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Requirements

Poster Presentation


If you would like to participate in the Undergraduate Research Fair on the basis of an essay or research project submitted for course work at York, please apply to present a poster.

On the poster application form, you will:

  • write a 250-word abstract describing your project using plain language. Your abstract should include: background about your project (why?); objective (aim of the project?); methods or approach (how?); results (outcomes?); discussion or significance (why is it important?)
  • scan a graded copy of your project. Attach it to the Fair application form.
  • send any additional comments about your project from your instructor, along with proof of grade (if not on the scanned project) by separate email to ugfair@yorku.ca
  • see our FAQ page for more info

Eligibility requirements:

  • You were an undergraduate student at York during the previous year, even if you have now graduated. (If you no longer have access to Passport York, email us to apply: ugfair@yorku.ca.)
  • Your project (e.g., paper, essay or creative work) was submitted between January and December 2020 for an undergraduate credit course at York.
  • Your paper or project received a grade of B+ or higher (the project grade, not the overall course grade).
  • The research was initiated by you for the purposes of the course (i.e., not done under the auspices of another project or as a research assistantship for a faculty member).
  • A creative work or an experiment is acceptable, as long as the work is accompanied by an analytical component.
  • Group projects are accepted. Not every group member has to participate in the Fair, as long as they give permission for other group members to participate.
  • Papers, essays, and projects produced for a York course taught in another language are eligible (but the poster and presentation you prepare for the Fair must be in English or French).

*Only one application to present a poster is allowed. Please choose your best project.

*You can submit up to two applications to exhibit artwork in the Art Walk, in addition to one poster presentation. (You must be present for the poster presentation.)

Not eligible:

  • Projects completed for a non-credit York course.
  • Projects completed for courses at another institution.
  • Research proposals, lab reports, opinion pieces.
  • Creative works without an analytical component. (Apply instead to display your art or design work in the Fair Art Walk.)
  • Research done for purposes other than coursework (e.g., the RAY program).
  • Research done for projects led by faculty or other lead researchers.
  • Posters prepared for another event.
  • Work that has already been published.

Poster presenters agree to:

  • RSVP immediately to confirm your participation: ugfair@yorku.ca
  • Read the Fair Code of Conduct (on our main page)
  • Sign up for a poster design & presentation skills workshop
  • Prepare a poster about your project.
  • Submit your poster pdf by the due date (no extensions) to the Undergraduate Research Fair (ugfair@yorku.ca). We will have your poster professionally printed, at no cost to you, on the condition that it is received by the due date. Posters are yours to keep after the Fair.
  • Arrive at the Fair on time to set up your poster.
  • Be prepared to talk about your project (2 min.) with Fair attendees.
  • Be prepared to describe your project to the awards committee (5+min.)
  • Use plain language to describe your project.
  • Remain beside your poster during the poster session (11am to 1pm) on Fair Day.
  • Attend the welcome and awards ceremony immediately following the poster sessions.
  • Invite family, friends, and your course profs to attend the Fair. (They’re welcome to attend the Reception following the Fair too.)

Contact us immediately if you are not able to meet the poster submission deadline. We may be able to arrange for you to participate, with special permission, but you are then responsible for poster printing costs.

The Undergraduate Research Fair is geared to a multidisciplinary audience. Therefore, the wording, structure, and design of posters, abstracts, and presentations must allow people from other disciplines and communities to understand the project easily. See these tips for plain language use.

Art Walk


If you would like to participate in the Undergraduate Research Fair on the basis of a piece of art or design work submitted for course work at York, please apply to the Art Walk exhibit.

On the application form, you will:

  • write a brief artist’s statement or description of your work.
  • attach an image of your project to the application form.

Eligibility requirements:

  • You were an undergraduate student at York during the previous year, even if you have now graduated. (If you no longer have access to Passport York, email us to apply: ugfair@yorku.ca.)
  • Your art or design work was submitted between January and December 2020 for an undergraduate credit course at York.
  • Your work received a grade of B+ or higher.
  • The project was initiated by you for the purposes of the course (i.e., not done under the auspices of another project or as a research assistantship for a faculty member).
  • The art piece material can be a painting or photograph, a sculpture, a film, or ceramic. (For digital or other formats, please contact ugfair@yorku.ca to discuss.) Maximum dimensions of physical work: 8 feet tall x 12 feet wide x 2 feet deep. (Photographic reproductions may be acceptable if the piece is too large to display.) Please note: due to the circumstances of the fair in 2021, submissions do not need to adhere to the requirements for physical display
  • Submissions must be “gallery ready” (e.g., to hang for exhibition) Please note: due to the circumstances of the fair in 2021, submissions are not required to be gallery ready
  • Group projects are accepted as long as every member of the group gives permission.

*You can submit up to two applications to exhibit artwork. Art Walk exhibitors may also apply to present a poster session.

Not eligible: 

  • Work that cannot be displayed at the Undergraduate Research Fair.
  • Work that cannot be reproduced on the cover of Revue YOUR Review (still images of digital work are acceptable).
  • Work completed for a non-credit York course.
  • Work done for courses at another institution.
  • Work done for purposes other than coursework.
  • Work led by faculty or other lead researchers.
  • Work that has already been published (a previous exhibition is acceptable).

Art Walk exhibitors agree to:

  • RSVP immediately to confirm your participation: ugfair@yorku.ca
  • Read and respect the Fair Code of Conduct (on our main page).
  • Prepare your work for display (e.g., hooks on either side, ready to hang).
  • Deliver the physical artwork to the Art Walk organizer by the end of Reading Week in February.
  • Send a high resolution photo, suitable for publication, to ugfair@yorku.ca by the end of Reading Week in February.
  • Give permission for your artwork piece to be:
    • displayed in the Art Walk, Scott Library Collaboratory, for two months.
    • published on the front cover of Revue YOUR Review (if selected for first prize).
    • reproduced in the e-journal Revue YOUR Review.

Art exhibitors are warmly invited to attend the Fair & Art Walk, but attendance on Fair Day is not obligatory.