3MT & Research 180 Competition

3MT® & Research 180 Competition

How to enter

Submissions for the 3MT® & Research 180 competition will open on Aug. 3, 2026, at 8 a.m. and close on Oct. 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

To be considered for the final round of the competition, submit a three-minute video of your proposed speech to us by Oct. 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

Your video presentation should be no longer than three minutes, but you can take extra time at the beginning to introduce yourself. You can record your video on any platform and then submit it by sending us a link to your video through this form.

Video submission requirements

All first-round submissions must be submitted in video format and comply with the following requirements:

• Presentations are limited to three minutes. 
• Presentations must be spoken word only.
• Timing begins when the presenters starts speaking.
• Video must:
  
  • Be submitted in MP4 format.
  • Be filmed horizontal (landscape) orientation.
  • Be recorded against a plain background.
  • Be filmed from a static position.
  • Use a single camera angle.
  • Include a single static presentation slide.
• Slide requirements:
  • Slide transitions, animations and movement are not permitted.
  • The slide may be displayed continuously or shown intermittently ("cut to") throughout the presentation for a combined maximum of one minute.
• Recording requirements:
  • The three-minute audio presentation must be continuous with no edits, sound breaks or interruptions.
  • No additional electronic media (including sound files or video files) may be incorporated into the recording.

3MT® eligibility

Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT® competitions at all levels. Graduates are not eligible. 

Research 180 eligibility 

All non-PhD and non-Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates.

Rules:

• Presentations are limited to three minutes and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or movement) and is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

3MT® and Research 180 judging criteria 

Comprehension and content 

• Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question.
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.

Engagement and communication 

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

People's Choice  

An important aspect of the competition is the People’s Choice prize. Following all presentations, the audience is asked to vote on who they thought gave the most convincing 3MT® & Research 180 presentation (based on their understanding of the criteria above).  

A finalist can be the winner or runner-up and still receive the People’s Choice award. 

Prizes

• Winner: $1,000
• Runner-up: $500
• People’s Choice: $250

Advancement opportunity

The top ranked PhD will advance to the regional 3MT® competition in Arlington, Virginia, on Feb. 16-19, 2027, with travel expenses covered by the Division of Research and Innovation. If selected as the regional Conference of Southern Graduate Schools winner, they will advance to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) competition at a location to be announced. The CGS winner will then have the opportunity to compete in the international 3MT® finals hosted by The University of Queensland in Queensland, Australia.

Questions? 

Email Graduate.Studies@unthealth.edu

Competition Flyer