UCO Advances Research Mission with Strong Showing at NCUR 2026
May 4, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma continues to demonstrate its commitment to undergraduate research at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Richmond, Virginia, where UCO had the most delegates presenting outside of the host institution.
A total of 149 UCO students, faculty and staff represented the university at the national conference, underscoring Central’s growing impact and presence in undergraduate research. This year, UCO also reached a record 190 accepted research abstracts, a more than 90% acceptance rate of submitted abstracts, highlighting the depth, rigor and expanding scope of student research across campus.
“NCUR is an event where the University of Central Oklahoma consistently and resoundingly makes a statement in both the overall number of students presenting and the outstanding quality of undergraduate research that occurs on campus. Guided by dedicated faculty mentors, our students produce meaningful, high-impact work that is recognized among the best across the country and around the globe,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“At UCO, we remain committed to fostering innovative research opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These experiences not only advance knowledge but enhance workforce readiness, contributing to a stronger future for our state and beyond.”
Of those accepted abstracts, 136 students presented research projects spanning a wide range of disciplines, including biodiversity, artificial intelligence, economics, psychology, cultural analysis, design, history, language, multimedia, nursing and forensic science.
NCUR is one of the nation’s premier conferences dedicated exclusively to undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity across all disciplines. This year, the conference welcomed 5,200 attendees from more than 550 institutions worldwide. Unlike traditional academic conferences, NCUR is designed specifically for student researchers and welcomes participation from institutions of all sizes and types.
UCO’s continued success at NCUR aligns with the university’s broader commitment to advancing its research enterprise as it works toward achieving Research 2 (R2) designation. UCO already meets the minimum annual research expenditure threshold and was one of only 216 institutions nationwide to receive the 2025 Research College and University designation. With continued investment in research and its two doctoral programs, the university is well-positioned to achieve R2 status.
For more information about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma continues to demonstrate its commitment to undergraduate research at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Richmond, Virginia, where UCO had the most delegates presenting outside of the host institution. A total of 149 UCO students, faculty and staff represented the university at the national conference, underscoring Central’s growing impact and presence in undergraduate research. Pictured, the UCO delegation poses for a photo with UCO President Todd G. Lamb and First Lady Monica Lamb.
