CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researchers Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Computing Research Assocation

Program overview

The CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards recognize undergraduate students at North American colleges and universities who demonstrate exceptional potential in computing research. While strong academics and community service are expected, research excellence is the primary evaluation criterion. Nominations are submitted by the nominee’s department; students may not self-nominate. Successful nominees typically have documented research contributions and faculty support.

• Recognizes undergraduate research potential in computing.
• Research excellence is the principal criterion.
• Nominations are submitted by departments, not by students.

Eligibility

Students enrolled as undergraduates at North American colleges or universities in Fall 2026 are eligible for the 2026–2027 award cycle. The department chair or head must electronically sign the nomination form to confirm that the nominee is in good standing and eligible. All nominations require the chair/head’s signature, and students cannot submit nominations themselves. Eligibility is confirmed at the time of nomination submission.

• Open to undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2026 in North America.
• Department chair/head signature is required on the nomination.
• Self-nominations are not permitted.

Department nomination limits

Departments that grant Ph.D. degrees in a computing field may nominate up to four students per year. Departments that do not grant Ph.D.s in a computing field may nominate up to two students per year. Departments should allocate nomination slots strategically to represent their strongest undergraduate researchers. The limits are enforced per department each award cycle.

• Ph.D.-granting departments: up to four nominees.
• Non-Ph.D.-granting departments: up to two nominees.
• Limits apply per department each year.

Awards

Multiple awards are granted annually to outstanding undergraduate researchers. Each recipient receives up to $1,500 to attend a research conference of their choice. The program also recognizes runners-up, finalists, and honorable mentions; recipients in all categories are announced and contacted directly. Award certificates are mailed to recognized students.

Award Value: Financial assistance of up to $1,500 per award recipient to support conference attendance.

Application Timeline: Award recipients and other recognized nominees are announced on the program website and contacted by e-mail in mid-December; certificates are subsequently mailed.

• Multiple awardees and additional recognitions (runners-up, finalists, honorable mentions).
• Up to $1,500 per award to support conference travel.
• Announcements and direct contact occur in mid-December.

Nomination materials (department submission)

Nomination is submitted on behalf of the department chair but may be prepared and filed by a designated representative. Each nomination must include a faculty letter of recommendation and the student-prepared materials. Recommenders may be any faculty who previously worked with the nominee, not necessarily from the same department or institution. Letters should not exceed three pages and should address the research problem’s significance, the nominee’s specific contributions, and relevant leadership or community engagement.

Required documents: One faculty letter of recommendation plus the student’s resume, research summary, personal statement, and academic transcript (unofficial acceptable).

• Chair/head must approve and sign the nomination submission.
• One faculty recommendation letter (≤ 3 pages) is required.
• Recommenders need not be from the nominee’s home department.

Student materials (what nominees prepare)

Nominees must provide a resume (up to two pages), a research summary (up to 750 words), a personal statement (up to 300 words), and an academic transcript (unofficial accepted). These documents are shared with the nominating department and uploaded as part of the official nomination. Materials should emphasize the nominee’s research contributions, clarity of exposition for a non-specialist CS audience, and any leadership or community involvement that complements their research record.

Resume: Up to two pages; include project descriptions, mentor names, research institution, publication citations, and submission status for manuscripts under review.

Research Summary: Up to 750 words; explain the research problem and its significance, detail challenges, describe the nominee’s specific contributions and tasks, and clarify individual versus collaborative work.

Personal Statement: Up to 300 words; describe interests and activities outside research and any challenges encountered in obtaining or sustaining research involvement.

Academic Transcript: Provide an academic transcript from the institution; unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Resume (≤ 2 pages), research summary (≤ 750 words), personal statement (≤ 300 words), and transcript required.
• Research summary should be accessible to CS professors outside the nominee’s subfield.
• Resumes must list project details and publication information when applicable.