NCUR 2022 @home: Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for your interest in NCUR 2022 @home! This page was created to answer some immediate questions you may have about the upcoming conference. While more pieces become available, the information will be added. Please remember to check back here frequently for updates.

For immediate assistance, please email NCUR@CUR.org or call (202) 783-4810

TOPICS

General

When is NCUR 2022 @home?
NCUR 2022 @home will be held as a virtual event April 4-8, 2022. 

When will the submission system open for NCUR 2022 @home and will the application process be different from a traditional conference?

The submission system dates are as follows:

  • The submission system will open on September 15, 2021
    • Early-Bird* Abstract Submission Deadline (with option to enter competition): October 20, 2021
      • *Early-Bird abstract submissions notifications will be sent on November 17, 2021, and will be eligible for the Early-Bird registration rate which ends December 20, 2021. 
    • Regular Abstract Submissions Deadline: November 29, 2021
       

The application process will be largely the same as an in-person NCUR, but there are a few things to note: 

  • We are using a new abstract submission system for NCUR 2022 so each person accessing the system will need to create a new account.
  • We had added an optional competition element that can be selected during the early-bird abstract submission process. 
  • We have limited the number of co-presenters that can be listed on an abstract
  • While a preferred supplementary material option (e.g. poster, slides, video) can be selected, each participating student will present live for 10-15 minutes in a disciplinary-specific cohort as part of the program.
     

NCUR Account Creation/Log In

How do I create an NCUR 2022 @home account?​
First go to the "Abstract Submissions" page on the left sidebar navigation menu. Click "My Account" in the upper right-hand menu on the abstract submission dashboard and follow the on-screen steps to create an NCUR 2022 @home account. 

How can I receive emails about NCUR 2022 @home?
Once you have created an NCUR 2022 @home account, your email address will be automatically added to the mailing list for the conference. You can create an account even if you aren't sure yet whether you will submit an abstract. We also encourage you to subscribe to our "First to Know" emails on student programs that include NCUR. 

May faculty advisors and mentors present with their student advisees at NCUR?
No, NCUR is a presentation opportunity for undergraduate research students only. There will not be traditional FAN sessions at NCUR 2022 @home. There will be other engagement opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators. More information is coming soon. Meanwhile, if you have developed a session topic that you’d like to propose for another presentation opportunity with CUR please email NCUR@CUR.org and we will be in touch.

When do campus coordinators need to make an account?
Once registration is open, campus coordinators will be instructed on how to access and process invoices. Please note that as a campus coordinator, you are responsible to communicate with your students that your name and information is listed correctly when they submit their research abstract. This information will be used during invoicing and communication throughout the process. If the data is correct, you will receive a confirmation email per submission. 

Eligibility to Submit/Present at NCUR 2022 @home


Are high school students enrolled in a dual-enrollment program eligible to participate in NCUR 2022 @home?
Yes, provided they have completed research. 

Would a student graduating in December 2021 be eligible to participate?
Yes, as long as the research was performed while you were an undergraduate. However, you may want to check with your institution as they may not be able to pay the registration fee for a student who has already graduated. You may register on your own; institutional payment is not required. 

Can I submit an abstract if I am no longer a college student?
Yes, if the research was done when you were an undergraduate student. 

Are international students eligible to participate in this event?
Yes, international students are eligible and encouraged to apply for NCUR.

Abstract Submission/Revision/Withdrawal

What is the application process for students who want to apply to NCUR 2022?
A link to the abstract submission page is found on the left-hand sidebar navigation menu. This will include detailed guidelines and important deadlines.

Does my project need to be completed before I present it?
Projects do not have to be completed at the time of submission. If your project hasn't been complete prior to the abstract submission deadline, you can use phrases such as "I anticipate that the results will be...". Please summarize what has been done so far, and what you hope to finish by the time of the conference.

Can I submit already published or formerly presented work?
Yes, NCUR allows students to submit previously published or previously presented work during abstract submission.

How do you select abstracts?
Abstracts are reviewed for general adherence to disciplinary standards.

Can I present research at NCUR 2022 that was recently presented at a state or local conference?
You can present material at NCUR 2022 that was presented elsewhere.

I am not sure what to choose for the field of study. Can you help?
Please read the entire list of fields before choosing the most appropriate for your research. If concerns remain, we suggest you discuss the appropriate field with your mentor(s).

Is there a format for abstract submissions? Is there a length restriction?
Yes. There is a 300-word length restriction. Complete instructions and formatting information are provided on the abstract submission page. 

Can I attach a table and graph to my abstract?
No. You should only include text in the abstract. The abstract can summarize the table and graph, but only text can be submitted.

Can I include a reference page in my abstract? If so, will that be counted against us in the word requirement?
You can leave the references out of the abstract to save space. These can be included in the formal poster.

Can I mail or fax in my abstract?
No. All abstracts must be submitted using the abstract submission page. If your abstract contains special characters that cannot be typed into the form, you may include a link to a Web version of your abstract.

The research I wish to present was done over the summer at an independent research laboratory and is not one of the institutions listed. How should I submit my abstract?
List the school you are enrolled in as your institution. You should mention the host facility in your abstract and presentation.

My research mentor is an MD/PhD student completing doctoral research. Does this person qualify as my faculty mentor? Or should I list the name of the faculty member who runs the lab I work in?
The faculty member who runs the lab, not a MD/PhD student, should be listed as the mentor.

Can I present a paper in Spanish from a course on Spanish or Latin American literatures?
Yes. A presentation can be given in Spanish, but the abstract should be written in English. Please indicate in your abstract that the talk will be given in Spanish so attendees will know.

Should I write my abstract for nonscientists or for scientists in my field? In other words, should I assume that the reviewer is familiar with relevant terminology?
Your abstract will be reviewed by faculty with expertise in your field. After your abstract has been accepted you should consider planning your presentation to be understood by audience members who don’t have the same depth of knowledge. They may be genuinely interested in your research but not have the same background.

Can I revise my abstract once it is submitted?
No. Depending on the outcome of the review process, you may be asked to revise after the review. That information will be shared upon abstract decision notification.

I submitted my abstract without consulting my faculty mentor or research coordinator in advance. Can my abstract be withdrawn? Once I have their approval, will I be able to resubmit before the deadline?
You may withdraw your abstract at any time. There will be a menu option to do so upon logging into the submission portal. You may submit a new abstract provided you do so before the posted deadline.

Are students who attend two-year colleges allowed to present at NCUR 2022 @home?
Absolutely, we highly encourage students who attend two-year colleges to apply for NCUR.

Can there be more than one submission per university or college?
Yes. Most universities or colleges send multiple students to NCUR each year.

Is a faculty letter of recommendation required to be considered for NCUR?
No. It is assumed that when the faculty mentor’s contact information is provided that they approve of the submission. 

Abstract Format Guidelines

What are the Abstract Format Guidelines?
Guidelines can be found on the home page of the abstract submission site. 

Will there be any form of session judging and/or awards given out to participants who excel in their given session?
We have incorporated an optional competition element that can be selected during the early-bird submission round. If you select this option, you will be asked to upload 2-3 minute flash talk at the time of the submission. Judges will review your abstract submission as well as your presentation skills presented in the submitted flash talk. Top candidates will be honored and recognized in a Celebratory Reflection and Award Ceremony on Monday, April 11, 2022. 

My research outcome and focus changed from my original abstract and now they are no longer in line. Is it possible to submit a new, updated abstract?
If you wish to create a new submission you will need to withdraw your original submission and re-submit your new abstract prior to the posted submission deadline. You will have a menu option to withdraw upon logging into the submission system.

Registration/Costs

What will be the registration fees for NCUR 2022 @Home?
Registration fees are tied to institutional CUR membership. You can view costs on the registration page found on the left-hand sidebar navigation menu. If you have any questions about the registration rates please email ncur@cur.org.

All NCUR attendees must register individually. Abstracts are tied to student registrations.

Are faculty mentors required to register for NCUR 2022 @home?
Faculty mentors who wish to participate in NCUR 2022 will need to register. Registration rates for faculty/staff are significantly reduced, please see the fee table for more information. If you have any questions about registration or rates please email ncur@cur.org.

How do friends and family register for NCUR 2022 @home?
In order to extend the celebration, NCUR welcomes friends and family to register in support of all accepted and registered students. Once the student is registered, they will receive information on registration for friends and family. If you have any questions about registration or rates please email ncur@cur.org.

Is there any requirement that the student, her or his adviser, or the college be a member of CUR in order for the student to present at NCUR?
No, there is not a CUR membership requirement for anyone on the abstract to submit or attend NCUR. Payment is required prior to presenting and gaining access to the event portal. 

What are the cancellation policies for the conference?
CUR will honor cancellation requests and provide a refund, less a $50 processing fee, for all requests submitted in writing no later than March 18, 2022. No refunds will be permitted after March 18. Please submit cancellation requests in writing to ncur@cur.org.

Can I mail or fax in the conference registration form?
No, you will need to register using the online registration portal on this website. However, payment can be sent via check to the CUR National Office at the address below. Please reference the name of the individual(s) and the institution when sending in the payment: 

Council on Undergraduate Research
Attn: NCUR Registration
PO Box 745993
Atlanta, GA 30374-5993

If I am a co-presenter and someone else has submitted the abstract, do I still need to register for NCUR?
Yes. All presenters and co-presenters must register for NCUR 2022 @home in order to attend and present.

If we fail to register the deadline, then are we automatically out of the conference?
Yes. You must register and pay the registration fee by the deadline in order to be included in the conference. We unfortunately are not able to accept late registration payments.

What payments are accepted for registration?
Accepted forms of payment for registration are credit card (via VISA, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover) or check (must be postmarked by March 15, 2022). If your institution will be paying for your registration fee and you select "Pay by Check" at the time of registration, payment must be received in full by the posted deadline. The last date we will be accepting "Pay by Check" is February 7, 2022, so that invoices can be issued. If payment is not received by March 21, 2022, you will be removed from the conference program. 

Are purchase orders accepted for NCUR 2022 @home registrations?
We are unable to accept purchase orders for NCUR 2022 @home registration payments. We will issue a standard invoice for all registrations submitted by individuals who select the "Pay by Check" option at the time of registration, and payment must be remitted in the form of check or credit card by March 21, 2021. Registrants for whom payment is not received by this deadline will be removed from the conference program and will not receive access to the virtual conference platform. 

How can we notify NCUR if we are unable to participate?
If you cannot attend, please contact us as soon as possible at ncur@cur.org.

Coordinator Invoicing Information

What is a NCUR Coordinator?
An NCUR Coordinator is a faculty advisor or institutional contact (e.g. person in your university's office of undergraduate research) in charge of collecting and paying invoices (or being the point of contact to collect payment) for student registrations for NCUR. 

I am receiving information about being a coordinator and am no longer one or I need to add an additional coordinator. How can I change this?
If you believe another individual from your institution should be listed as the NCUR coordinator (or as an additional NCUR coordinator) please email ncur@cur.org as soon as possible to let us know. Further email communications about invoicing and payment are dependent upon us having the correct person listed.

What is the registration/invoicing timeline? 
Students who have been accepted to present at NCUR 2022 @home have been instructed that they need to register for the conference. They are aware that if their institution will be paying for their registration that they are to select “Pay by Check” upon registering. The registration rate due will be dependent upon when a student registers.

  • December 20, 2021: Early-bird abstract submission rate deadline
  • January 31, 2022: Regular submission discounted rate deadline
  • February 7, 2022: Last day "Pay by Check" option will be available as payment. After this date, all registrations must be paid via credit card. 
  • February 10, 2022: All invoices will be issued to institutions for payment
  • March 18, 2021: Last day to cancel and request a refund. CUR will honor cancellation requests submitted in writing no later than March 18, 2021. No refunds will be permitted after March 18. Please submit cancellation requests in writing to NCUR@CUR.org
  • March 21, 2022: Last day to register online with a credit card, and all check payments for invoices must be postmarked by March 15, 2022 and received by March 21, 2022. 


What happens if our institution does not pay by March 21, 2022?
A submitted registration form with no corresponding payment after March 21, 2022, is not considered a complete registration and will result in the registrant(s) being unable to access the virtual event platform. 

Can I request an invoice prior to February 10, 2022?
Yes. We will send specific instructions and options for invoice payment when we issue the invoice on February 10, 2022. If you’d like an invoice sooner or would like to pay for a group of registrants before February please let us know. Please note: this only works when students have already registered. If no registration can be found for a particular student, they will need to log into their account and register before you can generate an invoice or pay for their registration.