2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge Volunteer Application

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that provides university students with real-world experience in equity research and analysis. Each year, CFA Society San Francisco hosts the Northern California local competition, bringing together top students from leading universities to present in-depth research on a publicly traded company. The local challenge kicks off in November and concludes with an in-person presentation competition in February at a Bay Area university.

We invite investment professionals to volunteer in one of the following key roles:

• Industry Mentor (November–February): Guide a student team as they research and write their equity report, offering feedback, support, and industry insights.

• Grader (February 6 - 13, 2026 | Virtual): Evaluate written research reports using a standardized scoring rubric.

• Judge (February 21, 2026 | Menlo College): Attend the final in-person competition to assess team presentations, ask questions, and help determine which team advances.

Volunteering is a rewarding way to support the next generation of finance professionals, share your expertise, and stay engaged with the academic community.