Engaging Minds. Empowering Students. Are You Ready?
Undergraduate researchers from every discipline are invited to submit an abstract for the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the country's largest gathering celebrating student scholarship. NCUR 2027 takes place at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 12 to 14, 2027, hosted in partnership with Grand Valley State University. Read the announcement.
This is a rare chance to present on the national stage close to home, with GVSU serving as host institution. Abstract submissions are open now through December 4, 2026.
Visit the NCUR 2027 Website for full conference details, or jump straight to submitting below.
Why Present at NCUR
NCUR is undergraduate research in action. Students who present at NCUR join thousands of scholars from across the country, get real time feedback from faculty outside their home department, and build a record that stands out for graduate school or job applications. With GVSU hosting in 2027, students get all of that without the cost or logistics of traveling far from campus.
NCUR is not only for students. Faculty and staff mentors can submit an abstract for a mentor led session and share what they have learned about mentoring undergraduate researchers, building research into courses, or growing a research culture in their department or program. Mentor led formats include oral presentations, narratives and storytelling, and posters. Mentor abstracts use the same submission form and the same December 4, 2026 deadline as student abstracts. Choose "Mentor-Led Abstract Submission" as the abstract type.
Faculty and Mentors: Volunteer as an Abstract Reviewer
NCUR receives and accepts thousands of student abstracts across every academic discipline each year, and Grand Rapids is expected to be no different. To make that possible, NCUR needs abstract reviewers, and this is a chance for GVSU faculty and mentors to shape the conference before it even begins.
Administrators, faculty mentors, postdocs, and graduate students are all eligible to volunteer. Undergraduate students are not eligible to serve as reviewers.
The commitment is small:
- Total time: roughly 3 to 4 hours
- Review window: December 15, 2026 through January 6, 2027
- You will read your assigned abstracts, then score and comment on each one fairly and consistently
Deadline to volunteer: November 13, 2026
Reviewing is a direct way to support the students you mentor and the broader undergraduate research community, and it gives you an early look at the range of work coming to Grand Rapids.
Help Us Host: Join the OURS NCUR Planning Team
Hosting a national conference takes a lot of hands. If you would like to support the OURS NCUR Planning Team, please reach out to Susan Mendoza, Director of CSRSE, at [EMAIL]. We would be glad to hear from you.
Questions?
For questions about GVSU participation, CSRSE sponsorship, or the planning team, contact Susan Mendoza at [email protected].
