2026 Research Challenge Virtual Company Presentation

Join us for the kickoff for this year's Research Challenge with a presentation from Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT). Director, Investor Relations & Treasury, Ryan Cieslak will join us for the virtual company presentation.

Ryan Cieslak
Director, Investor Relations & Treasury
Applied Industrial Technologies

This event is only for students, professors and team mentors who are planning on participating with this year's Research Challenge

REGISTER HERE

Important Dates

November 14th 3pm - virtual meeting with Applied Industrial Technologies

November 28th- 2 weeks after virtual meeting teams will be due to CFAI, link to register coming soon

Sunday February 8th - papers will be due

Friday February 20th - In person competition, Marriott East, Warrensville Heights, Ohio

Check out this Research Challenge video and share with your students

What It Is

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Each student will be tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. They gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst. 

How It Works

Local level competitions are organized and judged by CFA Institute society members and volunteers who function as local hosts.

The winning university team from each local competition advances to the sub-regional competition.

The sub-regional, regional, and global competitions are hosted by CFA Institute in the Americas; the Asia Pacific; and the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. The winning teams from each sub-regional competition advance to the regional competition. Regional winners advance to the Global Final, where one team emerges as the global champion.

View the sub-region breakdown (PDF)

Get the fact card (PDF)

View the Official Rules (PDF)

Competition Schedule

University teams begin their activities in the fall, with local competitions occurring throughout the world at various times early in the calendar year. Sub-regional, regional competitions and the global final are held in March, April, and May.

Sub-Regionals

The Sub-Regional round will take place during the month of March. After all local competitions have completed, local winners will receive specific instructions for recording their sub-regional presentations. Teams advancing from the sub-regionals to the regional semifinals will be announced at the end of March.

Regional Semifinals

31 March- 1 April 2026

Regional Finals

2-3 April 2026

Global Final

May 2026

Learn More Here

Episode 35 Brendan Anderson, Founder & Managing Partner of ScaleCo Capital-Listen Here
Episode 34 Greg Halter, CFA, Director of Research at Carnegie Investment Counsel-Listen Here
Episode 33 David MacGregor, CFA on the History of the Investment Industry in Cleveland (Part 3)-Listen Here
Episode 32 Scott Roulston on the History of the Investment Industry in Cleveland (Part 2)-Listen Here
Episode 31 Nancy Benacci, CFA on the History of the Investment Industry in Cleveland (Part 1)- Listen Here

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