In 2015, UD SMIF team was one of the top five finalists out of more than 40 schools' SMIF teams to compete in the CFA Portfolio Management Competition.  In 2017 and 2020, UD SMIF team was one of the eight finalist teams in the CFA Institute Southwest Investment Research Challenge.  The CFA Institute Research Challenge - Southwest U.S., is managed and supported by the CFA Societies Texas (Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio) as well as, the CFA Society of Louisiana.

The goal of the research challenge is to provide value-added real-world applications for students.  Each school team was assigned the company (i.e. the target company) to analyze and then complete a written report.  All four Texas societies, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio provided mentors for the teams, judges or graders.  Finalist teams competed before an oral panel made up of leaders in the investment community at the Texas Investment Portfolio Symposium (TIPS).