Support Your Research

Poster Printing Support from OURS

OURS offers free poster printing to support research and creative projects by undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. We send posters to RUC!

Note: We are unable to print posters for standard class presentations. This service is intended to support the dissemination of research and scholarly work, ideally reaching beyond the campus community.

How to Submit Your Poster

• Submit your file through our online poster submission system.
• Upload a PDF and make sure your file has the correct dimensions.
• Please allow:
  • At least 1 week for printing and delivery
  • 2 weeks during November or April

Need it faster? Email us at ours@radford.edu — we can often turn around a poster within 2 days if needed.

Need Help Creating Your Poster?

We’ve got you covered:

• Watch our 4-minute guide: How to Create a Poster
• Templates available in vertical and horizontal formats.

Final Reminders

• Review your poster at 100% zoom to check visual clarity. Monitors in campus conference rooms display close to actual printed size.
• If an image looks blurry on screen, it will print blurry — and unfortunately, that’s not something we can fix during printing.
• This is a poster, not a paper or oral presentation!
  Keep it visual: use graphics, avoid big blocks of text, and let your design do the talking.
• If possible design one edge to be either 36 or 44 inches in length.
• It must prominently display the official Radford University graphic identity (found at www.radford.edu/lockup).
• It must acknowledge OURS for the printing of the poster. You should also acknowledge anyone who helped you who is not an author and any funding support such as travel to a conference to present this work.
• Use lighter backgrounds with dark text. Dark colors can use enough ink to make the paper appear bumpy.
• Font size should be 36 or larger for all text other than references.
• Leave a 3/4 inch margin.

Present Your Work at the 35th Annual Student Engagement Forum

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) invites undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines to present their scholarly or creative work at the 35th Annual Student Engagement Forum at Radford University!

This signature event celebrates student achievement and offers a chance to share your work with the campus and community.

Key Dates

Poster Presentations: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Oral Presentations: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Deadline to Apply to Present:
Midnight on March 11, 2026

Poster File Submission Deadline:
Monday, April 6, 2026 (for printing)

Who Can Apply?

Students from all majors working on original research, creative projects, or community-engaged work—solo or in groups—are welcome to submit. Work can be at any stage, and all presentations must be mentored by a faculty or professional staff member.

What You’ll Need to Apply

• Title of your project
• Faculty/staff mentor’s name and contact info
• Preferred format: poster, oral, and other types of presentation welcome
• Group members names and email (if applicable)

The application link will open in January 2026

Questions?

Email ours@radford.edu or visit us in Whitt 118–126. We’re happy to help you prepare your presentation, organize a special session, or answer questions about the event!

Apply to Present at the 7th Annual Winter CARD

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) invites Radford University students to showcase their research, scholarly, or creative work at the 7th Annual Winter Creative Activities and Research Days (CARD) this December!

Whether you’re presenting a project in progress or celebrating a completed one, this is a great opportunity to share your work and gain experience presenting to an academic audience.

Event Schedule

Oral Presentations: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Poster Presentations: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Deadlines

Application to Present: Due by midnight, November 4, 2025

Poster File Submission: Due by Monday, November 10, 2025 (for printing)

What You’ll Need to Apply

• Project title
• Faculty/staff mentor’s name and contact info
• Preferred format: poster, oral, and other types of presentation welcome
• Group member names (if applicable)

Application link now open!

Who Can Apply?

All currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students working with a faculty or staff mentor are eligible to apply. Projects may be:

• Research-based
• Creative or performance-based
• Scholarly or community-engaged work
• In any discipline and at any stage of development

Group presentations are welcome!

Questions?

Email ours@radford.edu or stop by the OURS office in Whitt 118–126. We’re happy to help you prepare!

Undergraduate Research Travel Awards

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) supports undergraduate students presenting their research or creative work at professional conferences and events; whether in-person or virtual.

Apply for Travel Support

Submit your application here at least 30 days before your conference begins.
You can apply as soon as you’ve submitted your abstract or application to present; even if you haven’t received confirmation yet.

Need help planning or unsure how to start? We’re happy to talk through your questions before or after you apply. Just email ours@radford.edu to set up a meeting.

Travel Application Tips

When you apply for funding, you’ll be asked for:

• Travel dates (departure and return)
• Hotel details (name, address, reservation info)
• Names of travelers (students and any faculty also attending)
• Don’t have all the details yet? That’s okay—go ahead and apply. We’ll confirm the rest in a follow-up meeting with OURS.

Lodging Reminder:
Per Commonwealth of Virginia policy, Airbnb and similar short-term rentals are not allowed for university-funded travel. Please use a hotel or approved lodging option.

Pro Tip: Many hotels don’t charge until check-in or will allow free cancellation if done more than 72 hours in advance. Make a reservation early - even if you’re still finalizing travel plans. It’s the best way to secure a room, especially when hotels fill up quickly around conference dates.

Important: Do not book flights before receiving official travel approval. All airfare must be booked according to university travel policy and contracts.

Before You Go

Whether your event is in person or virtual, be sure to:

• Bring a printed resume or link to your LinkedIn, ePortfolio, or online resume
• Consider ordering official student business cards through RU Printing Services
• Sign up for any professional development sessions offered at the event

Funding Details

• OURS funds up to $750 per student, with a maximum of $1,500 per project
• Funding is only available for undergraduate students who are presenting
• Any costs beyond OURS support must be covered through personal funds or another source

If OURS rents a vehicle for your group, students are expected to travel in that vehicle or cover alternative travel out of pocket.

Undergraduate Research Scholar Transcript Designation

The Undergraduate Research Scholar designation recognizes Radford students who go above and beyond in contributing to their field through faculty-mentored research, scholarship, or creative inquiry outside the classroom.

This transcript distinction is customized based on your academic discipline. For example, if you complete qualifying work in Dance, your transcript will say:
Dance Research Scholar

The designation is determined by the nature of your project and the department of your faculty mentor.

Applications can be submitted at this link.

Deadline Reminder: To be included in the Winter Commencement program, applications must be started by November 1 and for the Spring Commencement Program applications must be started by March 30.

Who Qualifies?

To earn this distinction, you must meet the following criteria:

• Two semesters (or ~30 weeks) of research, scholarship, or creative inquiry under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Summer work counts!
• Presentation or publication of your work in at least one of the following:
  • A state, regional, national, or international conference
  • A juried venue (art exhibit, concert, performance, etc.)
  • A peer-reviewed research or professional journal (published or accepted)
  • The Radford University Student Engagement Forum (or another pre-approved campus event)
• Mentor endorsement confirming your work was appropriate, discipline-specific, and made a contribution.
• A written reflection including:
  • ~250–500 words on how your work contributed to your field (many times an abstract from your last presentation can be used)
  • ~100–300 words on how the experience shaped your growth as a student and professional

How to Apply

Submit the online application and be sure to fully complete the form. Once submitted, it will automatically route to your faculty mentor for approval.

Have questions? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS): Whitt 118-126
ours@radford.edu or 540-831-5537

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

Applications closed until November.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) invites undergraduate students from all disciplines to apply for Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF). The SURF grant program supports students conducting original research or creative work over the summer at Radford University.

The goal is to build a vibrant, collaborative community of undergraduate scholars working with faculty mentors during the summer months.

Fellowship Details

Each fellowship includes:

• $6,000 student stipend (half at the beginning of June and the second half at the beginning of August)
• $1,500 faculty mentor stipend (at the beginning of August)
• Additional funds for supplies or student support, managed by the mentor

Projects are expected to be 30 hours a week for 10 weeks over the summer months. The exact weeks are determined by student and mentor availability. It is expected and encouraged to take vacations during the summer. Students are to participate in biweekly virtual professional development workshops.

How to Apply

SURF applications will reopen in November 2025.

Once open:

• Students complete the SURF Application
• Faculty mentors submit a letter of support using a Qualtrics form. A direct link will be emailed based on the address entered in the student’s application.
• Download the materials to prepare:
  • Request for Proposals
  • 2025 Application Template (Word)

Student applications must be submitted by midnight on February 11, 2026.

Faculty letters must be submitted by noon on February 13, 2026.

Eligibility

To apply, students must:

• Be currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduates at Radford University
• Graduate after Fall 2026
• Propose a project under the guidance of a Radford faculty or staff mentor
• Be available for the full 10-week summer period
• Have not received a SURF award previously
• Submit only one application per year
• Obtain IRB approval if their research requires it
• Attend at least half of the development workshops offered during the summer
   
  Questions?

Email us at ours@radford.edu or call 540-831-7203. We’re happy to talk through your ideas and help you prepare a strong proposal.

OURS Student Seed Grant

Supporting early-stage student research and creative inquiry projects

The OURS Student Seed Grant provides up to $500 to help undergraduate students launch new research projects. This small grant is designed to help you take those first steps — whether you’re gathering supplies, paying for access to archives or equipment, or exploring a new creative idea.

Who can apply?

Any Radford University or Radford University Carilion (RUC) student working on a new mentored project that falls under undergraduate research can apply here.

What can the funding be used for?

Examples include:

• Project supplies or materials
• Research-related travel
• Software or access fees
• Equipment not available elsewhere on campus
  Note: These grants are not intended for existing projects, conference travel, or class assignments.

Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting in August. We will continue reviewing until:

• All available funds are awarded, or
• February 28, 2026 — whichever comes first.

How are decisions made?

Applications are reviewed by the OURS staff. If there’s a disagreement about funding, appeals can be made to the OURS Advisory Committee.

Application Overview

The application is short and student-friendly. You’ll be asked to provide basic information and :

• Brief description of the project (250 words max)
  Explain what you're doing, why it matters, and what you hope to learn or create.
• How will the funds be used? (150 words max)
  Be specific. Example: “$200 for data collection software license, $100 for printing 3D model components.”
• Estimated timeline for your project
  When will you start? When do you expect to finish or reach a milestone?
• Faculty Mentor Agreement
  We’ll send a quick confirmation form to your mentor to verify their support.

Click below to begin your application link to Qualtrics application.

Questions?

We’re happy to help workshop ideas, talk through a budget, or answer questions about what’s eligible. Just email us at ours@radford.edu or stop by Whitt 118–126.

Apply to the Highlander Research Blitz

Deadline to apply: February 20, 2026
Calling all Radford and RUC students! Want to show off your research or creative project in just three minutes? Apply now for the 2026 Highlander Research Blitz — a fun, fast-paced competition hosted by OURS and the Office of Graduate Affairs.

What’s the Research Blitz?

Finalists will have 3 minutes and 1 PowerPoint slide to explain their mentored research or creative inquiry to a general audience. Prizes awarded to the top grad and undergrad presenters!

Event Date: April 1, 2026
Location: TBD
Time: 5-7:30 p.m.

Who Can Apply?

Radford undergraduate or graduate students (main campus, RUC, RHEC, SVHEC) with faculty-mentored research or creative inquiry — at any stage — are eligible.

How to Apply

Complete the online application and submit a 3-minute audition video by February 20, 2026.

Video Tips:

• Film horizontally on a plain background
• Use a static shot (no panning or zooming)
• Include your single PowerPoint slide
• Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or another sharable link
• Camera quality doesn’t matter—focus on clarity and communication!
• Need a quiet place to record? OURS recommends using Zoom or a campus conference room.

Selection & Final Event

Finalists will be notified by February 27, 2026. If selected, you'll present live at the April 1st competition to a panel of judges and community members.

Competition Rules

• 3-minute max presentation
• No note cards or props (unless pre-approved by March 27)
• Slide must be static—no animations, sound, or video
• Speaking starts the timer (not your title slide) 

Judging Criteria

Clarity of Research Question: Is the research question clear, well-defined, and compelling? Can the audience immediately grasp the central focus of the study?

Relevance: Does the presenter effectively draw connections between the research and the audience's experiences, interests, or professional needs, keeping them actively engaged?

Research Impact: Does the presenter clearly and compellingly convey their research results’ significance, connecting findings to broader implications with insight and clarity?

Overall Presentation Skills: Is the presenter confident, poised, and engaging? Do they use strong eye contact, clear voice delivery, and effective body language to help maintain audience attention?

Awards

Top graduate and undergraduate presenters will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.

Need Accommodations?

We’re committed to accessibility! Contact OURS (Whitt 118) or Graduate Affairs (Whitt 108) for support:

OURS: ours@radford.edu | 540-831-5537
Grad Affairs: gradaffairs@radford.edu | 540-831-5724

Nominate Your Mentor: OURS Outstanding Mentor Award

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) is proud to celebrate the incredible faculty who guide and support student researchers at Radford University. Each year, the OURS Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes faculty who go above and beyond in mentoring undergraduate research and creative inquiry.

This is OURS highest faculty honor — nominated and selected by students.

Nominations will open this winter!

Nominate your mentor by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Nomination Form Link 

What Makes an Outstanding Mentor?

Nominees should demonstrate a strong commitment to student development and excellence across these areas:

• Student Growth & Independence
  Actively challenges and supports students of all backgrounds to grow as independent thinkers and scholars.
• Creating Meaningful Opportunities
  Builds a safe and supportive space for learning and helps students develop transferable career skills.
• Sharing & Impact
  Helps students share their work through presentations, performances, or publications, while showing how their work matters beyond the classroom.
• Career & Professional Development
  Offers thoughtful guidance and professional connections, helping students pursue jobs, internships, or graduate school.

Eligibility

To be considered, a nominee must:

• Be a full-time faculty member (T&R or AP) at Radford University
• Have at least one year of experience mentoring undergraduate researchers
• Not have won this award previously
• Be nominated by a current undergraduate student

All nominees will be notified after winners are announced in the spring.

Past Recipients

2021 – Sarah Foltz & Maggie Pate
2022 – Chet Bhatta & David Sallee
2023 – Jeff Aspelmeier & James Robey
2024 – Dayna Hayes & Tara Pelletier
2025 – Stockton Maxwell & Francis Webster
 
Questions?

Contact OURS at ours@radford.edu or stop by Whitt 118 — we’re happy to help!