Frequently Asked Questions

I graduate in May 2026, but URD is in October 2026. Can I still participate?
To present a poster at URD, participants must be actively enrolled at UNT at the time of the event. Students who graduate in May 2026 would therefore not be eligible to submit or present in October 2026, unless they are enrolled in another UNT program at that time. Alumni are still welcome to attend URD, including panel sessions, networking opportunities, and the resource fair. A currently enrolled classmate or collaborator may be able to present the project if all URD guidelines are met, including appropriate faculty mentorship or supervision.

Who is eligible to submit?
Open to any undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researcher
Open to any faculty/principal investigators

What is the submission deadline?
Friday, May 29, 2026

What are the general abstract requirements?
Abstracts must be no more than 750 words (excluding references). References and additional resources may be included on a separate page. Please also include a list of authors and co-authors with their department affiliations; this information does not count toward the 750-word limit. Abstracts should be double-spaced, use Arial or Times New Roman, and be in 12-point font. The recommended structure is: Identification of Problem and Significance, Approach/Methods, Results, and Conclusions, though this format may be modified as needed.

All abstracts must be submitted through the InfoReady portal, where applications will be available beginning April 1.

Do students need faculty approval to present?
Yes. Students must have approval from their faculty mentor, PI, or supervising faculty member to present their research at University Research Day. Student presentations should reflect work conducted under appropriate faculty mentorship or supervision.

Are interdisciplinary or cross-campus submissions encouraged?
Yes. URD supports interdisciplinary research and partnerships across the UNT System.

Are previously published or presented projects allowed?
Yes. Previously presented or published work is welcome, especially when it helps showcase ongoing scholarship and research impact. If applicable, please note the publication/presentation status in your poster.

Can I submit work that is still in progress?
Yes. Projects in progress are encouraged. You may present preliminary findings, methods, or early results—just be clear about the current stage of the work.

Can I submit if I am awaiting IRB approval?
Yes, as long as your submission and poster do not include human-subjects data collected without required IRB approval. You may present your research question, study design, planned methods, recruitment plans, and anticipated analyses while IRB review is pending.