The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), hosted in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), will be an opportunity for undergraduate students and their mentors from around the world to present their research, celebrate their successes, and prepare for their future.
NCUR @ Richmond | April 13-15, 2026.
Explore Graduate Studies at VCU
The Graduate School at VCU is home to more than 140 master’s, doctoral and certificate programs. Additional information about each program, including program concentrations, courses, and admission requirements, can be found in the VCU Bulletin, the official source for academic course and program information.
International & out-of-state graduate students
The Graduate Education Innovation Program (GEIP) offers a distinctive tuition and fee structure for out-of-state and internationals students, designed to make our prestigious graduate programs more accessible and affordable.
Go Beyond the Podium
Experience VCU firsthand. Curated school tours and professional development designed for NCUR attendees!
VCU is excited to host "Beyond the Podium", a series of curated school tours and professional development sessions designed for NCUR undergraduate attendees. These experiences offer a unique opportunity to step off the conference floor and into the heart of VCU’s graduate programs, research, and professional landscapes.
This series goes beyond campus tours to offer hands-on professional development. Throughout the event, you can sign up for multiple specialized sessions hosted by the Graduate School Professional Development Office, the Writing Center, and Career Services. Attendees will also get a firsthand look at the cutting-edge research and clinical environments within the College of Engineering, the College of Health Professions, and the School of Medicine.
Professional and career development
Learn more about the VCU Graduate School's professional development office here
Thinking about graduate school, but not sure where to start? This interactive workshop explains what graduate school is, why people choose it, and how advanced degrees can support your career and personal goals. We will cover how to explore programs, what admissions committees look for, and the basics of strong applications, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, and timelines. You will leave with a clearer sense of whether graduate school is right for you and practical next steps if you decide to apply. Registration is not required for these sessions; open to all conference attendees.
Session times:
Learn more about VCU Career Services here
This workshop will help undergraduate students learn how to tailor their résumés to highlight the specific research, skills, and experiences graduate programs value most. Whether you’re applying for a Master’s, PhD, or professional school, this session will help you craft a compelling document that makes a strong first impression. Registration is not required for these sessions; open to all conference attendees.
Session times:
Learn more about the Writing Center at VCU here
Writing about yourself can be intimidating, especially when something important like a scholarship or admittance to a program is riding on one short piece of writing. In this interactive workshop, we will look at examples of strong, successful personal statements, as well as less successful ones, and give you the tools you need to write your best statement. Registration is not required for these sessions; open to all conference attendees.
Session times:
School and college tours
Once you register for the NCUR Beyond the Podium school and college tours, you will receive a confirmation email securing your spot and logistical details closer to the event date. VCU will provide transportation from and to the Greater Richmond Convention Center to the session location. We ask that all attendees plan to arrive early at the shuttle pick-up point to ensure a timely departure.
Please note that capacity is limited. If a session is full, a waitlist will be available during the registration process. To ensure as many peers as possible can participate, we kindly ask that you cancel your registration if your plans change, allowing those on the waitlist to move up.
This session offers a deep dive into VCU College of Engineering's state-of-the-art facilities, where Ram Engineers are shaping the future.
- Tour the College of Engineering’s building, labs, and facilities
- Chat with current graduate students
- Meet program representatives and make connections!
Register for a session:
Discover what makes VCU College of Health Professions one of the very best at equipping future health care leaders with the skills they need to build stronger, healthier communities!
- Tour the CHP building featuring study areas, auditorium, patio, “smart apartment,” anesthesia simulation suite, and more!
- Chat with current graduate students
- Meet program representatives and make connections!
Register for a session:
Join us to explore the VCU School of Medicine graduate programs that prepare independent thinkers for transformative careers in the health-related sciences and biomedical research.
- Tour labs and clinical research spaces on the Health Science Campus
- Chat with current graduate students
- Meet program representatives and make connections
Register for a session:
A University for Richmond
27,000+ employees at VCU and VCU Health Systems
$6 billion economic impact as Richmond's largest employer
1,200+ alumni-owned businesses in Richmond
39% of alums live in Richmond
UNparalleled Support
Join us at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
Tuesday, April 14 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
What happens at the interdisciplinary intersection of technology and creativity? Join us for Confluence of Science and Arts in the Age of AI, an exclusive, unscripted fireside chat with University leaders as they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the intersection of creativity and scientific discovery. By ditching the traditional lectures and presentations, this 60-minute session guarantees a candid, strategic conversation about the future of our University in an AI-driven world.
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Manu Gupta, Ph.D.
Vice provost and dean of the Graduate School
Moderator
Art Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D.
Interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
Panelist
Carmenita Higginbotham, Ph.D.
Dean, VCUarts, Special Assistant to the Provost
Panelist
P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D.
Vice president for research and innovation
Panelist