Step 1: Review eligibility, guidelines and policies

  • Who can participate
  • • UC Davis undergraduate students conducting research from any academic field under the guidance of a UC Davis faculty member. The faculty sponsor will approve or reject the abstract, so share your desire to present with your faculty sponsor (primary investigator, faculty mentor) before you begin the submission process. Abstracts can be "promissory abstracts." It is not necessary to have results to submit an abstract or present at the conference.

    • UC Davis undergraduate students who participate in research at a National Lab (Los Alamos, Bodega Bay, Lawrence Livermore) under faculty guidance.

    • UC Davis undergraduate students who participate in research at another campus (e.g., summer research programs) under faculty guidance. However, they must also receive a UC Davis faculty member's approval to be a conference presenter. Email the Undergraduate Research Center for more information.

    • Students can be recent UC Davis graduates (fall 2024 or winter 2025 graduates) if they have not started post-baccalaureate study and the research they present was conducted during the current academic year, as an undergraduate student, under the supervision of a UC Davis faculty member.
  • Presentation formats
  • Only one abstract may be submitted and one presentation format selected. Discuss which format would be best for your presentation with your faculty sponsor. 

    • Poster: Each presenter is assigned a time slot and section of board to display a poster with their research, scholarship or creative activity. During the poster session, the presenter stands next to their poster and engages with attendees by presenting their research, project details and answering questions about their project. Each poster session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Poster sessions take place Friday afternoon, April 26. 

    • Arts and design exhibit: For art or design projects, these exhibits can be visual or interactive art, including paintings and sculptures, or design projects, including fashion design or displaying a prototype. Presenters stand next to their art and design exhibits and interact with the audience attending the session. The art and design exhibits remain set up for the entire conference on Friday, April 26. 

    • Oral: Presenters have 15 minutes (including any Q&A) to present their research, scholarship or creative activities. Oral presentations are typically presented using PowerPoint or similar software. Performing arts presentations can include showing a student-created film or performance video. Oral and performing arts presentations take place in Wellman Hall on Saturday, April 27.
  • Team presentations
  • Students undertaking research as part of a team may co-present (e.g. Senior Design Teams.) 

    • Co-presenters must be undergraduate students who will attend the conference and participate in the presentation (i.e. do not list your professor, graduate students or other people who are involved in the research but NOT presenting at the conference.) 

    • Each presenter must complete their own separate application using the online form by the deadline and obtain the faculty member's approval. The application form provides fields for each presenter to enter their co-presenters names and emails. 

    • Each team registration must contain the same title and abstract. 

    Poster team presenters: 
    • Poster teams may have a maximum of four presenters. 

    • Poster teams share a single poster. 

    Oral team presenters: 
    • Oral teams may have a maximum of six presenters. 

    • Each oral presenter is allotted their own 15-minute period to present and take questions (e.g., a team of three should be prepared to give a 45-minute presentation.)  Each member should have a distinct presentation. 
     
  • Conference participation
  • Student presenters (orals and posters) must view the online conference information session in March.  Arts and design exhibitors attend a separate preparation session. 

Step 2: Review abstract application information

The abstract submission and application information are entered on the same online form.

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Feb. 19. Applicants with completed, approved abstracts are registered to present as space allows. No applications are accepted after the final deadline.

Abstract submission requirements:

  • Abstract titles: Abstract titles should use Title Case and be no more than 200 characters. Titles should be entered exactly as you would like it to appear in conference materials. Include appropriate use of italics, accents, superscripts, subscripts and special characters.
  • Abstract: The abstract should be 150-200 words. It needs to be entered as one single-spaced paragraph with the text exactly as you would like it to appear in conference materials. Include appropriate use of italics, accents, superscripts, subscripts and special characters. Do NOT include citations.
  • Approval: After an application is completed with an abstract submission, an email is sent to the faculty sponsor designated on the application. This email provides the faculty sponsor with a link to review and approve the abstract.

Once approved, the abstract is considered final. There are no opportunities to make edits once it is approved by your faculty sponsor.

Step 3: Submit abstract and application 

Submit abstract and application

Questions can sent by email or stop by the Student Community Center, Room 2300.

Important Notice About Poster Spots for the 2025 Conference The 2025 URSCA Conference will feature 500 poster spots, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students whose abstracts are approved earliest will have priority in selecting their preferred presentation type. If poster spots are no longer available, students can participate in the oral sessions on Saturday, ensuring all approved participants have the opportunity to showcase their work. We recommend submitting your abstract as early as possible to secure your spot.