Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
Students who engage in research and creative activities as undergraduates have higher learning gains, such as problem solving and critical thinking skills, and increased self-confidence and independence. Good problem solving and critical thinking skills are highly valued in today's workplace - no matter the field of study you decide to pursue. Is undergraduate research for you?
CURCA organizes different programs and events throughout the academic year to help support your research at sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú. Browse our site, reach out to a CURCA Ambassador for advice, or find a faculty member in your department and contact them about engaging in research and creative activities. Or, contact us and let us help you find a research mentor.
Our office is proud to be part of the Ascend Centers.
Upcoming CURCA Events
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Spring 26 CURCA Travel Grant Workshop
January 21 (Wednesday)
Noon — 1:00 PMJoin the CURCA team as they provide students with a general overview and help with any questions for our 2026 Spring CURCA Travel Grant application available on . Undergraduate students may apply for up to $600 in travel costs to present research at external conferences occurring before September 30, 2026. The application deadline is January 30, 2026 by midnight in . This workshop is virtual over Zoom on January 21 at noon. Please email questions to CURCA@ung.edu.
Zoom: Go.ung.edu/curcazoomroom -
Abstract Workshop for ARC 2026
February 4 (Wednesday)
Noon — 1:00 PMJoin the CURCA team as we give an overview of applying to the 31st Annual Research Conference (ARC 2026) and discuss writing abstracts. We will present an overview of how to create a fantastic abstract to submit to ARC 2026 and answer any related questions. Deadline to submit an abstract for consideration into the 31st Annual Research Conference is February 13 by midnight on the . Please email questions to CURCA@ung.edu.
Zoom: Go.ung.edu/curcazoomroom
Click here for more information about ARC 2026 -
Presentation Workshop for ARC 2026
March 4 (Wednesday)
Noon — 1:00 PMLearn how to present at a conference for the upcoming 31st Annual Research Conference - all students are welcome! Dr. Diogo Pinheiro, CURCA Assistant Director, will be leading this workshop and give a general overview on how to present for both oral presentations and poster sessions at this conference. Please email questions to CURCA@ung.edu.
Zoom: Go.ung.edu/curcazoomroom
Click here for more information about ARC 2026 -
31st Annual Research Conference (ARC 2026)
March 20 (Friday)
9:00 AM — 3:00 PMLocation: GVL Nesbitt 3110 A/BThe University of North Georgia's 31st Annual Research Conference will be held on the Gainesville Campus in the Martha T. Nesbitt building and will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 9 am to 3 pm. We will hold poster sessions and live oral presentations. This event is free and open to the public.
ARC invites sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú student research presentations, posters, and creative activities from across the disciplines. Specific guidelines for each type of presentation are listed on our website as well as instructions on how to apply. We are looking for interesting, innovative, and thought-provoking research and creative projects.
sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú students can submit a 250-word abstract by February 13, 2026 to be considered to present their research or creative activity. We will begin accepting submissions in our in December 2026 ().
Program Deadlines
Find more details on the specific program pages.
Fall Semester
- Fall Travel Grants due third Friday in September
- Student-Faculty Collaborative Mini-Grants due last Friday in September
Spring Semester
- Spring Travel Grants due last Friday in January
- Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE), faculty apply in early February and students are hired to research teams in March/April
- Annual Research Conference, submit abstract by mid-February
- CURCA Faculty Excellence Award, faculty apply in early April
