National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

What is NCUR?

NCUR is an interdisciplinary conference that focuses on completed, undergraduate-student-led research. Projects across all disciplines are welcomed, with numerous formats to showcase the nature of each work. In order to apply to NCUR, a student must have completed an undergraduate-led research or creative activity.

Attending and presenting at conferences as an undergraduate student holds many advantages for your future. It allows you to: 

* Share your work with the academic community 
* Engage in meaningful conversations and exchange views on current interests
* Enhance your communication skills and strengthen your resume
* Hone your relationship-building skills
 

Need assistance preparing your proposal, polishing your presentation, or building your presentation poster, consider an appointment with an OSCAR Peer Leader: https://oscar.gmu.edu/oscar-peer-leaders

To apply for NCUR, undergraduate students will need to submit an abstract to NCUR’s website by the deadline date. For help polishing your application materials, consider an appointment with an OSCAR Peer Leader: https://oscar.gmu.edu/oscar-peer-leaders.

George Mason’s campus coordinator information:

Karen Lee
klee57@gmu.edu
Associate Director, Office of Student Creative Activities and Research 
George Mason University 
4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-6203

Questions? Please contact OSCAR at oscar@gmu.edu.

OSCAR will provide any undergraduate student that applies, and is accepted, one of two options for travel funding:

1. If you plan on staying for the full conference, OSCAR will pay for charter bus travel, 2-nights in a hotel room (sharing with 3 additional students), and the NCUR conference registration fee. 
2. If you can attend only a portion of the conference, OSCAR can pay for your conference registration fee. Any travel means or room accommodations would not be provided by OSCAR. 

Once OSCAR receives the student names on the accepted abstracts from CUR, our office will be in communication with each student to select their funding option. 

If you wish for OSCAR to fund your registration, please do not pay for registration if prompted by NCUR. OSCAR will purchase group registration for accepted NCUR participants that notify OSCAR of their attendance.

Anyone using OSCAR funding, whether the full amount or just for the conference fees, must attend 2 pre-departure meeting dates. 

If you selected the option for OSCAR to pay for the full conference (charter bus travel, 2-nights in a hotel room (sharing with 3 additional students), and the NCUR conference registration fee). Please do not book and pay for a hotel under your name. The OSCAR department is reserving a block of rooms for students who selected this option. 

If you have any questions about funding, please contact us at oscar@gmu.edu. 

1. If you selected the option to stay the full conference, there will be a charter bus transporting students to Richmond from GMU Fairfax campus on Monday, April 13, 2026 (TBD) and another bus bringing students back to GMU Fairfax campus on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (TBD). 
2. If you can attend only a portion of the conference, students will have to arrange their own transportation to and from Richmond at their own expense. 

Additional Transportation options include: 

• Personal vehicle
• Carpool with other students
  • Parking options: https://www.richmondcenter.com/directions
• Train: nearest station to the Greater Richmond Convention Center: 
  • Richmond Main Street Station: 1500 E Main Street. Richmond, VA 23219