The Carolyn & Norwood Thomas Undergraduate Research and Creativity Expo is UNCG’s annual celebration of undergraduate inquiry, creative practice, and faculty-mentored scholarship. Students from across the university are encouraged to participate, and each of the Expo’s seven disciplinary categories will award first through third place prizes, including monetary support.
Students who wish to be considered for these awards must select the option to be judged during the abstract submission process. The Expo will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the EUC Cone Ballroom. The registration portal will be open from January 21 to February 18, 2026. Submission instructions and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Expo website.
Students interested in having their work considered for the Sustainability Award should:
- Prepare a research or creative project that meaningfully engages sustainability.
At UNCG, sustainability reflects the interconnectedness of social equity, environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and aesthetics. Projects may explore these dimensions through applied research, artistic expression, community collaborations, design practices, or digital and material production. - Submit an abstract through the Expo portal during the official submission window. Within the submission form, students must select the Sustainability designation and opt into judging to be eligible for Sustainability awards.
- Demonstrate sustainable principles in action.
Successful submissions show how a project:
- Reduces environmental impact;
- Advances social well-being or equity;
- Strengthens community resilience or economic vitality; and/or
- Contributes creatively to a more sustainable, livable world.
Projects submitted to the Sustainability category may also be considered for discipline-specific awards in the sciences, humanities, arts, or other Expo areas. The rubric used for judging submissions can be found here.
Awards
Financial prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Awards are supported by the UNCG Office of Sustainability and the Environment and Sustainability Program.