Research Fair

SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Illini Union Rooms A, B, C, and South Lounge

Join us at the 2026 Research Exploration Fair, a campus-wide event presented by the Grainger College of Engineering. Showcase your work, recruit talented and motivated undergraduate students, and connect with students eager to gain hands-on research experience.

With more than 1,000 students attending each year, the Research Exploration Fair is a valuable opportunity to engage prospective researchers and raise the visibility of your research group.

Why Participate?

• Reach a large audience: Connect with more than 1,000 students from across campus who are interested in research opportunities.
• Recruit talented students: Introduce prospective undergraduate researchers to your work and find students who are a strong fit for your research group.
• Build your graduate student pipeline: Increase awareness of your research among students who may pursue graduate study and future research careers.
• Increase research productivity: Engage motivated students who can improve your research and degree timelines
• Increase visibility: Showcase your research and help students across campus learn more about your group’s work.

Choose How You Participate

Host a table
Faculty-led research groups are encouraged to register for a table to showcase their research and recruit undergraduate students. Faculty do not need to staff the table themselves—graduate or undergraduate students from your research group can represent your group and share their experiences with prospective researchers.

Present a poster
Graduate students can participate in the poster session by presenting their research and engaging with undergraduate attendees interested in contributing to their work. Graduate students are welcome to present an existing research poster, making this an easy way to share your work and connect with students interested in research opportunities.

Undergraduate students are also welcome to present a poster and engage their peers in conversations about their research experiences and how they got involved.