CFA Institute Research Challenge: Students
Each year, thousands of university students participate in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. These students interact with investment professionals and top firms while obtaining real-world experience in equity analysis, research report writing, and presentation skills.
Benefits of participating
Networking opportunities
Offers a wide variety of networking opportunities
Learn from professionals
Gives you direct interaction with financial professionals
Resume builder
Enhances your CV/resume
Additionally, the team that wins the final global challenge wins a cash prize for their university.
Eligibility requirements
You are eligible to participate if:
- You are a full time student at a participating university
- You do not hold the CFA charter
- You have never worked in a role within the core investment management profession
- You have never participated in the CFA Institute Research Challenge
- You are eligible under local competition rules
- Note that eligibility does not guarantee your participation in the competition.
How Do I Participate?
It all starts at the local level. Local Hosts made up of approved volunteers and CFA Institute society members organize and judge the local level Research Challenge competitions.
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Find out if your university participates by asking your professor or contacting your nearest CFA Institute member society.
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If your university does participate, contact your faculty advisor and ask for details on how to become a team member.
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If you learn your university has not participated before, ask a professor to become the faculty advisor.
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The faculty advisor should contact the nearest CFA Institute member society for more information.
What Can I Expect?
- The majority of local level participants indicated that they spent:
- 100–150 hours researching their assigned company and assembling their report
- 30 or more hours practicing and assembling their presentation.
- The majority of regional level participants indicated that they spent more than 60 hours preparing for the regional competition.
- At the local level, you may be responsible for covering the cost of travel and accommodation for all meetings and events. Contact your Local Host for more information.
Questions?
