Thursday, September 25, 2025

Announcing the launch of the 2026 GRADflix competition

Are you ready to grow your communication skills and share your research in a creative way? The 2025–2026 GRADflix competition is now open! 

GRADflix is a research communication competition for University of Waterloo graduate students. Participants create a video of 60 seconds or less to share their research with a non-specialized audience. GRADflix fosters storytelling skills, builds confidence in communicating to diverse audiences, and highlights the breadth of graduate research at Waterloo. 

By participating in GRADflix, you have the opportunity to learn how to tell your research story in a new way, expand your professional network, and gain greater visibility for your work. Many participants add their videos to résumés or LinkedIn profiles, while others find the skills developed through the competition helpful for teaching and conference presentations. There’s also the added incentive of cash prizes, with a top award of $1000. 

Supported through the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund, GRADflix culminates in an in-person showcase event where finalists share their videos with peers, faculty, and the broader Waterloo community. This event not only celebrates student achievement but also raises awareness of the many ways graduate students contribute to research and innovation across disciplines. 

GRADflix important dates 

All graduate students registered in a research-based program (i.e., master’s MRP, master's thesis, or doctoral program) or a graduate program that includes a substantial research component at the time of the GRADflix competition (e.g., research course, research project) are eligible to participate.