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The Council on Undergraduate Research

EIN 41-1398118 · Gaithersburg, MD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CUR WORKS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE HIGH-QUALITY MENTORED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH. CUR OFFERS PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO SHARE SUCCESSFUL MODELS AND STRATEGIES FOR ESTABLISHING AND NURTURING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, WHILE PROVIDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO ENSURE SUCCESS.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
9
Volunteers
1,500
Highest pay
$252,620, ex officio - executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $1.6 million spent. EVENTS - CUR EVENTS BRING TOGETHER FACULTY, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS, POLICYMAKERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF FUNDING AGENCIES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WITH AN INTEREST IN CONDUCTING AND PROMOTING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH. CUR EVENTS ARE OFFERED IN VIRTUAL, HYBRID, AND IN-PERSON FORMATS TO ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. DURING OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR, CUR HELD A NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND SMALLER WORKSHOPS BRINGING TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS. CUR ADDED SMALLER INFORMAL LIVE DISCUSSIONS AND WEBINARS TO OFFER UP-TO-THE MINUTE SHARING.
  2. $559,104 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES - CUR IS A COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 14,000 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND JUST OVER 525 INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE A PASSION FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH. CUR MEMBERSHIP IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST FACULTY, ADMINISTRATORS, RESEARCHERS, STAFF, MENTORS, AND STUDENTS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, SUSTAIN, AND SUPPORT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND. CUR MEMBERS RECEIVE ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE RESOURCES AND CONTENT SUCH AS: AN ONLINE MEMBER COMMUNITY AND JOB BOARD, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, NETWORKING AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES, MEMBER RESOURCE LIBRARY, ASSESSMENT AND ADVOCACY TOOLKITS, CUR'S QUARTERLY SCHOLARLY JOURNAL - SCHOLARSHIP AND PRACTICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (SPUR), NEWSLETTERS AND MORE.
  3. $98,870 spent. PUBLICATIONS - CUR OFFERS A VARIETY OF PUBLICATIONS THAT FOCUS ON TOPICS RELATED TO UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, INCLUDING A QUARTERLY, PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL; BOOKS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS, SUCH AS NEWSLETTERS AND POSITION STATEMENTS. CUR ALSO OFFERS A RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING PROGRAM REVIEW, CONSULTING AND MENTORING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS, ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS/COLLEGES, AND ENTIRE CAMPUSES. CUR PROVIDES THESE SERVICES BY CALLING UPON ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS WHO SHARE ITS VISION AND GOALS; ARE EXPERTS IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH THEORY, PRACTICE, AND ASSESSMENT; HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET AND POLICY ISSUES; AND ARE LEADERS IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION.
  4. $28,590 spent. AWARDS - TO RECOGNIZE ORIGINAL AND INSIGHTFUL RESEARCH WORK CONDUCTED BY A YOUNG INVESTIGATOR WORKING WITH UNDERGRADUATES THAT HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON CHEMISTRY AND THE STEM CAREERS OF THE STUDENTS INVOLVED.
  5. $63,831 spent. SERVICES - CUR PROVIDES CONSULTING AS A FORM OF EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.