Director of Undergraduate Research
Join Us!
Come celebrate URCAD’s 30th anniversary on April 22, 2026!
The event will be moving to a bigger space in the RAC… how do you see your work being presented there?
Posters, oral talks, films, exhibits, and performances are welcome. URCAD is open to all majors and group projects are accepted. You can present your capstone, Honors thesis, REU research, or you can be unaffiliated with a scholars program.
Applications to present mentored research or creative work will be available on January 2, 2026 here on the web. Applications will be due by February 16th and require a 200-word abstract and mentor approval. See you at the RAC as we showcase UMBC student research and art and throwback to the 90s!
April Householder, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research and Prestigious Scholarships
Your Journey Starts Here:
Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film. Over 300 presenters participate annually. Researchers work with faculty mentors on independent research, or research that is part of the mentor’s on-going projects. They are from all disciplines, and can be working on a thesis, capstone project, part of a scholars or honors program, or they can be unaffiliated. This campus-wide celebration of achievement affirms UMBC’s commitment to the twin goals of research and a distinctive undergraduate experience.
All current undergraduates who have conducted research, scholarship or creative work in the last year may apply to present their results at URCAD. Mentors, fellow students, friends, family members, high school teachers and students, graduate school recruiters, and the general public are invited to attend.
Please email aprilh@umbc.edu with any questions.
URCAD in a Minute
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