UGA Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition – Fall 2026
Three Minute Thesis is a professional and highly engaging international research communication competition. Better known by the acronym 3MT®, the competition requires contestants to explain their thesis or dissertation topic and its significance in three minutes or less using only a single static presentation slide.
The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Competition rules, eligibility, and judging criteria
Fall 2026 Kickoff Workshop
Speak to Impress: Elevate Your Research Presentation Skills (and prepare for 3MT!)
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
5:00 – 7:00pm
Athens Campus
Register by August 24
Want to make your research stand out in any setting? Whether you’re preparing for a 3MT competition, a conference talk, or a class presentation, this workshop will help you transform complex ideas into a clear, engaging story your audience will remember. You’ll learn strategies for structuring your content, connecting with listeners, and delivering with confidence. Finally, you’ll get a chance to workshop presentation ideas and get feedback in a small group environment. Stay afterward for free food and conversation with fellow students who are ready to take their presentation skills to the next level.
This workshop kicks off the UGA 3MT Competition for Fall 2026 offered by the Graduate School and facilitated by Dr. David Peterson. Registering for this workshop does not commit you to participating in the 3MT competition.
Register Here for the Speak to Impress Workshop
Fall 2026 Preliminary Competition:
Registration will open September 1st
Join the fun and register for the chance to win! You will sign up to deliver your presentation to our prelim judges during one of the preliminary sections offered between September 9th through the 23rd. Ten participants will advance to the finals for a chance to win cash prizes.
Fall 2026 Final Competition:
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Morton Theatre
Doors open at 6:30 pm
This event is free and open to the public.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.
About 3MT®
The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of students’ capacities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.
Master’s and doctoral students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation topic and its significance. 3MT® is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but forces students to consolidate their ideas and crystalize their research discoveries.
Eligibility
Currently enrolled master’s and doctoral students at the University of Georgia will be eligible to participate in 3MT®. Past graduates are not eligible. Students must present on the research that will culminate in either their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. Previous winners of the 3MT® competition are not eligible to participate.
Prizes
- Winner: $1,000
- Runner-up: $750
- People’s Choice: $500
Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide 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.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- The decision of the judging panel is final.
Judging Criteria
Comprehension & Content
- Presentation provided clear 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 & 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.
3MT® Presenter Preparation Resources
Interested in learning more about how to make the most of your 3 minutes and wow the audience?
- Join the kickoff workshop! See info above.
- Here’s a guide that that will help you to prepare and deliver an effective 3MT® presentation.
- Study past winners by watching past UGA Graduate School 3MT® competitions and other national and international competitions as well.
3MT® in the News
Anshul Wins 2025 3MT® Grand Prize
UGA 3MT® 2025 Competition Results
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition: November 13, 2025
