Undergraduate students from public colleges and universities in Massachusetts are encouraged to present on any topic of interest in their academic studies. For some, this may be traditional, scientific research. For others, this could include learning and discoveries in areas such as comparative literature, religion, mathematics, public health, education, and more.

In addition, the presentation topic could be derived from:

• Thesis research
• Creative work in the visual and performing arts
• Course assignment
• Independent study
• Community service
• Study abroad experience

Research in-progress may be presented so that feedback may guide or improve a project.

All undergraduate students enrolled at any of the 28 public colleges or universities within Massachusetts – UMass campuses, state universities, or community colleges - are eligible to submit abstracts and present.

Each Presenter is required to have a Faculty Sponsor who is willing to assist them in writing their abstract, review and approve the abstract submission, and provide support in preparation for their presentation.

Once the presentation topic is determined, students need to decide whether it makes sense to present as an individual or as part of a group.

• Individual Presentation: you will submit and present individually, and only you and your Faculty Sponsor’s names will be identified in conference materials
• Group Presentation: you will submit and present with at least one other student, and the names of all students in your group along with your Faculty Sponsor’s will be identified in conference materials

If you submitted a proposal for the 2020 MassURC and would like to present the same research at the 2021 virtual conference, we will automatically accept your previously approved abstract under the following conditions:

1. You are enrolled at one of the twenty-eight public colleges or universities within Massachusetts. 

   • Note: The MassURC system will only recognize abstracts with the same presenter email address. If you have transferred your enrollment to another public school within Massachusetts since submitting your abstract for the 2020 conference, please send an email requesting resubmission directly to conference@honors.umass.edu.

2. The faculty sponsor re-confirms their support for your research to be presented in 2021.

When and How to Submit an Abstract

Steps to submit your abstract:

1. Create a user account in the MassURC registration system which opens Wednesday, December 16, 2020
2. Confirm your account by checking your email
3. Log back into the system to complete all steps for abstract submission (Note: you can save your abstract information and return to it before submitting)
4. Click Submit abstract when you are ready for your Faculty Sponsor to review

Only when you click the “Submit” button will your Faculty Sponsor be notified that your abstract is ready and have access to review. If you do not submit by the March 1, 2021 deadline, you will be ineligible to present at MassURC.

Once you submit your abstract: 

• Your Faculty Sponsor will receive an email notification through the MassURC system and will be able to follow the provided link to review your abstract and either mark it “Approved” or “Needs Revisions.”
• Your Faculty Sponsor has until Monday, March 8, 2021, to review and mark the abstract.
• If your abstract status is “Needs Revisions,” you have until Thursday, March 11, 2021, to make any necessary revisions and re-submit your abstract to your Faculty Sponsor to do a final review.
• Your final abstract must be marked "Approved" by your faculty sponsor no later than Monday, March 15, 2021, for you to be eligible to present.

Once your Faculty Sponsor marks your abstract “Approved,” and you have confirmed all group members if you are presenting as a group, there is nothing further for you to do in the abstract submission process until the system re-opens to accept presentation video presentation URLs on Monday, March 29, 2021.

Note: Students are typically approved to make only one presentation during the conference.