Coming in 2027
The ASERS National Symposium
ASERS is planning its first National Symposium, bringing together top researchers from participating regional ASERS chapters across the United States.
Selected finalists will be invited to present and compete nationally through the same research-informed judging system that guides our regional symposia, with an opportunity to respond to feedback before they defend the improved work.
Regional ASERS → National ASERS
Run a recognized regional symposium. Give your strongest students a path to a national stage. Build a local research community connected to something larger.
How the model works
Regional qualification
Participating ASERS chapters run local symposia under shared national standards. Their strongest researchers can advance to the national event.
Research-backed judging
National finalists present to scientists through ASERS's multiple-evaluation format, with separate oral and poster reviews whenever possible.
A national community
Students from participating regions meet peers, receive serious scientific feedback, and help build the research community beyond their home chapter.
Not a frozen submission
Finalists advance the same underlying research project, but they are encouraged to strengthen analyses, address judge feedback, conduct additional experiments, and correct limitations between Regionals and Nationals. Actual science is iterative: present, get questioned, revise, and test again.
Regional feedback → research improvement → National defense
Cost should not determine who gets to compete
ASERS aims to subsidize travel for National Finalists who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending. Support may include travel grants, hotel rooms, registration, meals, local transportation, and poster printing, depending on the program budget and approved assistance policies.
The first national event is being planned as a focused gathering of serious regional programs. Details such as the final location, number of participating chapters, finalist count, and subsidy amounts will be announced as the program develops.
Help build the national network
Chapter founders make this possible. Beginning in 2027, top researchers from participating regional symposia are planned to advance to the ASERS National Symposium.