Undergraduate Research Competition

About the Program

The Association of Private Enterprise Education (APEE) invites current undergraduate students seeking to attend and participate in the APEE 50th Meeting to apply for admission to the 2026 Undergraduate Research Competition.

Successful applicants receive an invitation to register for the meeting and present their research in a poster session that will take place in conjunction with an all-conference reception on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Participants in the competition should be prepared to talk to professors and other attendees about their research.

A jury composed of APEE members will select the top three presentations for awards. Conference attendees will be invited to vote for a Members’ Choice award. Awards will be at the Business Luncheon on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be 21 years of age by April 5, 2026 to be eligible for an invitation to participate.

APEE policy requires that all applicants must be accompanied by a faculty sponsor. Faculty sponsors must complete and sign a Sponsor Responsibility Agreement Form, which explains student and faculty responsibilities and obligations for attendance and participation in the meeting.

The Sponsor Responsibility Agreement Form is available here: Sponsor Responsibility Agreement Form.

All participants in the Undergraduate Research Competition and accompanying faculty sponsors must register for the meeting and pay the corresponding registration fees.

Unfortunately, APEE cannot offer registration waivers or travel support for participants in the competition. APEE encourages students to contact their institution’s Office of Student Activities or potential faculty sponsor to inquire about the availability of travel funding.

Application Procedure

To apply, please provide the following:

  • The applicant’s contact information (name, affiliation, email address);
  • A copy of the applicant’s photo identification (drivers license, passport, or other official document) showing proof of age (21+);
  • An abstract (600 words or less), which outlines the proposed research question, methodology, supporting literature, and expected findings; and
  • A completed Sponsor Responsibility Agreement Form.

Please compile all requested materials as one PDF attachment and submit to the Undergraduate Research Competition Committee at apee.youngscholars@ttu.edu.

The deadline to apply for a Young Scholars Program Award is Friday, January 30, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified and invited to register for the meeting by Friday, February 6, 2026.

Contact APEE

Interested applicants may contact the APEE office at apee.youngschlars@ttu.edu.