Call for Abstracts

It is increasingly important that the scientific community works to ensure that those in the U.S. Congress who provide funding for science and science education have a clear understanding of the programs they fund and why these programs are important. Undergraduate research must be among those programs that members of Congress understand if it is to continue to be supported. 

Nothing more effectively demonstrates the value of undergraduate research than the words and stories of the student participants themselves. In the Spring of 2009 the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) will host its 13th annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. This event will help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students whom these programs impact.

CUR will invite representatives from federal funding agencies and nearby foundations to attend the poster session.  We ask you to provide the name of the agency or organization sponsoring your research, and the name of the program officer, to facilitate our making these invitations.

CUR is calling for students to submit an abstract of their research that represents any of CUR's disciplinal divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematics/Computer Science, Physics/Astronomy, Psychology, and Social Sciences). Each abstract should explain the work that was performed and discuss the importance of the work to science and society (i.e., what larger problem were you trying to solve or understand?). 

Abstract submissions will only be accepted by using our on-line submission form. You should have your vitae and poster abstract ready before clicking on the "Get submission form" button at the end of page. Once you submit your abstract you will receive an email confirmation that we have received it.  An email confirmation will also be sent to the Advisor listed on your application.  Their email will include directions on how to upload an electronic letter of recommendation.  This letter must be submitted no later than November 14, 2008.  Abstracts that are received for which no letter of recommendation has been submitted will not be considered.  Only one letter of recommendation should be sent, and the signature on the letter must match the name of the advisor listed in the application.

The letter of recommendation should include the following information about the students':

1) progress toward completion of the project and probability of completion by April 1 of that year,
2) command of the subject matter, 
3) communication skills, and 
4) prior experience presenting the material to both technical and non-technical audiences.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION for the 2009 Posters on the Hill Session IS NOVEMBER 14, 2008 - no exceptions. After this date you will no longer be able to access the submission form. For those selected to be presenters, as well as their advisors there will be a registration fee assessed to partially cover the expenses of breakfast, evening reception and facility/equipment rental.  Guests of students will be able to attend at a discounted rate.  

This is a unique opportunity that we believe will have a very positive impact on the future of federal funding for undergraduate research. We encourage undergraduates from both public and private predominantly undergraduate institutions, research universities, and those who have done their work at a national laboratory or facility to submit abstracts. A committee of CUR members anticipates selecting approximately 60 posters for participation in the poster session. Students selected for participation will be notified by February 16, 2009. 

Funds are not available through CUR to support costs associated with student travel and lodging for the poster session. Students and their mentors should consider exploring a variety of sources of support, including their President's Office, Government Relations Office, academic dean, etc. While students may present their poster without mentor accompaniment, mentors are strongly encouraged to participate in the poster session.

A full day of activities is anticipated. In addition to the evening poster session and reception on tentatively in April, there will be field trip opportunities the day before, followed by an evening orientation session with a light dinner, and morning speaker session with a continental breakfast the day of the session.  Students and their advisors will have an opportunity to visit their Congressional Representatives and Senators to talk about undergraduate research.  CUR will provide instructions for setting up these meetings.

The primary selection criteria include: 

• project quality, (e.g. timeliness, level of completion, and interest to both the scholarly and general communities),
• communication skills (e.g. being understandable by any educated person), and
• disciplinary and geographical distribution.

It is unlikely that more than one student project will be selected per school, but up to three students may be associated with a project.

CUR will provide press releases and other materials to students and their campus representatives.

GET SUBMISSION FORM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SUBMIT LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION