General GRS Information (2026)
The Graduate Research Symposium (GRS) is UNC Charlotte’s premier interdisciplinary graduate student-run conference, proudly showcasing the bold, brilliant, and boundary-pushing research of graduate and professional students across all programs. Join the GRS planning committee here. 2026 GRS Planning Committee Sign-up Form - Google Forms
2026 Theme: The Power of Possibility: Reimagining Research for a Changing World
This year’s theme invites graduate students to imagine big and think differently. We're living through rapid, global transformations—climate change, artificial intelligence, migration, social justice movements, and economic realignments. GRS 2026 challenges you to explore how your work fits into (or flips) these narratives. If your research dares to ask “What if?” or “Why not?”, we want it front and center.
Important Dates
- Symposium Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
(Kicks off Graduate Student Appreciation Week, April 6–10)
- Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
(Poster and Paper Submissions Open Soon!)
Why Present at GRS?
- Share your research with a multidisciplinary audience
- Gain professional experience presenting scholarly work
- Represent your graduate program on a university-wide stage
- Compete for monetary awards in your presentation category
- Show the world what Niner excellence really looks like
We’re expecting fierce competition this year—only the most compelling and high-impact research will be selected. So if your work pushes boundaries, now is the time to shine.
Judging Criteria
All students whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at GRS 2026 are eligible to compete for a monetary award in their respective category. A multidisciplinary panel of faculty and expert judges will evaluate presentations based on the following criteria:
Oral Presentation
- Knowledge of Topic
- Organization and Approach
- Vocal and Physical Delivery
- Clarity for a Lay Audience
- Originality and Application of the Work
Poster Presentation
- Research Content
- Presentation
- Poster Appearance
Sponsors and Support
The Graduate Research Symposium is proudly sponsored by the Graduate & Professional Student Government (GPSG) and the Division of Research at UNC Charlotte. Additional support has been provided by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Thomas L. Reynolds Center for Graduate Life and Learning, whose ongoing commitment helps make this annual celebration of graduate scholarship possible.