The 3-Minute Thesis (3MT^®) is a research communication competition that challenges PhD or MS students to communicate the significance of their projects without the use of props or industry jargon, in just three minutes. 3MT develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of research students’ capacity to quickly explain their research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience leaving them wanting to know more.

Join a virtual 3-Minute Thesis Information session to learn more about the competition.

• January 30th at 10am 
• February 18th at 1pm

If you are interested in participating in the 3-Minute Thesis Competition and cannot attend a information session email sphevent@umn.edu

Prizes

• First place – $500, opportunity to compete in University wide 3MT competition
• Second place – $250
• People’s Choice – $150

3MT Competition Rules

• Single static PowerPoint slide. No slide transitions, animations, or “movement” of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from beginning of oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, lab equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum, and participants exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts her presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
• Graduation in spring, 2025
  Students may participate in the SPH 3MT competition
  If 1st place winner, student will not be able to advance to the UMN competition in fall 2025

View more information on 3MT competitions.

Prepare with the Graduate Schools 3MT e-course.

View a list of previous year’s winners.