Got three minutes? Present your research for a chance to win $1,500

Got three minutes? Present your research for a chance to win $1,500

What if three minutes could change the way you talk about your research?

The University of Cincinnati's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition challenges graduate students to explain their research or scholarship to people outside their field in just three minutes using a single PowerPoint slide. Applications for the 2027 competition open Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, giving graduate students a chance to sharpen a skill that can make a difference far beyond graduate school.

3MT is about more than winning a presentation competition. It asks students to step back from the technical details of their work, identify what matters most and communicate that idea in a way that makes sense to people outside their field.

For Esra Oz Cetindere, a PhD student in educational studies and UC's 2026 first-place winner, preparing for 3MT changed the way she thought about her own research.

"Preparing for the competition gave me a new way to look at my own research and think about what I truly wanted people to take away from it. I learned how to tell the story of my work in a simple and engaging way."

Cetindere said the experience continues to influence how she talks about her research.

"I still carry that experience with me, and I even find myself using parts of my 3MT speech when I talk about my research today. I would encourage any graduate student to participate in 3MT. It's three minutes you'll remember."

Esra Oz Cetindere PhD student in educational studies and UC's 2026 first-place winner

That ability to communicate complex ideas clearly can be valuable in academic, professional and everyday settings. Whether students are presenting their work to a faculty committee, interviewing for a job, speaking with a potential collaborator, explaining their research or scholarship to a community partner or trying to explain their work to family members over the holidays, they need to be able to make their point and make it matter.

Dorsa Rezayat, who earned second place in the 2026 competition while pursuing her PhD in mechanical engineering, saw that value firsthand.

"Whether you want to land your dream job, start a business, lead research, or make an impact in your community, one skill matters everywhere: making your point clear, fast. In today's fast-moving world, you often get only a few minutes to make people understand and care."

For Rezayat, the challenge of translating years of specialized research into a three-minute presentation became an opportunity to build confidence and strengthen a skill she can carry into her career.

"3MT challenged me to turn two years of research into three minutes for an audience with no background in my field. It was one of the most exciting experiences of my PhD, and I came out a sharper, more confident communicator. If you're thinking about it, apply. The challenge is exactly the point."

Dorsa Rezayat PhD student in mechanical engineering and UC's 2026 second-place winner

A challenge with real rewards

The 2027 3MT competition will award $2,750 in total prize funding across four awards:

• First place: $1,000
• Second place: $750
• Third place: $500
• People's Choice Award: $500

A first-, second- or third-place winner may also receive the People's Choice Award.

The first-place winner will also represent UC at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools regional 3MT competition during its annual meeting March 24-26, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The competition is open to all graduate students across UC, giving participants an opportunity to share their research with audiences beyond their own disciplines and connect with graduate researchers from across the university.

Get ready for 3MT

Two virtual information sessions will be offered in November for students interested in competing:

• Thursday, Nov. 5, noon-12:45 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-6:45 p.m.

Both sessions cover the same information, so students only need to attend one. They can choose the date and time that works best for their schedule. The sessions will cover competition rules, prize amounts, important dates, preliminary rounds and tips for success. Students will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about preparing their presentations.

The 2027 3MT application opens Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. The application form will be added to the Graduate College 3MT website when applications open.

The final competition will take place Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2027, with the specific time and location to be announced. Leading up to the competition, participants will have opportunities to practice their presentations, receive feedback and connect with fellow graduate students.

For competition rules, judging criteria, information session details and application information, visit the Graduate College 3MT website. Questions? Contact [email protected].

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