Three Minute Thesis Competition

⚠️ ATTENTION GRADUATE STUDENTS and ADVISORS: The 3MT® submission process has changed for CRWAD2027! Entries must now be submitted via our standalone online entry form by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 2, 2026, and be submitted separately to be considered for a general abstract slot. As in previous years, selected participants require a $50 adviser-supported entry fee.

One of the most critical skills that all researchers need to master is effective scientific communication.  After all, can your research truly have an impact if people don’t understand it?  

Graduate Students:

  • Are you willing to test yourself in an ultimate challenge in research communication?
  • Can you convey the essence and importance of your hard work and an 80,000-word thesis in just three minutes?
  • Do you want to join in the excitement of competing with other graduate students for up to $2,000 in prizes?

Then join the CRWAD Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition!

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed in 2008 by the University of Queensland in Australia. Today, 3MT® competitions are held annually in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries.

3MT® competitions help graduate students develop and showcase their research communication skills by challenging them to present their thesis or dissertation as a compelling story in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, with one slide, without any props or gimmicks.  This is the ultimate challenge of “elevator talks” for graduate students!

How Do I Enter?

Our 3MT submission process is new for CRWAD2027!

Instead of submitting your 3MT® entry as part of a CRWAD2027 abstract, students will submit their entry via this standalone online entry form by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 2, 2026, including

  • An abstract title and a 4,000-character abstract submission
  • Up to 5 abstract keywords

All abstracts submitted for the 3MT® Competition apply ONLY for 3MT consideration and must be submitted separately to be considered as a general abstract at CRWAD2027.

If students are selected to participate in the CRWAD 3MT® Competition, their advisors will be asked to pay a $50 entry fee, which will be matched by the CRWAD Executive Council to create the prize fund for the 3MT® Competition.

The entry fee will be due by Monday, November 16, 2026. Advisors can pay the fee:

Students or advisors can contact CRWAD at the time that 3MT® entries are submitted if paying this entry fee will create a financial hardship ([email protected]).

Can my 3MT® entry also count as a general abstract submission?

No. Any abstract you submit through the 3MT® entry form applies ONLY to 3MT consideration and will not be reviewed as a general abstract at CRWAD2027.

You’re welcome to present the same data for 3MT and as a general abstract, but each requires its own separate submission, and the two abstracts should read differently because the expectations differ:

  • A general abstract is a concise scientific summary that emphasizes the study’s background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
  • A 3MT® abstract supports a presentation that explains your research to a broad, non-specialist audience. Rather than focusing on methodological detail, it emphasizes the research problem, why it matters, your key findings, and the potential impact, all in clear, accessible language.

If you want your work considered both ways, submit a general abstract through the standard CRWAD2027 abstract process and a separate 3MT® abstract through the standalone entry form, both before 11:59 p.m. on October 2, 2026.

Eligibility

The CRWAD 3MT® competition will be limited to 20 presenters. Students are eligible to participate if they are registered attendees of CRWAD and are currently enrolled in a thesis, dissertation, or other culminating research program at the time of completion.

Graduates and students who have successfully completed their final thesis/dissertation defense are not eligible to participate.

A highly competitive candidate should have a well-conceived research program, a novel and compelling story about its relevance and impact, and results available to describe.

Students who have advanced beyond the initial phases of their research program will be given preference. Students are eligible to enter both the CRWAD 3MT® competition and the competition for research abstract presentations.

Awards and Prizes

It depends on how many people enter the competition – up to twenty 3MT® presentation slots will be available. Students’ advisors (or another designated person such as a Department Chair, etc) will be asked to pay a $50 entry fee for each student which will be matched by the CRWAD Executive Council to create the prize fund for the 3MT® Competition.* Additionally, CRWAD attendees will have the option to donate additional funds at the time of registration for the 3MT® competition prizes.

  • First Place: Up to $1,000 (or 50% of the prize fund)
  • Second Place: Up to $500 (or 25% of the prize fund)
  • Third Place: Up to $300 (or 15% of the prize fund)
  • People’s Choice Award: Up to $200 (or 10% of the prize fund)**

* Students or advisors can contact CRWAD at the time of entry if paying this entry fee will create a financial hardship.
** Students may win this coveted award in addition to one of the awards listed above. Voting by attendees will take place live immediately after the presentations.

Rules

  • The 3MT® competition will be limited to 20 presenters. Students who have advanced beyond the initial phases of their research program will be given preference. Previous winners of the CRWAD 3MT® competition are not eligible.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed in the PowerPoint. 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., laser pointers, costumes, theatrical makeup, 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, but it is not required to stand behind a podium.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decisions of the adjudicating panel are final.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension and Content:

  • The presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
  • The presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
  • The presentation discussed the student’s whole research program rather than a single experiment or project.
  • The presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research program.

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.

Resources

Resources to help you prepare for the CRWAD 3MT® Competition:

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