About the ACCAC:
Fueling Student Innovation & Research
The ACC Academic Consortium (ACCAC) unites 18 member universities to fund student research, launch startups, and develop academic leaders. We extend the ACC’s tradition of excellence beyond the playing field, creating a connected academic community that awards grants and opportunities to students and faculty alike.
Questions About the Consortium
What is the ACC Academic Consortium (ACCAC)?
The ACCAC is the academic arm of the Atlantic Coast Conference. While the ACC is known for athletics, the Consortium exists to strengthen academic excellence by pooling the resources of 18 premier universities. We provide a platform for collaboration that no single institution could accomplish alone—offering student research funding, innovation competitions, and leadership summits that connect campuses across the country.
Who can apply for ACCAC programs and funding?
Our programs are open to the entire academic community across all 18 member universities.
For Students: We support undergraduate researchers, student entrepreneurs, competitive debate teams, and student government leaders.
For Faculty & Administrators: We offer professional development through the Academic Leaders Network (ALN) and research grants for projects that advance higher education policy and athletics governance.What student competitions and opportunities are available?
ACC InVenture Prize: A shark-tank style competition for student startups.
Meeting of the Minds: A research conference celebrating undergraduate creative inquiry.
ACC Debate Championship: A competitive forum for research-driven civic discourse.
Student Leadership Symposium: A summit for student leaders to explore the future of collaboration.How is the Consortium governed?
The ACCAC is guided by the Provosts (chief academic officers) of our member institutions. Their shared leadership ensures that our strategic initiatives align with the educational missions of our universities, prioritizing programs that elevate student creativity, research impact, and leadership capacity.
Governance: The Academic Leaders Driving Our Mission
Representing each ACC institution, the provosts guide the Consortium’s collaborative work, from academic programs to strategic initiatives. Their shared leadership connects campuses, aligns priorities, and ensures ACCAC initiatives support excellence across the conference.
Representing the academic leadership of every member institution, our Board of Provosts guides the allocation of funding and strategic direction for all consortium programs.
Boston College
University of California, Berkeley
Clemson University
Duke University
Florida State University
Georgia Tech
University of Louisville
University of Miami
University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
University of Notre Dame
University of Pittsburgh
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University
Syracuse University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
News & Updates
Timely updates and announcements from the Consortium.
A Battle of the Best Student Entrepreneurs of the ACC
January 16, 2026
The University of Notre Dame hosts the 2026 ACC InVenture Prize Competition on March 27th, bringing together undergraduate innovators from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a high-energy showcase of creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit. Shifting the competitive tradition of the ACC from the field to the stage, the InVenture Prize features student teams pitching original inventions and business ideas before a live audience and a panel of judges. This signature, conference-wide initiative reflects the ACC’s commitment to advancing undergraduate entrepreneurship, strengthening student-faculty engagement, and fostering camaraderie across member institutions. The competition will be broadcast on PBS affiliate stations and streamed on YouTube, allowing audiences across the conference and beyond to watch the next generation of innovators in action. Teams representing ACC colleges and universities will compete for $30,000 in prizes and the opportunity to be named the next ACC InVenture Prize winner.
Strengthening Academic Leadership Through the ACC Academic Leaders Network
January 12, 2026
The 2026 cohort of the ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) launches virtually on February 6, bringing together faculty leaders from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a year-long leadership development experience focused on strengthening academic leadership at every institution. Designed as a collaborative, conference-wide initiative, the ALN creates shared learning opportunities and connections that no single university could achieve alone. Through a series of in-person sessions hosted at ACC institutions, participants engage in immersive discussions and experiences that explore leadership at the interpersonal, institutional, and higher education levels. Across the program, faculty leaders exchange ideas, learn from diverse perspectives, and build lasting interinstitutional relationships that strengthen the ACC’s academic community. The hosts for the 2026 Academic Leaders Network are: Southern Methodist University – March 23–25 University of Notre Dame – June 29–July 1 University of Pittsburgh – October 5–7
Spotlighting Research and Civic Discourse at the ACC Debate Championship
January 9, 2026
The ACC Debate Championship will be hosted by Southern Methodist University from April 17–19, welcoming undergraduate debaters from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a competition that highlights research, civic engagement, and thoughtful dialogue. The championship provides a national stage for students to demonstrate academic rigor and persuasive communication through informed, real-time exchange. Bringing together participants from ACC institutions, the event showcases the power of evidence-based debate to advance critical thinking and civil discourse. Guided by the ACC Academic Consortium, the Championship celebrates students who excel at translating research into meaningful public advocacy.
Showcasing Undergraduate Research: ACC Meeting of the Minds at Florida State
January 5, 2026
The ACC Meeting of the Minds will take place April 10–12 at Florida State University, bringing together outstanding undergraduate researchers from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a weekend dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and creative inquiry. Each ACC institution selects five exceptional student researchers, along with a university sponsor, to participate in this highly regarded annual conference. Chosen through a competitive refereeing process, student delegates present original, student-directed research conducted under faculty mentorship. Throughout the weekend, participants share their work, connect with peers from other ACC universities, and engage in meaningful academic exchange while building community across the conference. The ACC Meeting of the Minds celebrates the depth and diversity of undergraduate research at ACC institutions and highlights the vital role students play in advancing scholarship.
ACC Leadership Symposium Brings Student Leaders Together at Virginia Tech
January 2, 2026
Virginia Tech is excited to host the ACC Leadership Symposium, February 4–6, welcoming student leaders from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a dynamic three-day experience focused on leadership development and social change. This annual conference brings together delegations from each ACC college and university to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another through engaging workshops and meaningful dialogue. Funded by a portion of the ACC Academic Consortium and hosted on a rotating basis among member institutions, the symposium highlights the ACC’s shared commitment to cultivating student leadership. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their networks, explore strategies for creating positive social impact, and strengthen their leadership skills alongside peers from across the conference.