Announcing:
THE 18TH ANNUAL GRADUATE ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
Saturday, February 21, 2026
MSU Union
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What is the GAC?
The GAC is a forum for graduate students to gain experience communicating their research to a non-specialized audience. Our adjudicators are MSU Alums (many graduate school alums!) with wide-ranging professional backgrounds who provide feedback that can help students fine tune their presentation skills.
The annual GAC is the result of hard work and planning by our all-graduate & professional student committee.
As a presenter, you will benefit from constructive feedback that will help you learn to better communicate your research to generalized audiences as you progress in your research. You will also be able to network with your peers across disciplines as well as with your audience of judges and other interested professionals attending the conference! As an attendee, you will be able to view the great work being done by student researchers as well as have access to workshops geared to help all graduate/professional students!
Who is eligible to participate? ALL MSU Graduate & Professional students! Masters/PhD and all professional students – at any point in your program. ALL disciplines. ALL colleges. The GAC is a great place to hone your skills as a communicator and presenter! Communication is a skill that takes practice. The GAC helps students get the practice and provides feedback they need to become better communicators.
Abstract Submission/Registration (click/tap to open section)
2026 GAC – General Information
Event Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Location: MSU Union (2nd & 3rd Floors)
Deadline to Submit Abstracts: Friday, January 16, 2026 **SUBMISSION IS NOW CLOSED**
Presenter Fee: $5.00 (paid with abstract submission)
Presentation Formats:
- POSTER: Poster (material and size is your choice/no specific requirements) – Be prepared to give a 3-5 minute summary, followed by 3-min. Q/A to judging panel.
- ORAL: PowerPoint Digital presentation. You will have 10 minutes to present, followed by 3-min. Q/A to judging panel.
- 3-MINUTE THESIS: Digital- 1 single static PowerPoint slide (no transitions). Presenters will be given 3 minutes to present their thesis and must abide by the national rules. More information can be found by clicking on the 3-MT Tab on this website below.
Multiple Submissions: You may participate with multiple presentations as long as they are in different formats. You may NOT have more than one presentation in any one format. For example, you may not present multiple posters, but you may present one poster and one 3MT entry.
Presentation Materials: Upload Digital Files by February 10th to: https://bit.ly/GACPresentationSubmission26
- POSTER: Just bring your poster with you on the day of the conference. You will take your poster to your assigned easel. You can attach it to the provided easel board. Clips, tape etc will be provided. Staff will be available if you need assistance.
- ORAL: Please upload your file by the deadline. It is recommended that you bring your presentation on a thumb drive as well, for back up.
- 3-MINUTE THESIS: Please upload your file by the deadline. It is recommended that you bring your presentation on a thumb drive as well, for back up.
Info Sheets:
Conference Registration Form:
*Please register to attend the conference. Includes access to view student presentations, workshop and other activities, keynote and lunch.
CO-presenters and Non-Presenters: Even if you are NOT presenting, you are welcome to attend the conference to watch your peers’ presentations, participate in activities, attend our Keynote event and more! There is no charge for any of the events. For co-presenters where your primary presenter has completed the Abstract Submission form – please fill out the attendee registration form as well to be counted for lunch and activities!
KEYNOTE: Noon – Luncheon @ 2nd Floor Ballroom
Topic: Navigating Constrains and Prioritizing Impact in Responsible Biomedical Research
Featured Speaker: Dr. Ana DeCarvalho, PhD, MSU Neurosurgery, and Henry Ford Health
FIRESIDE CHAT with the Provost: 1:30 to 2:15pm – Lake Ontario Rm
WORKSHOP: 2:30 to 3:45pm – Lake Ontario Rm
Workshop Time: 2:30pm to 3:45pm Lake Ontario Room (MSU Union – 3rd Floor)
Discover how your graduate research can become the foundation for real-world innovation. This session will guide you in exploring the intersection between academic inquiry and entrepreneurship, how ideas born in the lab, studio, or field can evolve into impactful startups or ventures. Learn from experts and peers who have turned research into opportunity, and gain insight into campus resources that can help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.
This workshop will include a panel discussion, and interactive Q&A
*Sorry we do not have livestreaming capabilities at this time, so workshop will be in-person only.
Free Professional Photograph Head Shots
All conference attendees are invited to take advantage of free professional head shots, which will be offered:
- Location: Second Floor, MSU Union
- Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Sign up onsite/first come-first-served
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
*Subject to minor changes
Room Themes 2026 (click/tap to open section)
| Pedagogical & Research Advancements
This session will focus on either of two key areas: innovations in research tools contributing to knowledge growth or innovative approaches in education and pedagogy aimed at expanding knowledge. For the research aspect, submissions may explore advancements in methodologies and tools that enhance the rigor and efficiency of research across various disciplines. In the realm of education, abstracts could cover new teaching methods, curriculum designs, and educational technologies that not only enrich learning experiences but also actively contribute to the acquisition of knowledge in diverse fields. |
Community Engagement & Social Impact
This session highlights academic research that explores the ways in which communities are engaged and the social impact of such connections. Topics may include community-based projects, partnerships between academic institutions and communities, and the measurable outcomes of community engagement initiatives. |
| Sustainable Solutions
This session focuses on research that showcases innovative technologies designed to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability. Submissions may cover a range of topics, including renewable energy sources, eco-friendly materials, sustainable manufacturing processes, and advancements in waste reduction and recycling technologies. |
Innovate for Tomorrow
This session highlights your most recent and impactful findings. Whether it’s a breakthrough in medical science, an innovative technological solution, or expanding perspectives in your field, we encourage abstracts that communicate the results and implications of your research. |
3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Information (click/tap to open section)
What is 3MT?
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by Ph.D. students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props. The winner of MSU’s 3MT competition will have the opportunity to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT in April 2025. Students must be enrolled during the Spring 2025 semester to compete. For more information about the 3MT, including criteria for judging etc., see here: https://mags-net.org/three-minute-thesis-award/
We strongly encourage you to visit: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au for more information on 3MT.
For Conference Day, Please upload your slide (digital file) no later than February 10, 2026: Presenters should also bring a copy of their presentation slides on a USB drive if unforeseen technological difficulties occur preventing access to the submitted presentation.
LINK TO UPLOAD will be posted soon. (Or you may email to gac@cogs.msu.edu)
2026 GAC Program
*Will be posted here when available for February 21, 2026 conference!
Keynote Speaker (click/tap to open section)
2026 Keynote Information
Time & Location: Noon – Luncheon @ 2nd Floor Ballroom
Topic: Navigating Constrains and Prioritizing Impact in Responsible Biomedical Research
Featured Speaker: Dr. Ana DeCarvalho, PhD, MSU Neurosurgery, and Henry Ford Health
Workshops (click/tap to open section)
Time: 2:30pm to 3:45pm Lake Ontario Room (MSU Union – 3rd Floor)
Discover how your graduate research can become the foundation for real-world innovation. This session will guide you in exploring the intersection between academic inquiry and entrepreneurship, how ideas born in the lab, studio, or field can evolve into impactful startups or ventures. Learn from experts and peers who have turned research into opportunity, and gain insight into campus resources that can help you take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.
This workshop will include a panel discussion, and interactive Q&A
*Sorry we do not have livestreaming capabilities at this time, so workshop will be in-person only.
FAQ & Forms for Speakers and Presenters (click/tap to open section)
FORMS & DOCUMENTS:
CONFERENCE DAY SCHEDULE *(Not yet available)
PRESENTATION / JUDGING SCHEDULE – CLICK HERE! *(Not yet available)
PRESENTATION INFORMATION – Click Here!
RUBRICS for All Presentations – Click Here!
*For Conference Day: Due by February 10, 2026 – UPLOAD Presentation File(s) Here : https://bit.ly/GACPresentationSubmission26
Presenters should also bring a copy of their presentation slides on a USB drive if unforeseen technological difficulties occur preventing access to the submitted presentation.
Poster Presenters: Any (reasonable) size and orientation poster will do – there are no specifications on size for this conference, as we know that many of you have posters with specific sizes you are using for other conferences. We want you to be able to use those here if applicable, because the GAC is great place to practice for upcoming industry conferences and get constructive feedback! We’ll have large easel boards as well as wall boards for hanging your poster, so there are flexible options. You’ll be assigned an easel/space number and we’ll have clips and tape, etc. that you can use to attach your poster. Staff will be available to assist if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do we register as co-presenters? Will we required to submitted separate Abstracts and pay the registration fees separately?
If you have co-presenters, please fill out the Conference Registration Form to be counted for the workshops, keynote, meal, and more! You will not need to fill out a separate Abstract Submission Form or pay the Presenter Fee. Only the primary presenter must fill out the Abstract Submission Form and pay the Presenter’s Fee for the group. separately to be counted for the workshops, keynote, meal, and more! However, you do not need to fill out a separate Abstract Submission Form or pay the registration fee separately. Only the primary presenter must fill out the Abstract Submission Form and they can pay the registration fee once for the group.
Can I have multiple submissions?
Yes! You can enter multiple presentations as long as they are in different formats. You may NOT have more than one presentation in any one format. For example, you may NOT have two posters. But you may have one poster presentation and one oral presentation. Please submit a separate Abstract Form for each presentation you are submitting. (You will only need to pay the $5 once however.)
Can I only attend the conference without presenting? How should I proceed?
Great – yes! Please fill out the Conference Registration Form so that we have your workshop preference and will count you for the meal, if applicable.
Do I need to be an enrolled student to participate?
*Yes. In order to participate as a presenter at this conference, you must be a currently enrolled graduate or professional student at MSU. Please note that in order to win prize funds for the presentation categories, you will need to be enrolled in Spring of 2026 to receive the funds because they are distributed through the office of financial aid as a scholarship award. **If you are a graduate/professional student/post doc that is not enrolled in classes Spring26 semester, you can let us know and if we have room, you may be able to present, though you would not be eligible to win prize funds.
Do I need to be an enrolled student to attend the conference?
No. Staff, faculty, post-docs, students not currently enrolled, and friends, family, are encouraged to attend.
Do I need to be the first author on a research project to present?
No. You can still present as long as you have permission from the author and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Can I present a published research project?
Yes. You can still present as long as you have permission and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Can I present a research project that has been presented at a different conference?
Yes. You can still present as long as you have permission and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Please remember – you will be getting critical feedback on how well you explain and communicate the research and not on the quality or content of the research itself.
Poster Resources at MSU (click/tap to open section)
Resources
Poster Printing
Don’t know where to get your poster printed? Look into your department first to see if there is a place to print posters. If not, there is a poster printer in the library and at Erickson Hall that can help! Below is a little bit of information that may be helpful for you as well!
Where can I get a poster printed & how much does it cost for a poster?
Find the answers here:
- MSU Library: https://lib.msu.edu/node/1886123/
- Erickson Hall: https://education.msu.edu/resources/buildings-technology/service-center/
- The poster printing service is only available to MSU Students and Faculty/Staff. You must have a valid MSU NetID to log into computers that support the software needed to send a poster.
Having trouble designing your poster?
Follow this link to a cool new poster presentation called the Better Poster! https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/06/24/theres-movement-better-scientific-posters-are-they-really-better
Undergraduate Research at MSU has some good information about Research Posters: https://venture.msu.edu/posters
Here are some additional links to youtube videos about poster design and how to make a poster in PowerPoint.
How to Create a Better Research Poster in Less Time
Mike Morrison on Better Posters
How to Use Science to Make Your Scientific Poster More Powerful
Important Information for Judges (click/tap to open section)
2026 CONFERENCE DAY SCHEDULE – *TBA
PRESENTATION/JUDGING SCHEDULE – *TBA
Please check in at the registration area in the Lobby Area outside of Union Ballroom (2nd Floor). Registration table will open at 9:00 AM. If you have any questions throughout the day, please feel free to ask someone at Registration (or GAC Staff member) Please note, the GAC Committee is scheduling Judge “orientation/training” sessions and will update this information here and via email. There will likely be late changes due to presenters and/or judge cancellations. We’ll do our best to provide up to date information during the event. GAC Staff and volunteers will be there to help! You can always find us at the Registration area outside the Ballroom on Floor 2.
There will be a Judges Lounge located in the MSU Room.
Click on the link above if you need a quick glance at presentation times or location. Or come to the Registration Area (2nd floor outside of ballroom) if you need assistance!
- You will receive an email with all day-of details that you will need.
- We will have a session onsite at the conference to go over responsibilities for the conference and to help with any concerns.
- Session assignment times will be emailed to you. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions!
- Thank you for your service! Go Green!
- Questions? Contact the COGS Office: office@cogs.msu.edu or call (517) 353-9189.
Previous Conferences (click/tap to open section)
Past Programs:
Thank you to all who volunteered, judged, attended, presented, and planned our 12th Annual GAC! See below for pictures of the event.
Please see here for article – The State News
2019 GAC Photo Gallery
2018 GAC Photo Gallery
Videos from VIRTUAL GAC 2021 (click/tap to open section)
Thank you all for attending this year’s conference! The day went so well and we could not have asked for better presentations! Thank you to our judges for all of your hard work! We also want to thank our workshop organizers/presenters and our Keynote speaker Provost Woodruff from MSU. The day was a huge success and we are so happy that the first ever virtual GAC was enjoyed by all that attended!
Below you will find the videos that we collected from the conference. We only recorded the Keynote Address and the Awards as we did not want any issues with research grants to effect our student presenters as they continue their work.
For those that attended the conference you are still able to access Whova for the videos as well. Thank you for your attendance and we look forward to next year’s conference!
Awards
Keynote
MSU Union Information
Address: 49 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48824
Accessibility
The accessible entrance to the MSU union is located on the Abbot Road (west) side of the building. There is a ramp located to the right of the main doors and an elevator directly to the left once inside the building. There is a circular driveway drop off area on Abbot Road close to the ramp.
Directions & Parking: Click Here
*Closest parking ramp is Ramp 6 – also known as the Grand River Parking Ramp. Ramp is pay-by-plate 24/7. There are also metered parking spaces located in an around the Union. Metered spaces are FREE on weekends. You may also find free spaces behind nearby as well. MSU Campus Maps – Michigan State University
