SURF 2026, hosted by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, in the University Center (UC) Ballroom. The SURF website is currently being updated with instructions. SURF will include 2-3 poster sessions, depending on the number of student presenters and Lightning Round Oral Talks. Please share this information with the faculty and undergraduates conducting research in your departments.
In prior years, the SURF Team has been tasked with returning abstracts that were not formatted properly. We are asking that the research mentors, or a designated person in your lab, be responsible for reviewing the abstracts prior to submission. This will alleviate the SURF Organizational Team from sending abstracts back to the mentor and student, and will speed the process of adding the abstract to the SURF website.
To assist with preparation for SURF, we will host several workshops prior to SURF. All presenting students are encouraged to attend these workshops:
- How to Write an Abstract, Date TBD, The Learning Collaboratory, University Center, Rm. 115. SURF 2026 Sample Abstract
- Virtual How to Create a Scientific Poster in Canva Workshop, date to be determined, please check back for updates.
- Research Poster Support Office Hours with Research Graphics, date to be determined, please check back for updates.
- Lightning Round Oral Talk Rehearsals
- date to be determined, please check back for updates.
- Lightning Round Oral Talk will be held in MEYER 030 (Chemistry Building, Lecture Hall ll)
- Poster Presentation Practice Sessions, date to be determined, please check back for updates.
- During the week of July 27, presenters will receive an email at the address they entered on their Abstract Submission form with additional information about the session and a sign-up link.
- PowerPoint version of 2026-poster-Template-w-Tips
Poster Requirements and Deadlines:
40”wide by 30” tall max size
Be mindful of the use of the UMBC logo on what type of background. Check https://styleguide.umbc.edu/graphic-elements/
for other elements and logo styles.
Export as a PDF when finished to upload for printing. Have your mentor approve of the finished file before uploading to print form.
Printing deadline for Research Graphics is:
Tuesday, July 28th by 5:00pm EDT.
Email: researchgraphics@umbc.edu with questions.
Students may also register to attend the workshops above. Registration is encouraged, but not mandatory.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- The abstract submission and SURF registration deadline is July 22, 2026
- Deadline to submit posters for printing by UMBC Research Graphics is July 28 at 5pm EDT.
Abstract Requirements and Templates 2026
Please check the SURF website for updates at https://surf.umbc.edu
SURF Organizational Team
The College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
UMBC
http://surf.umbc.edu/