Research Challenge

Is YOUR University Up to the Challenge?

Who? CFA Society Nashville and CFA Society East Tennessee host the Greater Tennessee Research Challenge.

What? The annual CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Students work in teams to research and analyze a publicly-traded company, and then write a research report on their assigned company with a buy, sell, or hold recommendation.

Why? The Contest gathers students, investment industry professionals, publicly traded companies, and corporate sponsors together locally, regionally, and globally for a real-world competition. The Contest's goal is to promote best practices in equity research and company analysis. Students research, analyze, and report on a company as if they are practicing analysts. Additionally, all participants are introduced to and held to the standard of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

When? The contest begins in September. Mentors meet with the students several times between September and January. The local champion is determined in February at the local competition and advances to regional competitions held in April.

How? Each CFA city host launches an Investment Research Challenge in conjunction with a participating university. The universities assemble teams of business and finance students who work directly with a company in researching and preparing a company analysis. Mentors with equity analysis experience will be assigned to each team to help the students. Each team submits a research report on a specified company and later does a final presentation in front of a judge's panel consisting of high-profile CFA Society members.

For more details, contact us. 

A Note from A Previous PARTICIPANT

"Around this time last year, I had the incredible opportunity to represent Southern Adventist University & SMARRT Fund in the CFA Institute Research Challenge! After months of rigorous research, financial modeling, and valuation work, our team achieved 2nd place in Tennessee—only the second time Southern competed!

Beyond the competition, the experience was invaluable. It was one of the truer tests of putting what I learned in the classroom into practice. From late-night financial modeling to presentation prep, we continually had to think on our feet; defending our valuation, adjusting forecasts based on new data, and ensuring our story aligned across all financials. The CFA Challenge pushed me to develop sharper critical-thinking skills, refine my ability to communicate complex assumptions, and recognize the reality that finance is never just about the numbers, but the story they tell.

The challenge also opened doors to meaningful networking opportunities, allowing us to connect with industry professionals and CFA charterholders while gaining real-world insights.

As I reflect, I’m incredibly grateful for my team, mentors, and the CFA Society for making this experience so impactful. Best of luck to this year’s SAU team—I’m excited to see how you continue to raise the bar!"

Fabian Lubis

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 Greater Tennessee Research Challenge winning team from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!