Get Involved with the Research Challenge

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.

• 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.

Finance Professional Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to the success of the Research Challenge. Please consider one of these roles:

• Faculty Advisor: Typically employed by the team's university, a faculty advisor provides guidance and direction to the team throughout all levels of competition.
• Report Grader: Selected by the local host, report graders evaluate the team’s written reports.
• Hosts include the CFA Institute Member Society, CFA Institute, or CFA Institute approved third-party responsible for sponsoring either the local level, sub-regional level, regional level, or global level of the Research Challenge.
• Industry Mentor: These industry professionals, preferably CFA charterholders, are assigned to the team by the local host to review the team’s written report and provide critique of their  presentation.
• Presentation Judge: Selected by the competition host, judges evaluate the presentations (ten-minute oral and visual presentations prepared by the team).