Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation

What is the Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, and Innovation (SRCI)? 

CSUSM hosts an annual internal competition to select ten SRCI projects that will represent CSUSM at the system-wide CSU Student Research Competition. During this internal competition, undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines present their research conducted as part of a CSUSM-sponsored project. 

2026 CSUSM Symposium

Join us for the 2026 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, and Innovation, where we will select the top ten projects to represent CSUSM at the 40th annual CSU Student Research Competition.

• Date: February 27, 2026
• Times: TBD 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
• Location: TBD Markstein Hall
• Deadline to apply: January 30, 2026 by 5:00 pm
  • There are limited presentation slots, so submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received.
• Organized by: The Office of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR) and Committee for Undergraduate Research (CUGR)

Guests: Support your peers, witness innovative research, and celebrate the achievements of our talented CSUSM students. All members of the campus community and supporters are invited to attend. If parking is required, please notify ogsr@csusm.edu.

Participants: Showcase your research, creative activities, and Innovation. Gain valuable experience and have the opportunity to represent CSUSM on a statewide stage. Submit your project and be part of this incredible journey! 

Application Information

• Application Process
  • Read the Participation Criteria: Ensure you understand the requirements. 
  • Log into InfoReady: If you don't have an account, you'll be prompted to create one. 
  • Complete the Application: Include your written summary. Ensure your submission is the most updated version, as it will be considered final.
  • Use Your School Email: Check it regularly for all correspondence.
  • Group Submissions:
    • Plan for no more than two total presenters.
    • Designate one person to submit. Each group should choose one member to handle the submission process. 
    • Include the names and emails of all group members in the application. Ensure spelling is correct. 
    • Select one person from your group to be the travel representative. Only one representative from the winning group will travel as a CSUSM delegate.   
• Written Summary Guidelines

  Haven't written a project summary/abstract before? 

  Different disciplines have different approaches for the organization of the project narrative/description (or "body" of the paper). One common approach is the IMRaD format, but this may not be the format most common in your discipline. 

  • • Introduction – what is the topic; why study it? (may include a thesis statement and/or research question)
    • Materials & Methods – how was the research conducted?
    • Results – what was found in the research?
    • Discussion & Conclusions – what do the findings mean?

  Note: It is important to communicate your research clearly and effectively to a general audience. 

  Check-out: 

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison: Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper (includes sample abstracts from the humanities, social sciences, and sciences)
  • SACNAS: How to Write a Successful Abstract (Webinar) 
  • Published papers in your discipline that have a project summary/abstract
    
• Oral Presentation Guidelines

  Students will present their work orally before a jury and audience. Each student will have ten minutes for an oral presentation of their work and three minutes to listen and respond to judges and audience questions. It is expected that a student will not make a presentation by simply reading directly from the written summary.

  All entrants may use audiovisual materials as appropriate, and presenters are encouraged to use delivery techniques that promote interaction with the audience.

  Entrants in the Creative Arts and Design category may present an audio and/or visual recording of a performance they have given or a work they have created; their oral presentation should focus on the rationale and historical context underlying their interpretation of the material.

  Note: It is important to communicate your research clearly and effectively to a general audience. 

• Faculty Mentor Approval

  Upon submitting your application, your faculty mentor will receive an email notification.

  Faculty mentors must approve submissions within three days by responding to the email.

  Check with your advisor to ensure they receive the confirm your submission.

  Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with event details.

• Awards, Travel, and Delegate Expectations

  Top presenters in each session will receive a cash award and the chance for one team member to represent their project at the CSUSM Student Research Competition. 

  This prestigious event highlights outstanding undergraduate and graduate research across all 23 CSU campuses. 

  Student Delegate Expectations: 

  If your project is selected to advance to the CSU Student Research Competition, are expected to:

  • Attend your full presentation session
  • Support fellow CSUSM students by attending at least one additional session
  • Participate in the closing awards ceremony

   

  Note: If a delegate is unable to meet these expectations an alternative delegate may be assigned. 

Participant Information

• Prep Session

  Prior to the event, we will be hosting a session to help you better prepare with tips on presentation, PowerPoint dos and don’ts, logistics, and event statewide competition guidelines.  

  Date:  February 03, 2026

  Time: 12:00-12:50 pm 

  Location: Mark 103 

  Presenter:  Richard Armenta

• Resources

  Resource Page

  Participation Criteria

• Event Agenda

  Oral Presentations: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

  Reception: 3:15 PM in the MARK Lobby

  Awards Ceremony:  4:00 PM in MARK 125

• CSUSM Delegate Coaching Session
  We will offer individual 20-minute coaching sessions to the ten student delegates. We know you will practice with your research mentor, and this would be an additional opportunity to help make your presentation sparkle. Details will be sent to student email. 
• Special Accommodations or Accessibility
  It is requested that individuals requiring auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify the event sponsor at least seven working days in advance. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Judges & Mentors

Be a part of something special by volunteering as a judge or moderator! Your involvement can make a huge difference in our student's success. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage with innovative, creative activities, and research while supporting our talented students. If this sounds right for you, please sign up. 

• Judge Details

  Judge Information Video

  For judges, we are seeking a commitment to the following: 

  Before the event: Review the participants' papers in your assigned room.

  During the event: Proceed over their oral presentations and choose a finalist and runner-up from your room.

  If this sounds right for you, please sign up. 

  Note: Juror's areas of expertise may not necessarily align with the specific disciplinary category they are evaluating.

• Moderator Details

  Moderator Information Video

  Primarily responsibilities:

  Timekeeping: Ensuring that each presenter adheres to their allotted time for presentations.

  Room Management: Facilitating smooth transitions between sessions and maintaining order within the presentation rooms.

  Introductions: Welcoming attendees, introducing judges, and presenting each student presenter.

  If this sounds right for you, please sign up.

Symposium Sessions: 

• Session 1: MARK 101

  2:00-2:15 PM: 

  2:15-2:30 PM: 

  2:30-2:45 PM: 

  2:45-3:00 PM: 

  3:00-3:15 PM: 

2026 CSU Student Research Competition

_{In spring 2026, San José State University will proudly host the 40th Annual California State University Student Research Competition. This prestigious, three-day statewide event showcases outstanding research, scholarship, and creative work by undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines across the CSU’s 23 campuses.}