Local host tasks and deadlines
Tasks and deadlines
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Season kickoff | 11 August 2026 |
| Local host season registration | 28 August 2026 |
| Timeline, subject company, & universities due | 6 November 2026 Contact the Research Challenge team if your competition can’t meet this deadline |
| Student, faculty advisor, & industry mentor registration complete | Two weeks following Kickoff Meeting |
| Regional judge nomination deadline | 19 February 2027 |
| Grader, judge registration complete | Date of Local Final |
| Local competition complete | 1 March 2027 |
| Competition expense reimbursements due | 31 May 2027 Funding is transmitted following submission of a reimbursement request. |
*If your local competition has a particular issue meeting this deadline, please email [email protected] for an extension.
Host agreement
In the past, societies have been required to sign a Host Agreement to participate in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. This year, the Host Agreement will be part of a larger master agreement executed between CFA Institute and local societies. This new agreement will be distributed electronically to societies in the coming months. For the time being, societies will not sign an agreement.
Non-societies that are approved local Research Challenge hosts may have a separate process and we will be in touch with those competitions directly.
Task descriptions
Season registration due
All societies and other organizations interested in hosting a local level competition must complete the Season Registration Form
Timeline, subject company, and participating universities due
Please submit your competition details here.
Student registration complete
Faculty Advisors, Industry Mentors, Graders, and Judges must complete the online volunteer registration form. Only volunteers that have completed registration at this time with have their applicable PL/SER credits processed by CFA Institute staff. The volunteer registration link will be sent to you when CFA Institute confirms registration is open for your competition.
Volunteer registration complete
Faculty Advisors, Industry Mentors, Graders, and Judges must complete the online volunteer registration form. Only volunteers that have completed registration at this time with have their applicable PL/SER credits processed by CFA Institute staff. The volunteer registration link will be sent to you when CFA Institute confirms registration is open for your competition.
Local winter submission
As the Host Coordinator of the local competition, you are required to submit the winning team(s) details to us within two days of your local final.
Competition expense reimbursements due
Submission link will become available when we are closer to local finals.