Research Challenge

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition which tests the analytic, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills of university students. The challenge comprises analysis of a publicly-traded company, mentoring by a professional research analyst, writing a research report, and presentation of research to a panel of experts.  The first Research Challenge competition was hosted by the New York Society of Security Analysts in 2002 and involved just five teams from the New York area. Since then, the competition has grown to involve thousands of students from over 1,000 universities in more than 75 countries.

Listen to 2018 Kickoff Call

View the 2018 Kickoff Presentation

Congratulations to our 2018 winner Univeristy of South Carolina

Watch Three Finalist Presentations

2017 Kickoff Presentation

2016 Research Challenge Kickoff Presentation 

2016 Research Challenge Kickoff Conference Call

Volunteers

The challenge is a volunteer-intensive effort and requires the participation of many industry leading portfolio managers and analysts.  Opportunities for volunteering include grading the written research reports, mentoring a team, or judging the oral presentations.  CFA continuing education credit may be available for volunteering.  If you are interested in helping in any of these capacities, please email us at cfa.irc.southernclassic@gmail.com.

 Students and Faculty

If you are a student or faculty member from a college or university in Georgia, South Carolina, or Alabama and are interested in joining this year’s CFA Institute Research Challenge Southern Classic, please send an email to cfa.irc.southernclassic@gmail.com.

 Past Champions