UNT Scholars Day

April 1st, 2027 | University Union 3rd Floor | 9:30am - 4:30pm

Scholars Day is presented by The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Office for the Vice President of Research and Innovation, and the Honors College.

UNT Scholars Day is an annual event that celebrates undergraduate research. At the event, undergraduate students present research or creative activity that they conducted under the guidance of a UNT faculty mentor through poster presentations or oral presentations.

2027 Scholars Day Event Schedule:

9:30 am - 1:45 pm: Oral Presentations, Union 333
- Timeslot 1: 9:30 am - 10:45 am
- Timeslot 2: 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
- Timeslot 3: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm: Student check-in for poster session, Union 314
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm: Poster session, Union 314
3:45 - 4:30 pm: Event reception, Union 314

Multiple raffles will be held starting at 3:00 pm. Raffle winners must be present to win.

Participation Guidelines

Please read these guidelines in full.

All UNT undergraduates are encouraged to participate and do not need to be members of the Honors College.
Research and creative activity conducted under the guidance of a faculty mentor at UNT during the past and current calendar year are eligible for presentation at Scholars Day.
Students who wish to present at the Scholars Day event must apply to present a research poster or an oral presentation by February 22^nd, 2027 at 12:00 pm (noon).
Students are not required to have a finished research project at the time of application for an oral presentation or a poster presentation. Students are only expected to provide their research title, the most current copy of their research abstract, and the information of their UNT faculty research mentor in the presentation application.
Students are encouraged to continue developing their research project and their presentation materials while their application is being processed.
The research project does not have to be concluded by the date of the Scholars Day event. It is understandable that students may not have final results on the day of presentation. In such cases, the student's presentation should reflect the work they have completed on the project to-date and any future directions that they may have for the project.
No team presentations will be accepted. If the student has been working on a research team, their poster can feature the team project but should highlight their individual contributions.

Full presentation guidelines and requirements for each application category will appear within the application links below.

Scholars Day Presentations (Presented on April 1st, 2027)

At the Scholars Day event, students may showcase their research via a poster presentation or an oral presentation. Students presenting at Scholars Day must fill out an application by February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon). Students who wish to present both an oral presentation and a poster, must fill out two applications. No late submissions or incomplete work will be accepted.

2026-2027 URF recipients must apply to present either a poster or an oral presentation at the Scholars Day event to fulfill the URF presentation requirement.

Presentation materials are not due at the time of the application. Students are encouraged to continue developing their research project and their presentation materials while their application is being processed.

Scholars Day Oral Presentation of Research Application

Due February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon).
On Scholars Day, oral presentations of research will be scheduled between 9:30 am and 1:45 pm. Assigned presentation times will be announced in March.
Please carefully review the oral presentation guidelines within the application link.

Scholars Day Poster Presentation Application

Due February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon).
On Scholars Day, poster presentations will occur from 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm. Students presenting a poster must arrive to check in between 2:00 pm and 2:45 pm.
Please carefully review the poster presentation guidelines within the application link.
Scholars Day Poster Printing:
- Students who have an approved application to present a poster at Scholars Day are required to submit their poster to be printed for free by the Honors College using this form: TAMS/Honors College Poster Print Request Form.
- The deadline to submit the Scholars Day poster for printing is March 23^rd at 12:00 pm (noon).
- Students who fail to submit their poster to the form by the stated poster submission deadline will no longer be eligible to present at Scholars Day.
- All posters must follow the formatting and branding guidelines outlined on this page: Poster Creation Tips and Brading Guidelines | University of North Texas.

Optional Competitions

All UNT undergraduates may apply to the below competitive categories for a chance to win a financial award. For each category, 1^st Place receives $450; 2^nd Place receives $350; and 3^rd Place, $250.

The competition winners will be announced at the Scholars Day reception. Thus, these competitions are completed and adjudicated prior to Scholars Day. All competitive submissions are due on February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon). No late submissions or incomplete work will be accepted.

While URF participants may also choose to apply for an optional Scholars Day competition, a competitive submission alone does not fulfill the URF requirement that calls for a Scholars Day presentation application. Thus, URF participants who submit an optional competitive application must also submit an application for a Scholars Day Presentation (poster or oral presentation) to fulfill the requirements of the URF.

Scholars Day 3Min to Share Video Competition Application

Due February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon).
Requires a video submission of a recorded 3-minute research presentation.
Please carefully review the submission guidelines within the application link.

Link to 2023 3Min to Share 1^stPlace Winner

Scholars Day Full Research Paper Competition Application

Due February 22^nd at 12:00 pm (noon).
Requires submission of a full, completed research paper.
Please carefully review the paper guidelines within the application link.

URF Recipients

2026-2027 Undergraduate Research Fellowship (URF) recipients are expected to present at Scholars Day 2027. URF participants are required to submit an application for an oral presentation or a poster presentation to provide confirmation of their participation in research for the 2026-2027 URF. Failure to submit a 2027 Scholars Day presentation application by the deadline, or failure to receive mentor approval for a Scholars Day application, will result in revocation of the 2026-2027 URF scholarship.

While URF participants may also choose to apply for an optional Scholars Day competition, the competitive submission alone does not fulfill the URF requirement that calls for a Scholars Day presentation application. Thus, URF participants who submit an optional competitive application must also apply for a Scholars Day Presentation (poster or oral presentation) to fulfill the requirements of the URF.

For questions regarding the URF requirements for Scholars Day, please contact ScholarsDay@unt.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in Scholars Day?
All UNT undergraduate students are eligible to participate. Students do not need to be members of the Honors College to present at Scholars Day.

Can graduate students present at Scholars Day?
Because UNT Scholars Day is intended to showcase undergraduate research efforts, Scholars Day presenters must be UNT undergraduate students. There are other opportunities for graduate students to present their research at UNT, such as University Research Day.

Is a UNT faculty mentor required?
Yes. Research or creative activity presented at Scholars Day must have been conducted under the guidance of a UNT faculty mentor. Presentation applications for a poster presentation or oral presentation require faculty mentor approval.

Can students present as a team?
No. Team presentations are not accepted. If a student worked as part of a research team, the presentation must clearly identify and highlight the student's individual contribution to the project.

What is required to apply for a presentation?
Students must submit an application with a copy of their current research abstract by the presentation application deadline. Students must identify their UNT faculty mentor in the application. Final posters or presentation materials are not required at the time of application for an oral or poster presentation.

Can the Scholars Day presentation application be edited after submission?
Yes, students are able to edit their application until the mentor form submission deadline. Students are encouraged to plan accordinly to give their mentors enough time in advance to respond by this deadline. To edit their application, students must go to the submission confirmation email they received from noreply@formresponse.com and select the "edit submission" button at the bottom of the email.

What role does the research mentor have in the application?
After the student submits their application, a form will automatically be sent to the UNT faculty member email address that the student listed in the application. Mentors will be asked to review the abstract and to certify the student's ability to present the project at Scholars Day. Students will receive an email when the mentor responds to their application.

What should I do if I entered my mentor's email address incorrectly?
Students should edit their submission, enter the correct mentor email address, and submit the edited submission as soon as possible. To edit their application, students must go to the submission confirmation email they received from noreply@formresponse.com and select the "edit submission" button at the bottom of the email.
To confirm that the mentor email address is correct, students can use this site: Front Page | Faculty Information System

Why hasn't my mentor received an email to approve my application?
When the student submits their application, the mentor form will be automatically sent tot he email address entered on the application.
If the mentor does not receive the form on that date, students should check the application to ensure that the mentor email address was entered correctly. To confirm mentor email address, students can use this site: Front Page | Faculty Information System
If the mentor email address is correct, mentors should seach their inbox for an email from noreply@formresponse.com. Mentors should also check their spam and junk folders.

Can I list a graduate student as my faculty mentor on the application?
No, students must list the UNT Faculty member who is the Principal Investigator for the project in the Faculty Mentor field.

Can I list a post-doc researchers as my faculty mentor on the application?
If the UNT Faculty member who is the Principal Investigator for the project has requested that the student name a post-doc researcher in the mentor field, the student may do so. Please note that a post-doc is a research fellow who has completed their doctoral studies. Students may not list a graduate student in the faculty mentor field.

When will I know if my Scholars Day application is approved?
Students will be notified of their application outcome by mid-March. Final application notices will be sent on a rolling basis, depeding on when the faculty mentor submits their response to the student's application.

What are the poster requirements?
Poster presenters are provided a display area measuring 36" x 24". Posters should be no larger than those dimensions. Posters must adhere to the formatting and branding outlined on this page: Poster Creation Tips and Branding Guidelines | University of North Texas

Are students required to print their Scholars Day poster through the Honors College?
Yes. Students are required to submit their poster to be printed for free by the Honors College using this form: Honors College Poster Print Request Form. Students who fail to submit their poster to be printed by the Honors College by the stated printing submission deadline will be ineligible to present at Scholars Day.

What should I do if I will not have results for the project by the time the research poster is due for submission?
The research project does not have to be concluded in order to present at Scholars Day. We understand that student may not have final results on the poster submission due date (which is after the application deadline). In such cases, the student's poster presentation should reflect the work they have completed on the project to-date and any future directions that they may have for the project.

How long do poster presenters have to stay at Scholars Day?
Poster presenters are expected to stay through the duration of poster presentation session and for the duration of the event reception that immediately follows poster presentations. We ask that students please leave their poster on display until the conclusion of the reception.

How long is an oral presentation?
Students have up to 15 minutes total, including time for audience questions. Presenters may use visual aids such as PowerPoint slides.

What should oral presenters bring?
If using presentation slides or other digital materials, students must bring them on a thumb drive or be able to access them through an internet-based application as as OneDrive or Canva. A laptop, microphone, and projector screen will be available for use. Students must use the provided technical equipment as it will already by connected to the audio and visual systems in the room.

Are visual and physical aids permitted for oral presentations?
Yes, students are able to use visual aids such as digital slides to accompany their presentation. Physical aids are allowed but any demonstrations that involve the use of hazardous materials or potentially dangerous procedures are strictly prohibited.

What time will the oral presentations occur?
Oral presentations will occur in timeslots during the morning of Scholars Day. Students will be contacted by the Scholars Day team in Mid-March with their presentation time assignment.

What are the optional Scholars Day competitions?
Students may choose to participate in:
1. 3-Minute-to-Share Video Competition
2. Full Research Paper Competition
These competitions are optional and separate from the presentation component of Scholars Day

What are the financial award for the Scholars Day competitions?
Yes. For each Scholars Day competition category:

1st Place: $450
2nd Place: $350
3rd Place: $250

What is required for the 3Minutes to Share Video application?
Students must to submit a 3Minutes to Share application by the competition application deadline. A copy of the final, recorded three-minute presentation is required at the time of application. The submission will be abjucated prior to Scholars Day and will nto require a live presentation at Scholars Day.

What is required for the Full Research Paper Competition application?
Students must submit a full research paper application by the competition application deadline. A copy of the completed research paper that communicates the research methods, findings, and significance is required at the time of application. The submission will be adjudicated prior to Scholars Day and will not require a live presentation at Scholars Day.

Is there a Scholars Day poster competition?
No, the poster competition has been supplemented with the 3Minutes to Share and Full Research Paper competitions.

When will competition winners be annouced?
Competition winners will be annouced at the Scholars Day reception. The winning 3Minutes to Share video will be played at the event reception.

Does a competitive presentation fulfill the URF requirement?
No, URF students participating in an optional Scholars Day competition must still complete a Scholars Day presentation (poster or oral presentation) to fulfill the URF presentation application requirement.

What is UNT Scholars Day?
UNT Scholars Day is an annual event that celebrated undergraduate research and creative activity. Students have the opportunity to present their work through poster presentations or oral presentations and to engage with UNT faculty, staff, and fellow students.

What Scholars Day presentation formats are available?
At the Scholars Day event, students may present their work as a poster presentation or an oral presentation. Students may apply for one or both presentation formats, but separate applications are required for each.

What is the dress code for presenters at Scholars Day?
Students are encouraged to wear business professional attire. They will presenting to peers, faculty, staff, and university leadership.

Are students required to stay for the reception?
Poster presenters are expected to leave their posters on display and to remain in attendance through the conclusion of the reception. All students are strongly encouraged to attend the reception. Raffle winners must be present at the reception to claim prizes.

Can I invite people to watch my presentation at Scholars Day?
Yes, guests are welcome to attend all aspects of Scholars Day.

Who should students comtact with questions?
Students may contact the Scholars Day team ScholarsDay@unt.edu, with questions regarding applications, presentations, or participation.

Contact

For questions about the Scholars Day application or event, please contact ScholarsDay@unt.edu.

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