ConnectUR

Aligned with CUR’s mission, the ConnectUR conference provides a platform for attendees to engage in professional development, explore innovative practices, and collaborate with peers dedicated to advancing impactful research programs. By attending, participants gain valuable strategies to enhance the research environment at their institutions, build stronger communities, and contribute to a national movement that champions the role of undergraduate research in addressing real-world challenges.

The 2025 ConnectUR conference will highlight the role of undergraduate research in addressing important challenges and fostering positive change within communities and institutions. With the theme The Power of Undergraduate Research: Solutions for a Better World, this year’s event will provide an engaging forum where both on-site and online attendees can share knowledge, participate in collaborative discussions, and build community connections. By focusing on practical, scalable practices and the scholarship of teaching and learning, participants will explore how undergraduate research can drive innovation and progress within their own educational environments. The conference will emphasize emerging trends and offer insights into how students, faculty, and institutions can utilize undergraduate research to make a meaningful impact on their campuses and beyond.

This conference is open to all individuals with a commitment to or interest in the practice of undergraduate research and the impact it has on participants. That includes faculty, staff, administrators, and many more.

Join us for ConnectUR 2025: from Monday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 18, in Grand Rapids, MI, or participate online from Tuesday, June 24, to Wednesday, June 25.

The onsite program will be held at the Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

This two-hour preconference workshop equips participants with practical tools to move from discussion to action in creating sustainable improvements in their institutions. Building on insights from prior sessions (Beyond Buzzwords [ConnectUR 2024] and Adapting Access: Building Resilience in Evolving Practices [Critical Conversation April 2025]), this hands-on workshop focuses on real-world application, providing participants with the tools and confidence to implement meaningful change in their institutions.

Through a blend of case studies, collaborative problem-solving, and guided action planning, attendees will explore how to navigate challenges such as limited resources, institutional constraints, and stakeholder buy-in. Participants will engage in interactive activities, including scenario-based workshops and a strategy showcase, to develop initiatives tailored to their unique contexts. The workshop will conclude with reflection, peer feedback, and resources for continued engagement.

Mentors play one of the most important roles in URSCI Programs. However, with increasing demands on faculty, the support provided to mentors from program offices and department leads is critical. Join this preconference workshop, facilitated by CUR members from a variety of institutions, to learn how they recruit, support, and maintain strong pools of mentors. Facilitators will share programming and models they have developed with a focus on curation of support based on the stage of the career (graduate student, post-doc, and faculty -or- their position type (tenure-track, teaching-track, affiliate faculty), ways in which to embed and engage all within URSCI programs (beyond 1-1 mentoring), including support for CUREs. They will also address how partnerships provide additional support for the programming developed. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their successes and challenges and leave with plans appropriate for their campus program.

CUR membership is NOT required to participate, but you will need to create a CUR account to register.

Two days will include unique content as an online offering and three days will include unique content as an in-person offering. You can choose to attend either online, onsite, or both.

The onsite program will run on June 16, 2025, between 4:00-6:30 pm, ET, on June 17, 2025, between 8 am-6:15 pm ET, and on June 18, 2025, between 8:00 am-3:00 pm ET. Note: There are some pre-conference workshops on Monday, June 16, 2025, in the morning that require separate registration. The online program will run on June 24, 2025, between 11:30 am-5:00 pm, ET and June 25, 2025, between 11:30 am-3:30 pm, ET.

The early bird registration deadline is April 18, 2025 (Online Only and Bundle), the regular registration deadline is May 30, 2025 (Onsite and Bundle), and the late registration cut-off is June 6, 2025 (Onsite and Bundle) and June 18, 2025 (Online Only)

See the registration fee table above.

Please see CUR’s Event Policies and Procedures page for questions related to accepted payment types, registration cancellation policy, substitution policy, schedule and agenda changes, data and photo use, and code of conduct. Specific dates for check payment and cancellation/refund/transfers are included below.

Yes. Payment is required at the time you register. If you are paying by check, please see the address instructions. Until payment is received, your registration is not complete.

Online content sessions will be recorded and made available for at least three months post-event.

Group Rates available: 3+ from same institution is 15% off. 5+ from same institution is 25% off. Can not be stacked with other discount codes. All registrants must register through the main institution membership contact. Please contact CUR@CUR.org to get your group rate invoice.

Credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are all accepted.) Check payment must be received by June 6, 2025.

CUR will honor cancellation requests and provide a refund, less a $50 processing fee, for all requests submitted in writing no later than May 20, 2025. No refunds will be permitted after May 20, 2025. Please submit cancellation requests in writing to cur@cur.org. Transfer of registration to another individual before the cancellation deadline is free of charge but subject to member classification charges due to differences in conference rates. Transfer of registration after the cancellation deadline will be charged a $50.00 transfer fee. Institutions may not substitute one participant for another without prior approval of the CUR National Office.