Welcome to the MANRRS Program & Contest Submission Portal!
MANRRS offers a variety of opportunities for members to learn, compete, and showcase their skills through signature programs, research presentations, and contests. From immersive experiences like the Animal Health and Care Academy, to the Leadership Academy Research Symposium and competitions at the Annual Training Conference & Career Expo, our programs are designed to expand career pathways, highlight member talent, and connect participants with industry leaders.
Through hands-on learning, skill-building, and professional networking, MANRRS empowers members to explore new opportunities, share their expertise, and advance in their academic and professional journeys.
Select the specific project you would like to apply to. For complete guidelines and program information please click the respective link.
MANRRS41 Annual Training Conference and Career Expo - Important Update
Guidelines for the MANRRS41 Annual Training Conference and Career Expo are now available. Please visit the below links to learn more about the collegiate MANRRS contests, Junior MANRRS contests, collegiate research poster symposium, and the innovation lab. Registration for all events will open at 3:00 PM (Eastern) on October 19, 2026. Registration for all events will close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on December 31, 2026.
Collegiate Research Poster Symposium
The MANRRS Research Poster Symposium provides an opportunity for students to showcase their academic achievements, research, leadership projects, and innovative ideas in a professional conference setting. Participants gain valuable experience communicating their work, receive constructive feedback from peers and professionals, and strengthen skills that support academic and career success. The symposium also offers a platform to build confidence, expand professional networks, and highlight contributions to agriculture, STEM, and related fields.
The symposium is “non-competitive” and participants will not receive an award based on their participation. There are two divisions for student participation:
- Division I: Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences
- Division II: Education, Social Sciences and Business
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate student collegiate MANRRS members.
MANRRS Innovation Lab
The MANRRS Innovation Lab provides an opportunity for graduate students, professional, and alumni members to showcase their scholarly achievements, research, leadership projects, and innovative ideas in a professional conference setting. Participants gain valuable experience communicating their work, receive constructive feedback from peers and professionals, and strengthening skills that support professional career success. The Innovation Lab also offers a platform to build confidence, expand professional networks, and highlight contributions to agriculture, STEM, and related fields.
The Innovation Lab is a noncompetitive event, and participants will not receive awards based on their participation. Members may showcase their work through one of three presentation formats: an oral presentation, poster presentation, or display table. Oral presentations must use Microsoft PowerPoint and include a 12-minute presentation followed by a 3-minute Q&A session. Each display table participant will be provided one table.
Eligibility: Career professional and graduate student collegiate MANRRS members.
Photography Contest
The Photography Contest provides MANRRS members with the opportunity to express their love for agriculture and related sciences in an artistic form.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate collegiate MANRRS members; Junior MANRRS members
Junior MANRRS Chapter of the Year Award Contest
The Junior MANRRS Chapter of the Year Award (COYA) is a contest to recognize a chapter for achieving more than excellence throughout the year. Any chapter meeting the eligibility requirements can compete for COYA. Chapters will be recognized for exceptional participation and engagement in advancing the MANRRS mission. Winners will be announced and recognized at the annual training conference and career expo.
Eligibility: The National Office of MANRRS will verify that chapters have met the following eligibility standards before advancing the submission to review. Failure to meet a single item will make a chapter not eligible to participate in COYA.
- Chapter in Good Standing requirements must be met by December 31
- Chapter of Excellence requirements must be met by December 31
- Chapter Documentation Form must be submitted by December 31
Interview Contest
The Interview Contest provides Junior MANRRS members with an opportunity to develop and strengthen the communication, professionalism, and self-advocacy skills needed to pursue postsecondary education in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Through the application and interview process, participants receive valuable feedback on their written communication, academic preparation, and interview skills while exploring pathways to future educational opportunities.
Eligibility: Junior MANRRS members
Junior MANRRS Prepared Speech
The Prepared Speech Contest, formerly known as the Public Speaking Contest, allows Junior MANRRS members to gain experience in expressing themselves orally before an audience. This contest has two rounds. Selection of the top 6 submissions will compete at the annual training conference and career expo in front of a panel of judges and answer questions.
Eligibility: Junior MANRRS members.
Junior MANRRS Community Action Pitch
Do you have an innovative idea that could make a positive difference in your community? The Community Action Pitch Contest challenges participants to develop and present original ideas that address a community need through agriculture, natural resources, environmental stewardship, food systems, community development, or related sciences. Contestants will have the opportunity to share their vision for creating meaningful change and demonstrate how their idea could improve the lives of individuals, organizations, or communities.
Unlike traditional business competitions, this contest focuses on community impact rather than commercial success. Ideas may involve programs, initiatives, services, educational campaigns, partnerships, nonprofit efforts, or other innovative solutions designed to address a local, regional, or national challenge. Think of it as a blend of innovation, leadership, and civic engagement, where the goal is to move an idea from concept to action.
Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to four (4) people consisting of all Junior MANRRS members.
Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award Contest
The Chapter of the Year Award (COYA) is a contest to recognize a chapter for achieving more than excellence throughout the entirety of the year. Any chapter meeting the eligibility requirements can compete for COYA. Chapters will be recognized for exceptional participation and engagement in advancing the MANRRS mission. Winners will be announced and recognized at the annual training conference and career expo.
Eligibility: The National Office of MANRRS will verify that chapters have met the following eligibility standards before advancing the submission to review. Failure to meet a single item will make a chapter not eligible to participate in COYA.
- Chapter in Good Standing requirements must be met by December 31
- Chapter of Excellence requirements must be met by December 31
- Chapter Documentation Form must be submitted by December 31
Business Pitch Contest
Have an idea for a new business or non-profit you would like to start? Then enter the Business Pitch Contest! You will have 5 minutes to describe your idea and why it will change your university or local community. Your business can exist later, but the idea & pitch must relate to agriculture, natural resources, and/or environmental businesses or nonprofits. Think “Shark Tank” meets MANRRS! Instead of asking for investment, our judges will award the top presenter with prize money.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate student collegiate MANRRS members. Applications may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to four (4) people consisting of all undergraduate or graduate students. Teams consisting of both undergraduate and graduate students are not permitted.
MANRRS Bowl Contest
The MANRRS Bowl Contest is designed to increase and test the knowledge of collegiate MANRRS members on MANRRS history and topics related to agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. The contest also increases and further encourages regional pride and support of chapters within regions.
Eligibility:
- Any collegiate chapter in good standing may submit one team to participate in the contest.
- A team may consist of any number of members who meet all contest eligibility requirements. However, no more than four (4) team members may actively compete during any round of competition.
- Teams may compete with fewer than four participants, provided at least three (3) eligible contestants are actively participating.
- Teams are permitted to have one (1) graduate student serve as an active participant.
Oral Research Presentation
The Oral Research Presentation Contest allows undergraduate and graduate students to gain exposure and experience presenting their research before an audience. Graduate and undergraduate students will be judged in separate contests. The top ten contestants will be invited to present at the annual training conference and career expo. Students will select the division to which they are submitting their research abstracts for competition:
- Division I: Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences
- Division II: Education, Social Sciences and Business
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate collegiate MANRRS members.
Written Essay Contest
The Written Essay Contest allows undergraduate students to gain experience in expressing themselves through writing. Essays will be judged by a panel of 3-5 judges, and the winners will be selected before the annual training conference and career expo.
Eligibility: Undergraduate collegiate MANRRS members.
Prepared Speech Contest
The Prepared Speech Contest, formerly known as the Public Speaking Contest, allows undergraduate students to gain experience in expressing themselves orally before an audience. This contest has two rounds. Selection of the top 6 submissions will compete at the annual training conference and career expo in front of a panel of 3-4 judges and answer questions.
Eligibility: Undergraduate collegiate MANRRS members.
Three-Minute Thesis (3MT ®) Contest
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) Contest was developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) to celebrate the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students. The contest was developed to cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The MANRRS 3MT has been adapted to provide this opportunity to all graduate student members in good standing within the national organization. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Eligibility: Graduate student collegiate MANRRS members.