About

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is sponsored by CFA Institute and locally hosted by the CFA Society New York (CFANY). The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an educational initiative in which leading industry professionals teach business and finance students how to research and report on a publicly-traded company. CFANY originated the competition fifteen years ago (as the “Investment Research Challenge”) as a means to promote best practices in research among the next generation of analysts.

The Research Challenge spans one academic year, and consists of the following components:

  • Training in Research and Report Writing: Students receive training by attending CFANY-sponsored seminars on Tools for Analysts, Presentation Skills, Report Writing, and Ethics. Seminar instructors are selected by CFANY.
  • Analysis of a Public Company: Teams research the same public company, selected by CFANY, which includes a question-and-answer session with company management.
  • Mentoring by a Financial Market Professional: Hands on mentor who advises and critiques the team’s report.
  • Assessment of Written Reports: A group of volunteer graders selected from CFANY’s membership assess the written research reports.
  • First-Round Presentation to High-Profile Wall Street Experts: All teams present their research to Wall Street experts. The experts choose the final five teams with the strongest research to present their final reports.
  • Final Five Presentation to High-Profile Wall Street Experts: The final five present their research to a panel of respected Wall Street experts. The winning team is selected based on the combined scores for the written report and the presentation.

Sponsors

Past University Participants

Baruch College, CUNY
Binghamton University
College of Staten Island, CUNY
Columbia University
Fairfield College
Fordham University
Hofstra University
Iona College
Ithaca College
Long Island University
Manhattan College
Marist College
Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Molloy College
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York University
Nyack College
Pace University
Quinnipiac University
Ramapo College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
Saint Peter’s University
Seton Hall University
St. John’s University
Stevens Institute
Stony Brook University
The College of New Jersey
University at Albany, SUNY
Wagner College

Past Event Gallery
2019 Company Presentations

Company Presentation


Heloise Ham Scholarship Fund Application

CFA Society New York is pleased to announce that students who participate in the CFA Research Challenge in the Greater New York region, may apply to receive scholarship funds from the Heloise Ham fund via the Graham Center. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded. To apply, and for more information about the fund and how to qualify, click the button below.

Scholarship Application
2019 Winners
Scholarship Brochure

Schedule of Events 2020

Fri. October 18CFA Institute Research Competition locally hosted by CFA Society New York: Kicks-Off

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fri. November 1Subject Company Presentation at CFA Society New York
2020
Thurs. January 23Deadline of 12:00 p.m. to submit Final Research Report as a PDF to Vanessa Ceballos & Mario Carias
Fri. January 31Toastmasters: “How to Make a Killer Presentation” 
at CFA Society New York
Fri. February 14First-Round Presentations at CFA Society New York, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Team’s time slot TBA approximately 10 days prior
Fri, March 6CFANY Final Five Competition
Monday/Tuesday, April 20-21Americas Regional Competition in New York, NY
Wednesday, April 22Global Final Competition in New York, NY

Volunteer Opportunities

CFA Society New York has 30 teams participating in this year’s CFA Institute Research Challenge. We are looking for industry mentors, graders, and judges to work with these teams! This is an excellent opportunity to provide guidance, direction, suggestions, and feedback to student teams participating in the challenge – and a great way to gain mentorship experience!

Go to Volunteer Form

Industry Mentor

The Industry Mentor plays a crucial role in the CFA Institute Research Challenge by serving as an industry expert to one of the competing teams, providing a “real-world” industry perspective.  An integral part of the competition process, this is a good volunteering option for those that would like to have more interaction with students.

Please find below competition details as well as information on the role and responsibilities.

Download Info For Mentors

Judges

The CFA Institute Research Challenge could not function without the invaluable time and important function of the volunteer judges. The Judges preside over the first-round presentations of the competition hosted at CFA Society New York, carefully critiquing and ultimately judging the student presentations. During the first-round, teams give 10-minute presentations followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.

Please find below competition details as well as information on the role and responsibilities.

Download Info For Judges

Graders

A key component of the CFA Research Challenge, Graders review and evaluate the equity reach reports of the team competitors.  While the grading can be time consuming, it can be done at your convenience remotely over a two week period.  A great volunteer opportunity for those that would like to get involved but are not available during business hours.

Please find below competition details as well as information on the role and responsibilities.

Download Info For Graders

 

If you are interested in being a mentor, grader, or judge for the Research Challenge, use the “Go to Volunteer Form” button above, and/or please contact both:

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