FAQS
UMSS27 is Friday, April 16, 2027
UMaine New Balance Field House
Anytime! UMSS accepts both graduate and undergraduate applications, but getting an early start on your research process gives you the most time and potential to be involved.
If you find a faculty member who aligns with your interests, you can speak with them or send them a professional email asking if they would be willing to work with you on your research. You can also check out the Center for Undergraduate Research and the Research Opportunity Board for available opportunities.
If you are interested in participating in research, begin by talking to faculty about your ideas. When your ideas take shape and you find a faculty mentor (it could be the faculty you shared your ideas with), your research has begun. You can submit it to our symposium with your faculty mentors approval.
Presenting your research at a symposium is a great way to sharpen your presentation and communication skills. It looks great on your resume and CV. It allows you to network with fellow researchers, the broader community, and sponsors. It is also great practice for your future endeavors.
The abstract submission Google Form opens Wednesday, January 20, 2027
Yes, student presentations will be highlighted on the UMSS website. Abstracts will also be listed and available for public viewing in the Book of Abstracts. Please consult with your faculty mentor and omit information that cannot be shared with the public.
Friday, March 26, 2027.
An abstract number is a number assigned to your submission based on the category you chose when filling out the Google UMSS abstract submission form.
You will receive an abstract number after our abstract submission Google Form has closed. You do not need to have your abstract number printed on your poster. You should start creating your poster immediately.
Your abstract number will be sent to you by email from um.symposium@maine.edu. If you cannot locate your email with the abstract number, please contact um.symposium@maine.edu as soon as possible.
The abstract number is used to identify your project within the category you chose when filling out the Google UMSS abstract submission form. This is also what is given to judges to find and review your in-person presentation.
You may begin working on your poster whenever you are ready to do so. You do not need your abstract number printed on your poster. The sooner you start working on the poster, the sooner you can get it printed for the symposium!
Yes. If you have received funds from a Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) or Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) Fellowship, you can use those towards the printing of your poster. Please discuss payment options with your faculty mentor or department. UMaine Printing now accepts cash, credit cards, checks, and Bear Bucks.
For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please get in touch with us at 207.581.3583 or um.symposium@maine.edu
We will have volunteers and staff members available to answer questions and assist you during UMSS.
A FERPA hold may affect how you and your research are listed on our website and program. To check or to change your hold status, go to your student MaineStreet service center, click “Other Personal…” and then choose “Privacy Settings” to update your hold. If you have further questions or concerns about your FERPA hold, please contact the UMaine Office of Student Records at 207.581.1288.
When presenting at UMSS, students should dress business casual.
Judging scores will be compiled, and an awards ceremony will take place at the end of the symposium on our stage. We encourage you to stay to celebrate the winners. Our office will reach out to the winners via email the following week to get information so we can process award payments. *This award will be reviewed through the Office of Student Financial Services. If there is a question or issue, the Office of Student Financial Services will reach out to you.
No, you do not need special credentials to sign up to be a judge. We allow graduate students to judge undergraduates, but not other graduate students. Undergraduate students cannot be judges. For more information on judging, please navigate here.
If the student isn’t present when you go to their presentation, try returning at least once or twice more. If the student still isn’t there, but there is a poster, do your best to score the presentation based on the poster alone. If there is no poster and no student, you should still input scores, but use only the lowest possible score for all criteria items.
Because this event is free and open to the public, we encourage the community to attend. Faculty, Staff, and Students from UMaine and other campuses, sponsors, legislators, and businesses and their leaders will also be in attendance.
