2026–27 Three Minute Thesis competition application now open
Interested doctoral students must register by Oct.12to participate in this signature event
Three minutes. One slide. One big idea.
Applications are now open to eligible CU ǸԹ doctoral students to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, an academic competition that challenges students toexplain their researchin three minutes to a general audience and a panel of judges.
The first-place winner of the final competition will receive $1,500 and a chance to represent the university at the regional, national and international competitions. The runner-up and people’s choice winner also receive prize money.
Application closes Oct. 12
To participate, you must be a CU ǸԹ doctoral student admitted to candidacy by Jan. 1, 2027, be enrolled for spring 2027 and expect to graduate in May 2027 or later. Graduates or alumni are not eligible. The is Monday, Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m.
“Amazing research happens every day by graduate students, but it often flies under the radar. The Three Minute Thesis competition is an opportunity to showcase that creative and innovative work and the talented students that make it happen,” Scott Adler,dean of the Graduate School, said previously.
The 3MT event began in 2008 when the state of Queensland, Australia, suffered from a severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three-minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then-dean of the University of Queensland Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, decided to apply the same approach with his students in a first of its kind competition.
It has since spread across the globe, including to CU ǸԹ. 3MT competitions are now heldatover 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.
Prior to CU ǸԹ’s competition, which takes place every spring and is one of the Graduate School’s signature events, students participate in a series of workshops designed to strengthen their presentation and research communication skills, helping them to effectively (and succinctly) explain the significance of their research. The cohort-based program also gives students the opportunity to connect with fellow doctoral students across disciplines, building a sense of community and camaraderie along the way.
The Graduate School is hosting a virtual on Oct. 1 from 12–1 p.m. The session will cover the 3MT timeline, workshops, preliminary competition and final competition details.
For more information, includingpast winners, visit the 3MT website. For questions, contact Hailey Herman at hailey.herman@colorado.edu.