Four students will represent UNLV in the 2027 CFA Institute Research Challenge.
If you want to break into investing, this is one of the clearest ways to do it. A global stock-pitch competition, coached like an apprenticeship by two UNLV alumni who make real investment decisions for a living.
Get on the Research Challenge list
We will send you the info-session links and reminders so you do not miss the two dates in September. Two minutes now.
You are on the list.
Your spot is saved. Everything you need is right here on this page, so save the two dates now.
- Tuesday, Sept 2 at 6:00 PM on Zoom
- Thursday, Sept 4 at 3:00 PM on Zoom
- Both Zoom links, IDs, and passcodes are just below.
Show up to one session, then a 15-minute interview decides the four-person team. We will also email you a reminder as each session gets closer.
See the session linksNot just another competition. An apprenticeship.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global stock-pitch competition. You pick a public company, dig into it, and do the real work of a professional investor: equity research, financial modeling, valuation, and a live investment pitch in front of people who do this for a living.
This year UNLV rebuilt the program into a structured development experience. Four students represent the university. The ones selected get dedicated coaching, mentorship, and a clear framework for the skills professional investors actually use.
Two UNLV alumni behind $3.5B+ of real decisions.
CN- ›11 years as a buy-side equity analyst
- ›His recommendations led to more than $2 billion of public-market investments
- ›UNLV Business School graduate and former RIG student
RP- ›Runs an actively managed portfolio with more than $1.5 billion in assets
- ›Head of Portfolio Management, the seat that owns the calls
- ›UNLV Business School graduate and former RIG student
"It is an apprenticeship under Chris Nealand and Rayna Penelova that has the potential to transform a student's career trajectory."
Dr. Daniel Chi, UNLV Department of FinanceThe exact skills that get you hired in finance.
Financial modeling and valuation
Build the model that turns a company into a number, then defend the number.
Investment research and scenario analysis
Learn what actually moves a business and how to stress-test your own thesis.
Writing equity research reports
Put a real thesis on paper the way analysts do on the desk.
Delivering professional stock pitches
Stand up and pitch the idea to professionals, the skill that separates candidates.
The two info sessions.
Get on the list above and we will send these links straight to your inbox before each date.
Four seats. Here is how they get filled.
Attend an info session
Go to either Zoom session. Ask about how much time it takes and what past participants got out of it.
A 15-minute interview
Selection starts right after the sessions. You have a 15-minute conversation with Chris and Rayna.
Four students are chosen
Based on those conversations, four students are selected to represent UNLV in the competition.
Walk into the interview already prepared.
Stock analysis foundations
Financial modeling
Macro and geopolitical (weekly podcasts)
Four seats. Two minutes to raise your hand.
Get on the list and we’ll send you both info-session links and a reminder before each one. The sessions are September 2 and September 4.
Get on the list