Engage Students in a Global Equity Research Competition
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a rigorous, real-world competition where university teams analyze a publicly traded company, write an in-depth equity research report, and present their findings to a panel of investment professionals. As a faculty advisor, you’ll help guide students through the process—building their technical skills, ethical grounding, and industry readiness.
The Northern California local challenge kicks off in November and concludes in February with in-person presentations by the participating teams. As a Faculty Advisor, you’ll lead your university’s team selection process and serve as the primary contact with the local CFA Society. You’ll provide up to 10 hours of advisory support prior to the written report submission and help prepare students for each presentation round. While you’ll guide research methods and project timelines, the work and analysis must be completed solely by the students. Faculty Advisors also coordinate with an assigned industry mentor who provides real-world perspective and supports the team throughout the challenge.
Why Get Involved
- Enhance student career readiness – Provide hands-on experience in equity research, analysis, and presentation.
- Build meaningful industry connections – Partner with investment professionals serving as mentors and judges.
- Raise your university's profile – Compete locally and potentially advance to the sub-regional, regional, or global stage.
- Support the next generation of finance talent – Help students bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.
2025 Participating Universities
How to Get Involved
To learn more about participating in this year's Northern California CFA Institute Research Challenge, email [email protected].
