Student Research Competition 2026
The competition is open to members of any ARMA student chapter (active or under creation), with a maximum of 5 abstracts per chapter. Topics span Civil, Mining, Oil & Gas, Geothermal, Energy Transition, and Related Disciplines.
Dear ARMA Student Members,
We are excited to announce that abstract submissions are now accepted for the ARMA Student Research Competition (ARMA-SRC) 2026, which will be held virtually between May 5 – June 8, 2026.
If you are conducting research in geomechanics or related fields, we encourage you to submit your work for the chance to present it at a professional-level event and compete for cash prizes. The winners will also be recognized during the ARMA Tucson Symposium.
Every ARMA Student Chapter may submit up to five graduate student abstracts, which will be considered in the order they are received. Please carefully review the instructions for submitting abstracts and the abstract formatting requirements.
We kindly ask ARMA student leaders to share this announcement with their chapter members and encourage eligible students to participate.
If you have questions, please reach out to us by email at armastudentcouncil@gmail.com.
We look forward to receiving your abstract submissions!
Best regards,
ARMA Student Council
Every ARMA Student Chapter may submit up to five graduate student abstracts.
Abstract submissions will be considered in the order they are received.
The deadline to submit an abstract to ARMA-SRC 2026 is 05 May 2026.
Before submitting an abstract, please read carefully the posted instructions and formatting requirements. Abstracts must be between 250-500 words and should be formatted as the provided template.
Scan the QR code in the promotional flyer, or click on the link posted on this page, to submit your abstract via the provided google form.
1. The contest will be virtual (on a platform such as Zoom or Teams).
2. The expected days for virtual presentations will be May 5 – June 8 (to be confirmed).
3. If selected, the student must prepare and present research work on an appropriate topic with a 15-minute presentation. Presentations longer than 15 min or shorter than 10 min will get point deductions.
4. Students must be present at the virtual meeting during their scheduled time slots to answer questions about their presentations.
Winners will be awarded at the 60th U.S. Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium in Tucson, Arizona, in June 2026.
Winners will receive cash prizes and will be acknowledged in ARMA Monthly News and on ARMA’s website.
NOTE: Participants residing in countries with financial transfer restrictions from the USA may be unable to receive the cash prize.
With questions about ARMA-SRC 2026, please email the ARMA Student Council.
For additional information, you may also contact the event coordinators.
Omar Bakelli
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Utah
omar.bakelli@utah.edu
Loic Bethel Dje
Ph.D. Candidate
Oklahoma State University
lobethe@okstate.edu
Athar Hussain
Ph.D. Candidate
Texas Tech University
athar.hussain@ttu.edu
Vineeth Reddy Karnati
Ph.D. Candidate
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
vrkarnati@etu.uqac.ca
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