Three Minute Thesis Competition

Preliminary round

The top four contestants from groups A1, B1, A2 and B2 will be awarded $400 and will compete in the final round. Submit your presentation using the appropriate Group description link below.

Liberal Arts/Social Sciences/Education/Business/Public Health/Nursing

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium (MIKC 124)

• Group A1: Doctoral Dissertation Students
• Group B1: Master's Thesis Students

Sciences/Engineering/Mathematics

Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium (MIKC 124)

• Group A2: Doctoral Dissertation Students
• Group B2: Master's Thesis Students

Final round

Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium (MIKC 124)

In the final round, you'll compete against the eight finalists at your degree level:

• Group A — Doctoral Students (Four students from A1 and four students from A2)
• Group B — Master's Students (Four students from B1 and four students from B2)

Award amounts

Winners from each group of the final round will be awarded as follows:

• First Place: $1,500
• Second Place: $900
• Third Place: $600
• Peoples' Choice: $600

Deadline and application form

Applications are due March 8 by 11:59 p.m.

Preliminary submission form

Presentation:

1. A single, static PowerPoint slide in 16x9 format is required (pdfs not allowed).
2. Include your presentation title, full name, and graduate program on the slide.
3. First-place winners from the last year's 3MT competition are ineligible to compete, however, last year's second- and third-place winners are eligible to compete.
4. No slide transitions, animations or on-screen movement of any description are allowed.
5. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
6. No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
7. No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
8. Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
9. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
10. Presentations are to commence from the stage.
11. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
12. During the presentation, the presenter must be stationary on a location marked on stage. 
13. Presentations must be about the student's dissertation, thesis, or professional project showcasing the student's own research. Because this topic is a limited forum, the presentation may not include content outside the purpose of the 3MT Competition. Competitors who violate this rule may be disqualified. Except where directly relevant to the student's submission as accepted by the competition, the specific criteria for exclusion include the following:
    1. Discriminatory language, including slurs or derogatory references based on protected characteristics
    2. Descriptions of sexual conduct, sexual content, or sexual imagery
    3. Political content, including political party references, political endorsements, campaign messages, or other partisan material
    4. References to alcohol, controlled substances, or drug related paraphernalia
    5. Violence, including depictions of or graphic descriptions of injury, harm, or threatening conduct
    6. Commercial, promotional, or advertising content, including product placement or solicitations to purchase goods or services
    7. Non-responsive or off-topic content that does not address the prompt or falls outside the competition's purpose
14. All presentations must comply with University policies and applicable laws
15. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
16. All monetary awards for both preliminary and final rounds are pre-tax amounts.

Abstract:

1. Abstracts are limited to 250 words.

General:

1. Students must be graduate students to enter the competition.
2. Doctoral students must register as doctoral students, regardless of whether they are also enrolled in Master's program.
3. While advancement to candidacy is not required, students must have made significant progress towards completion of their dissertation, thesis, or professional project in order to enter the competition.
4. Finalists will be announced within two (2) business days following the preliminary competition. Winners will be announced as part of the finals event. 
5. You will be asked to sign a photo-video release when registering to compete to allow the University of Nevada, Reno to use your likeness in photos/videos of the competition.

Comprehension & Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement & Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?