Undergraduate Research Competition

About the Program

The Association of Private Enterprise Education (APEE) invites current undergraduate students to apply for admission to the APEE Undergraduate Research Competition. Successful applicants receive an invitation to present their research in a poster session that takes place in conjunction with an all-conference reception.

Participants in the competition talk to professors and other attendees about their research. A jury composed of APEE members selects the top three presentations for awards. Conference attendees are invited to vote for a Members’ Choice award. Awards are presented at the annual Business Luncheon.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be 21 years of age by April 11, 2027 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 faculty sponsor to inquire about the availability of travel funding.

Application Procedure

To apply, please prepare one PDF attachment to include the following:

  • Cover page with applicant information:
    • Full Name;
    • Email Address;
    • University Affiliation;
    • Major Field of Study; and
    • Faculty Sponsor 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.

Applicants should submit one PDF attachment to the Undergraduate Research Competition Committee at apee.youngscholars@ttu.edu.

Important Dates

  • Application Open: Thursday, October 1, 2026.
  • Priority Application Deadline (United States/Rest of World): Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
  • Standard Application Deadline (United States/Rest of World): Monday, January 4, 2027.
  • Application Deadline (Europe): Monday, March 1, 2027.

Note about Application/Decision Timeline

Applicants from outside the United States and Europe are advised to submit by either the Priority (December 1) or Standard Deadline (January 4).

Priority applications from the United States/Rest of World will receive a decision on or before Tuesday, December 15, 2026. Standard applications from the United States/Rest of World will receive a decision on or before Monday, January 18, 2027.

Applications from European students will be reviewed on a rolling basis following the Standard Deadline (January 4). After the initial decision date (January 18), applicants will receive a decision approximately 1-2 weeks after submission. Applicants from Europe submitting at the deadline (March 1) will receive a decision on or before Monday, March 8, 2027.

Contact APEE

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