McNair

Showcase & Symposium

Future Leaders in Innovation: The 8th Annual University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase and Research Symposium 

April 22 -25, 2026 

University of Cincinnati Tangeman University Center (TUC) and the Graduate by Hilton Cincinnati

Hosted by the UC TRIO Programs and UC Discovery Amplified

Sponsored by UC Graduate College and UC College of Arts and Sciences

UC Registration External Registration Graduate School Fair Call for Presentations

The Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase and Research Symposium is a signature experience for UC undergraduate researchers—and for emerging undergraduate scholars from across the nation. This dynamic event empowers students to professionally present their research, sharpen essential career skills through high-impact networking, and gain a competitive edge in the graduate school admissions process. Join over 300 undergraduate researchers for this impactful experience!

Showcase & Symposium Highlights

  • Undergraduate Researcher Oral and Poster Presentations

  • 1-Slide Research Presentation Competition hosted by the UC Undergraduate Research Society

  • Student-Focused Workshops on:

    • Financing Graduate School

    • Prioritizing Mental Health in Graduate School

    • Navigating the Graduate School Application Process

    • Refining Research Skills

    • Accessibility in Graduate Education

    • Preparing for Graduate School Testing

    • Building Strong Mentorship Relationships

  • Networking events with graduate students, faculty, and representatives from graduate programs

  • The Graduate School Fair

  • Inspiring keynote speakers

  • Specialized departmental meetings with the University of Cincinnati Graduate College

  • A vibrant Cincinnati excursion

  • Pre-Conference Presentation Workshops

Get ready for an exciting, motivating, and impactful experience that elevates your academic and professional journey!

For questions and additional information, please email mcnair@uc.edu. 

Showcase and Symposium Facts and Information

For questions, please contact mcnair@uc.edu. 

  • The showcase and symposium registration is open to all undergraduate students who have participated in research under the direction of a faculty member or principal investigator. Research includes but is not limited to a structured undergraduate research program, summer research program, individual research projects, capstone projects, course-based research experiences, research internships, service-learning projects, grant-funded research projects, research team and lab projects, music or art collection research, etc. This is an interdisciplinary showcase ands symposium with undergraduate presentations from STEM, Medicine/ Health Sciences, Social Sciences, the Arts, and the Humanities. 
  • All participants must be registered with the symposium in order to be eligible to attend events. Individual events also require registration. Participants will be asked to select the events that they wish to attend upon registration. Individual events and workshops have limited number of participants. More information about this will sent out to registrants to RSVP for individual events. 
  • Undergraduate presenters may choose to present either an oral or poster presentation. These may be presented in groups or individually. If presenting in a group, you will indicate members of your group at registration.
  • UC undergraduate researchers are eligible to register at no cost until the maximum number of researchers are met for each individual event and presentation group. 

Tentative Agenda

  • Virtual Synchronous Student Presentations: 11:00am - 1:00pm, Zoom
  • Pre-Symposium Undergraduate Researcher Workshop: 4:00pm - 5:00pm, TUC Great Hall (465)
  • Registration: 9:00am - 4:00pm, TUC 400 Level Atrium (outside of Great Hall) 
  • Set-Up for Poster Session 1: 9:00am - 10:00am, TUC Great Hall (465)
  • Poster Session 1: 10:00am - 11:30am, TUC Great Hall (465) 
  • Lunch for faculty and staff reviewers, Thursday UC student presenters and volunteers, and external registrants (please bring badge for entry): 12:00pm - 1:00pm, TUC 400ABC
  • Setup for Poster Session 2: 12:00pm - 2:00pm, TUC Great Hall (465) 
  • Poster Session 2: 2:00pm - 3:30pm, TUC Great Hall (465) 
  • Graduate College Meetings: 4:00pm-6:00pm, TUC 400 Level Breakout Rooms (Breakout Schedule TBA). 
  • 1-Slide Competition: 'Just a Minute' - JAM hosted by the UC Undergraduate Research Society: 6:00pm - 8:00pm, TUC 400ABC 
  • Registration: 8:00am - 3:30pm, TUC 400 Level Atrium 
  • Setup for Poster Session #3: 8:00am - 10:00am, TUC Great Hall (465) 
  • Welcome Breakfast sponsored by UC Division of Student Affairs: 8:30am - 9:50am, TUC ABC (Open to Friday UC faculty and staff reviewers, volunteers, and UC Friday student presenters (RSVP via form), and external registrants; please plan to bring your badge for entry) 
  • Poster Session #3: 10:00am - 11:30am, TUC Great Hall 
  • Workshop Block #1: 10:00am - 11:40am, TUC 400 Level Breakouts (Workshop Schedule TBA)
  • Lunch for faculty and staff reviewers, Friday UC student presenters and volunteers, and external registrants (please bring badge for entry): 11:30am - 12:30pm, TUC 400ABC
  • Setup for Poster Session #4: 11:30am - 1:30pm, TUC Great Hall (465) 
  • Oral Presentation Session #1: 12:30pm - 1:30pm, TUC 400 Level Breakouts (Presentation Schedule TBA)
  • Poster Session #4: 1:30pm - 3:00pm, TUC Great Hall (465)
  • Graduate School Fair #1: 3:00pm - 5:00pm, TUC 300 Level Atrium
  • Oral Presentation Session #2: 3:00pm - 4:00pm, TUC 400 Level Breakouts (Presentation Schedule TBA)
  • Excursion to Scene 75 with Dinner: 5:00pm - 10:00pm (Transportation instructions will be sent to RSVP'd UC student presenters, faculty and staff reviewers/ moderators, and external registrants).
  • Registration: 8:00am - 5:30pm, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, West Pre-Function, Second Floor 
  • Keynote Breakfast: 8:00am - 9:30am, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Cincinnatus Ballroom (Open to Saturday UC faculty and staff reviewers, volunteers, and UC Saturday student presenters/ attendees (RSVP via form), and external registrants; please plan to bring your badge for entry) 
  • Oral Presentation Session #3: 9:30am - 10:30am, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Breakout Rooms, First Floor 
  • Workshop Block #2: 10:30am - 12:30pm, TUC 400, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Breakout Rooms, First Floor 
  • Networking Lunch: 12:30pm - 2:00pm, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Cincinnatus Ballroom (Open to Saturday UC faculty and staff reviewers, volunteers, and UC Saturday student presenters/ attendees (RSVP via form), and external registrants; please plan to bring your badge for entry) 
  • Oral Presentation Session #4: 2:00pm - 3:00pm, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Breakout Rooms, First Floor 
  • Graduate School Fair #2: 2:00pm - 4:00pm, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, First and Second Floors 
  • Awards Banquet sponsored by UC Graduate College: 5:00pm - 7:00pm, The Graduate Cincinnati by Hilton, Cincinnatus Ballroom for RSVP'd UC faculty, staff, and students and external registrants 

Pre-Showcase Skills Workshops

Open to all students!