FAQS
You will receive an abstract number after you have submitted your abstract through the UMSS abstract submission Google form, and it has been approved by your faculty mentor. Your abstract number is NOT needed to start your poster and is not required to be on your poster.
Judging scores will be compiled, and an awards ceremony will happen at the end of the symposium on our stage. We encourage you to stay to find out who has won and support fellow students. Our office will reach out to winners via email the following week to get information so we can process award payments.聽*This award will be reviewed through the office of student financial services. If there is a question or issue, the聽Office聽of Student Financial Services聽will reach out to you.
UMSS26 is Friday, April 17, 2026
91福利 New Balance Field House
As soon as possible! UMSS accepts both graduate and undergraduate applications, but getting an early start on your research process gives you the most time and potential to be involved. In addition, it enables you to potentially participate in multiple UMSS events.
If the student isn鈥檛 present when you go to their presentation, try returning at least once or twice more. If the student still isn鈥檛 there, but there is a poster, do your best to score the presentation based on the poster alone. If, after returning once or twice, the student still isn鈥檛 present and there is no poster at the station, you should still input scores, but use only the lowest possible score for all criteria items.
If you are interested in participating in research, begin talking to faculty about your ideas.聽 Once your ideas take shape and you find a faculty mentor, your research has begun, and you are at a place where you feel you are ready, you can submit it to our symposium.聽
If you find a faculty member who aligns with your interests, you can speak with them or send them a professional email asking if they would be willing to work with you on your research.
Presenting your research at a symposium is a great way to sharpen your presentation and communication skills. It looks great on your resume and CV. It allows you to network with fellow researchers and sponsors.聽 It is also great practice for your future endeavors.
An abstract number is a number assigned to your submission based on the category you chose when filling out the Google UMSS abstract submission form.
Your abstract number will be sent to you by email from聽um.symposium@maine.edu. If you cannot locate your email with the abstract number, please contact聽um.symposium@maine.edu聽as soon as possible.
The abstract number is used to identify your project within the category you chose when filling out the Google UMSS abstract submission form. This is also what is given to judges to find and review your in-person presentation.
You may begin working on your poster whenever you are ready to do so. You do not need your abstract number printed on your poster. The sooner you start working on the poster, the sooner you can get it printed for the symposium!
Abstract form opens Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Friday, March 27, 2026.
For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please get in touch with us at 207.581.3583 or聽um.symposium@maine.edu
A FERPA hold may affect how you and your research are listed on our website and program. To check or to change your hold status, go to your student MaineStreet service center, click 鈥淥ther Personal鈥︹ and then choose 鈥淧rivacy Settings鈥 to update your hold. If you have further questions or concerns about your FERPA hold, please contact the 91福利 Office of Student Records at 207.581.1288.
Yes, student presentations will be highlighted on the UMSS website.聽 Please consult with your faculty mentor and omit information that cannot be shared with the public.
Yes. If you have received funds from a CUGR or MSGC Fellowship, you can use those towards the printing of your poster. Your department or lab may also be willing to pay for your poster. 91福利 Printing now accepts cash, credit cards, checks, and Bear Bucks.聽
No, you do not need special credentials to sign up to be a judge. We allow graduate students to judge undergraduates, but not other graduate students. Undergraduate students cannot be judges. For more information on聽judging,聽please navigate here.
When presenting at UMSS, students will want to dress business casual.
Because this event is free and open to the public, we encourage the community to attend. Faculty, Staff, and Students from 91福利 and other campuses, sponsors, legislators, and businesses and their leaders will also be in attendance.聽
We will have volunteers and staff members available to answer questions and assist you during UMSS.
