (in addition to your sponsor) to review your submitted abstract. The submission portal will open on February 18th, and additional guidance will be shared by then. Be sure that all authors and your sponsor are aware of the 3/18 deadline to leave time for revision before submitting. We will let you know whether your work is accepted into the conference, not accepted (this is uncommon), or whether you must revise and resubmit your abstract for reconsideration.
Annual Undergraduate Research Day
Students at URD 2025
Faculty Sponsors at URD 2025
FAQs about Undergraduate Research Day
General, Applications, Deadline
What is URD? What is its purpose?
Undergraduate Research Day (URD) is a signature event celebrating YHC students’ academic work, including research and creative works. We want to recognize the discovery and exploration taking place at YHC and highlight your personal growth as scholars. This will be the 14th year of the event, which also supports the college’s current Quality Enhancement Plan, Undergraduate Research for the Common Good.
When/where is the conference?
Thursday, April 16 at the Rollins Campus Center and numerous other campus venues. No classes are held that day so that students can attend presentations and events, present their work, perform, volunteer, etc. Faculty and staff are also strongly encouraged to attend. Please save the date!
How can I apply to present my work?
- If you have a quality research paper, project, or creative work that you wish to present, and a professor is willing to sponsor your submission, you must submit an abstract, a paragraph-long description of the work, in order to apply (additional guidance for writing an abstract is forthcoming).
- Every abstract must be sponsored by a faculty member, and your sponsor must be willing to review and approve your abstract before it is submitted. Communicate now with a faculty member who is familiar with your work’s quality and may be willing to sponsor your abstract proposal; faculty can help guide you through the process. Interdisciplinary work may have more than one faculty sponsor.
When is the deadline for my application and abstract submission?
Wednesday, March 18th. This is a hard deadline, as we must leave time for faculty (in addition to your sponsor) to review your submitted abstract. The submission portal will open on February 18th, and additional guidance will be shared by then. Be sure that all authors and your sponsor are aware of the 3/18 deadline to leave time for revision before submitting. We will let you know whether your work is accepted into the conference, not accepted (this is uncommon), or whether you must revise and resubmit your abstract for reconsideration.
Presentations, Research, and Participation
In what ways can I present my work at URD?
URD features many types of student work and strives to be as inclusive as possible. Most presentations are posters (instructions forthcoming) or talks (~12 min. long, with 3 min. for questions and answers, with possible additional time for honors presentations, etc.). Additionally, the performing, visual, and literary arts may be featured through performances, public art installations, etc.
What if URD participation is required for my course or program? Do I still need to submit an abstract?
Yes. Your work must be quality work to be accepted, so spend enough time to ensure that quality is evident in the abstract you submit. Some abstracts may be published in the YHC Undergraduate Research Journal, and we need your sponsor to affirm that yours is well-written and clear.
Can I have co-authors/co-presenters? Can I present something that I worked on with a group?
Yes. Co-authored (collaborative) efforts are welcome. You or a co-author may submit an abstract, but be sure all authors (and your faculty sponsor) have approved the abstract and wish to be acknowledged as co-authors before submitting.
Can I apply if my/our work was completed in the fall 2025 semester?
Yes, just be sure a faculty member is willing/able to sponsor your abstract.
Can I propose more than one presentation/performance?
Yes, though capacity is limited. Each submission must have its own abstract and faculty sponsor. We will accommodate what we can.
Does my/our research have to be completed/finished to present it?
It depends. If you are presenting a senior capstone, required assignment, etc., see your professor/syllabus/department to clarify requirements. Generally speaking, students may present work that will be complete (presenting findings/conclusions on 4/16), is in progress (sharing the rationale/process/progress of your work and expected findings), or, less often, proposes future work (e.g., discuss how a literature review has shaped your plan for a future study/project/creative work).
