Midwest Graduate Research Symposium Proposal Guide
Considering submitting a proposal to present at the 2027 Midwest Graduate Research Symposium?
Here is a quick guide with additional information about the presentation proposal process and tips to help you!
When is the 2027 Midwest Graduate Research Symposium?
The 2027 Midwest Graduate Research Symposium (MGRS) will be held on:
Saturday, April 10, 2027
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Memorial Field House
The University of Toledo Main Campus
Proposal Submission Form & Deadlines
Use our quick and easy Microsoft form to submit your Midwest Graduate Research Symposium proposal:
Priority Deadline
11:59 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2027
Final Deadline
11:59 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2027
Proposals will be reviewed in two rounds.
Submissions by the priority deadline will be reviewed in the first round and submissions by the final deadline will be reviewed in the second round.Ìý
Proposals submitted by the priority deadline provide you with the best chance for acceptance!
Who is Eligible to Present?
All currently enrolled graduate & professional students in a Midwest college or university are welcome to submit a proposal to present their work!
They can be at any point of their graduate/professional studies.
What Can Students Present?
Students can present:
- Thesis research
- Dissertation research
- Scholarly project research
- Field experiences
- Got research that doesn't fit in the above categories? Still submit a proposal!
Presentation Types
Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýSeminar
Seminar sessions are 10 minutes long (this is for presentation time only; additional time will be allotted for questions). Presenters may have an optional slide deck.
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Poster sessions will occur in 45 minute time slots. For judges, presenters should explain their content in a maximum of 5 minutes. Posters should be a maximum of 48 by 36 inches to fit on poster stands.
Ìý Ìý ÌýLightning Talks
New! Lightning talks are 5 minutes long (this is for presentation time only; additional time will be allotted for questions). Presenters may have an optional slide deck with a maximum of 3 slides.
How to Submit a Proposal
Here's our complete step-by-step guide. You can use the left checklist for a guide-at-a-glance and to navigate through this guide.
Personal & Academic Information
The easiest part! We use this information to contact you with additional information and to determine where to place selected presentations. (We will primarily use your university email to reach you).Ìý
Proposal Information
This is where you will input your proposal items. Please note that you are welcome to submit multiple proposals and you must submit a different proposal for each presentation type (multiple proposals within one form will not be considered).Ìý
PRESENTATION TYPE
Please review the schedule at a glance and presentation descriptions as you select a presentation type to ensure the type you select best suits your content.Ìý
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTATION
Provide us with a brief, 150-300-word description of your presentation (please do not submit your abstract). The MGRS is a multidisciplinary event and your proposal will be reviewed by a committee of members outside of your field. Be sure to use language that can be understood by audiences of all disciplines.Ìý
Here is a rubric inclusive of all presentation types with what we are looking for:
ADDITIONAL AUTHORS & PRESENTER(S)
If your work has additional authors tied to it, please include their names even if they are not presenting. If you have an additional presenter that will present with you, please include their information as well. Please note that each presentation can have a maximum of two presenters.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SUBMISSION
Please read the acknowledgement very carefully prior to submitting. You'll have space to include any questions you may have for the organizers as well. Once you are ready, input your name as your signature and agreement to the terms listed in the acknowledgment to submit!Ìý
Proposal Checklist
- Personal & Academic Information
- Presentation Type
- Presentation Title
- Abstract or Description
- Presenter Biography
- Additional Author(s) and Presenter(s)
- Acknowledgement & Submission
Our Advice
This symposium is multidisciplinary, so presentations that can be understood by audience members outside of the presenter's field score the highest in judging!Ìý
What to Expect
Prospective presenters will submit their presentation proposals until the final deadline. We have a priority deadline as well as a final deadline to provide flexibility for our 51±¬ÁÏÍø students and neighbors. Submitting presentation proposals by the priority deadline increases the submitter's chances of being selected as well as receiving their preferred time slots.
Our symposium coordinators are here to answer questions along the way! Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What audiovisual equipment will be provided?
Poster presenters: You will be provided with a presentation poster stand/easel. You will share this with another presenter.
Seminar & lightning talk presenters: You will be provided with a seminar size classroom including a computer, clicker, and projector screen for a slide deck. You will not have a microphone.
If I am a presenter, do I have to register as an attendee?
Nope! Students selected to present their work will be provided with a separate presenter registration process.Ìý
Are there awards?
Yes!ÌýEach category of presentations will be evaluated by a series of faculty, staff, and community member judges. The highest scored presentations from each category will be provided awards.
Do I have to incorporate the theme into my presentation?
No, but you are encouraged to tie it in if you are able!ÌýPresentations will not be evaluated for their connection to the theme of the symposium.
Contact Us
Ìý
Eshwari Sanjay Ghavare
Lead Symposium Coordinator
Email: GSA@utoledo.edu
Ìý
Yasmeen Hamdah, M.Ed.
Program Manager,
Graduate Student Success
Phone: 419.530.2633
Email: Yasmeen.Hamdah@utoledo.edu
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