Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Student presenting at the Three Minute Thesis competition

Grow your communication skills and share your research.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition gives graduate students a unique opportunity to strengthen their communication skills, connect with researchers and academics, compete for cash prizes, and share their research with a broader audience. The Three Minute Thesis is generously supported by graduate students through the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund.

Jump to: What is 3MT®? | Eligibility and rules | Registration information | Presentation requirements | Judging criteria | Key dates | Resources

What is Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)?

Founded in 2008 at the University of Queensland, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition that challenges graduate students to explain their research and its significance to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.

Using a single static slide, participants must present their research in a clear, compelling and accessible way to both the audience and a panel of judges. The University of Waterloo winner advances to the provincial 3MT® competition.

Student presenting at 3MT finals

3MT® eligibility requirements

To be eligible to participate in 3MT®, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • You must be a University of Waterloo graduate student registered in a research-based program (master’s MRP, master’s thesis or PhD). Students can compete at any stage in their program, and the competition is open to both full-time and part-time students.
    • You are still eligible to participate if you have completed your degree requirements but your degree has not yet been conferred.
  • If you are selected as a finalist, you must allow your presentation recording to be made public (e..g, posted on YouTube) and provide a photo and short biography, which will also be made public.
  • By participating, you confirm that the presentation is your original work and that the research you present is your own.
  • To be eligible to win a prize, you must attend the Graduate Student Research Symposium and present in person.
  • If you were a previous 3MT® finalist who did not win first prize, you may compete again if your new presentation is materially different from your previous entry, as determined by GSPA. If you’re unsure, contact gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca for guidance.
  • To compete, you must either attend the first 3MT® coaching session on January 25, 2027, or meet with the Writing and Communication Centre to discuss your presentation by January 25, 2027. Attendance at the second 3MT® coaching session is optional but strongly recommended.
  • To compete as a finalist at the Graduate Student Research Symposium, you must first be selected to advance from one of the designated 3MT® heats.
  • You must not also participate in GRADflix during the 2026–27 competition season.

Registration information

Please confirm you are eligible and available to compete before registering. 

  • Registration opens: October 26, 2026
  • Registration closes: January 25, 2027

To register to compete, submit your registration in Ticketfi. 

Presentation requirements

Speaking rules

  • All presentations are limited to three (3) minutes maximum. You will be disqualified if you go over.
    • Exceptions may be made for accessibility accommodations.  
  • Presentations must be delivered in English. 
  • Presentations should be spoken word and regular prose. Poems, slam poetry, raps, songs, or performances are not permitted. Minor elements of the above may be incorporated if they are the topic of research.  
  • No props are permitted. The presentation should be based on your own research or research-creation work and should be understandable to a general audience. 
  • You must use language appropriate for a non-specialist audience, avoiding disciplinary jargon or unexplained acronyms.  
  • Physical interactions with the audience are not permitted.  
  • Speaker notes on stage are not allowed; however, exceptions may be made for accessibility accommodations. Please state if you may require accommodations when completing the registration form. 
  • The presentation commences when you begin speaking or moving.  
  • You must ensure that the information shared is suitable for public dissemination and does not breach confidentiality, contractual, or cultural protocols. 
    • If your research includes confidential or culturally sensitive materials, please contact us at gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca so we can discuss your topic with you and your supervisor. 

Slide rules

  • A single, static slide is permitted for each presenter.  
  • Display the slide from the beginning of the presentation and keep it visible until the end.  
  • The slide must not include transitions, animations, embedded videos, or audio.  
  • The slide design and content are at the competitor's discretion, provided all images and content used conform to Canadian copyright laws.  
  • Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs will provide an introductory slide consisting of your name, graduate degree and program, supervisor, and 3MT® title.  
  • No additional electronic media is permitted during the presentation, including but not limited to sound and audio files emitted from the stage or audience. 
  • AI-assisted slides (e.g., light assistance with slide design, editing, brainstorming, and other minor components) are permitted. AI-generated slides (i.e., a slide created by AI with minimal human involvement) are not permitted. Participants must declare whether and how they used AI when completing the participant information form. 

Judging criteria

Each competitor will be assessed on the three judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience. 

Comprehension

  • Did the presentation help you to understand the methodology behind the scholarly research being undertaken?  
  • Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of their research?  
  • Did the presenter clearly indicate the fascinating or compelling aspects of their research?  
  • Did the presenter provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed?  
  • Did the presenter clearly describe the impact and/or results (or the hoped for impact and outcomes) of the research, including any conclusions and outcomes, or potential further steps to be taken? 

Engagement

  • Was the presentation engaging? Did the presenter use creative language and storytelling to capture and maintain the audience's attention?  
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?  
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?  
  • Did the PowerPoint slide create intrigue without dividing your attention – was it clear, legible, and concise?  
  • Did the presentation inspire you to want to know more? 

Communication

  • Did the presenter use non-verbal communication (i.e., voice modulation, body language) effectively?  
  • Did the presenter use language that was jargon-free, or, if jargon was used, was it accompanied by an explanation to make terms understandable to a non-expert audience?  
  • Did the presentation follow a logical sequence? 
  • Did the presenter use their three minutes effectively? Did they elaborate too long on a particular aspect? Did the presentation feel rushed or incomplete? 

Key dates

  • Information session: November 18, 2026 (event registration required) 
  • Registration deadline: January 25, 2027
  • Coaching session 1 (mandatory): January 25, 2027
    • Participants must attend this coaching session or participate in a one-on-one appointment
  • Coaching session 2 (optional): February 9, 2027
  • Heat days: March 15-18, 2027
  • Graduate Student Research Symposium: April 8, 2027 

Students who wish to compete in 3MT® must attend coaching session 1 or an appointment for their 3MT® presentation with the Writing and Communication Centre by January 25, 2027. Only those who attend coaching session 1 or participate in an appointment with the Writing and Communication Centre will be eligible to attend coaching session 2. 

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Resources

If you have any questions about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, please e-mail gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca.