Florida Statewide Symposium:
Best Practices in Undergraduate Research
October 16 – 17, 2026
Orlando, Florida
Hosted by the University of Central Florida and Rollins College
The Florida Undergraduate Research Association invites faculty, administrators, and professional staff to participate in a two-day symposium on strengthening and developing undergraduate research.
All of Florida’s public and private four year universities and state colleges are invited to participate in this conference. The 17th annual event, on October 16-17, 2026, will be hosted by the University of Central Florida and Rollins College in UCF’s Downtown Campus in Orlando, Florida.
Registration and Schedule Information Coming soon!
All of Florida’s higher education institutions are invited to participate in the 17th annual Florida Statewide Symposium on undergraduate research. Registration fees are:
- $108 for individual or institutional members of the Florida Undergraduate Research Association
- $120 for non-members
Registration will open late Summer.
The Florida Undergraduate Research Association‘s Florida Statewide Symposium is a venue for staff and faculty involved in undergraduate research programming around Florida to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other.
Schedule and speakers coming soon
- Keynote Speakers and Plenary Panels coming soon
All the events in the program will be held at the UCF and Valencia’s joint Downtown Campus (500 W Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32801), in the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons and Union West Buildings.
There are a number of hotels in downtown Orlando, near the conference site (UCF Downtown Campus, 500 W Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32801)
Marriott Downtown Orlando:
This hotel is a few yards away from the conference venue and walkable.
The link gives a 20% discount: be sure to select “Marriott Downtown Orlando”.
Residence Inn Orlando Downtown:
A 10-minute drive from the conference site, these apartment-style rooms have a set rate of $149/ night at the link.
Be sure to select “Residence Inn Orlando Downtown” on the landing page.
Towne Place Suites Orlando Downtown:
A 10-minute drive from the conference site, these apartment-stye rooms currently have a rate of $167/night at the link.
Be sure to select “Towne Place Suites Orlando Downtown” from the list.
Please note that these rates are only available until the hotels reach capacity.
If you have questions about the 2026 Florida Statewide Symposium that are not answered here about the Florida Statewide Symposium, please email our@ucf.edu.
When and where will the conference be held?
The 2026 Florida Statewide Symposium will be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at the University of Central Florida’s Downtown Campus (500 W Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32801).
APPLYING TO PRESENT
When is the deadline for submitting a proposal for a presentation?
The organizing committee welcomes abstracts for presentations related to undergraduate research initiatives, best practices, and data on undergraduate research programming before September 4, 2026
REGISTRATION
When is the deadline for registration?
The deadline for registration is Friday, September 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm.
What is the cost of registration?
Registration will cost $108 (117.09 with Eventbrite Fees) for individual and institutional members of the Florida Undergraduate Research Council (FURA) and $120 (129.89 with Eventbrite fees) for non-members.
- Would you like to become a member of FURA? Please visit this link: https://www.floridaundergradresearch.org/join-fura
- Not sure if your institution is already a member of FURA? Please email our@ucf.edu.
May I attend only one day of the conference?
Registrants may attend only one or both days of the conference. However, registration rates will remain the same.
FOOD & TRAVEL
Do you accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions in the event catering?
Yes, please indicate any accommodations in your registration.
The schedule notes that participants are responsible for their own dinner plans on Friday night. Can you recommend any restaurants in downtown Orlando?
Coming soon!
Parking:
There is a parking garage connected to the Downtown Campus. Information about rates coming soon!
E-mail: OUR@UCF.EDU
Tentative Schedule
Day 1 - Friday October 16
- 1:00 pm – 2 pm: Registration
- 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Welcome
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Plenary Panel
- 3:55 pm – 5:20 pm: Concurrent sessions (workshops and presentations)
- 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Poster Session, Reception, and Networking
- 7:00 pm: Dinner on your own
Day 2 - Saturday October 17
- 8:15 am – 9:00 am: Coffee and Conversation
- 8:30 am – 8:55 am: Florida Undergraduate Research Association (FURA) – Open Information Session
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Keynote Presentation
- 10:10 am – 11:20 am: Concurrent sessions (workshops and presentations)
- 11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Concurrent sessions (workshops and presentations)
- 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm: Lunch
- 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm: Roundtables for Action: Expanding Access to Research
- 2:45 pm: Closing
