Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Step 1: Apply to 3MT® (Required)

Submit your application to be considered for the competition.

Step 2: Participate in Preliminary Support (Optional)

Accepted applicants may participate in the 3MT® Preparation Workshop Series and a practice round of the competition.

Note: Accepted applicants are only eligible for the $200 Preliminary Scholarship by participating in both the practice round (Step 2) and preliminary round of the 3MT® competition (Step 3). Workshop attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required.

Step 3: Register & Compete in the Preliminary Round (Required)

Accepted participants must register and present in the preliminary 3MT® competition.

Step 4: Participate in Finalists Workshop Series (Optional)

Selected finalists may attend additional workshops to prepare for the final round of the competition.

Step 5: Compete in the Final Round (Required)

Selected finalists present in the final 3MT® competition.

Watch our information session for an overview of the 3MT® competition and learn how to make the most of the preparation resources available to you.

3MT® Preparation Workshop Series

The 3MT® Prep Workshop Series is available to graduate students who apply to and are accepted into the 3MT® program. Participation is optional but strongly encouraged as preparation for the preliminary competition round.

These interactive workshops are designed to support accepted participants at every stage of developing their 3MT® presentation. Sessions focus on developing and drafting a strong 3MT® talk, strengthening public speaking skills, creating an effective 3MT® slide, and learning from past competitors through an alumni panel. Participants are expected to arrive with prepared material and to actively engage in feedback and discussion.

Session details will be emailed directly to accepted participants.

3MT® Finalists Workshop Series

The 3MT® Finalists Workshop Series is available to students who advance to the final round of the 3MT® competition. Sessions provide guidance, support, and feedback to help finalists refine their presentations and deliver them with confidence.

Session details will be emailed directly to finalists once they are selected, following the preliminary round.

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or "movement" of any description are allowed. 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., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, etc.) 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 front of the theater.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Comprehension and 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 so that other aspects of the presentation felt rushed?

Engagement and 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?

Scholarship prizes are awarded to the top three competitors and the People’s Choice award winner.

1^st Place - $1000*
2^nd Place - $750
3^rd Place - $500
People's Choice - $500

*The 1^st place winner will also advance to the regional 3MT® competition.

Additional Scholarships:

• All accepted applicants will receive a $200 scholarship for participating in both the practice round and preliminary round of the 3MT® competition.
• Each finalist will receive a $200 scholarship for advancing to the final round of the 3MT® competition. 

To watch presentations by former 3MT participants, please visit the UNH Graduate School Media Page.

2024

• 1^st place: Camryn Berry, PhD Student in Integrative Biology
• 2^nd place: Emily Andrews, PhD Student in Chemistry
• 3^rd place: Radhika Rani, Master's Student in Biochemistry
• People's Choice Award: Shuva Paul, PhD student in Electrical & Computer Engineering

2023

• 1^st place: Melanie Smith, Master's Student in Marine Biology
• 2^nd place: Manjot Rekhi, PhD Student in Earth and Environmental Science
• 3^rd place: Diana Reyes Gomez, PhD Student in Agricultural Sciences
• People's Choice Award: Ava Boutilier, Master's Student in Biochemistry

2022

• 1^st place: Sathya Jagadeesan, PhD student in Chemical Engineering
• 2^nd place: Nikolai Matukhno, Master's Student in Mechanical Engineering
• 3^rd place & People’s Choice Award: Nick Pollak, PhD candidate in Chemistry

2021

• 1^st place: David Heit, Msc Wildlife and Conservation Biology
• 2^nd place: Via D'Agostino, MFA Fiction Writing
• 3^rd place: Hannah Lightcap, PhD Psychology
• People’s Choice Award: Jess Flarity, PhD English Literature

2020

• 1^st place: Jordan Pierce, MS Oceanography
• 2^nd place: Allison Giannotti, PhD Composition & Rhetoric
• 3^rd place: Isaiah Paolo Atienza Lee, PhD Molecular and Evolutionary Systems Biology
• People’s Choice Award: Danial Mirzaiyanrajeh, PhD Civil & Environmental Engineering
• People’s Choice Runner Up: Kerry Dykens, MS Oceanography

2019

• 1^st place: Sidney Birch, PhD Molecular & Evolutionary Systems Biology
• 2^nd place & People’s Choice Award: Zane Relethford, PhD Chemistry
• 3^rd place: Katherine Ineson, PhD NRESS

2018

• 1^st place: Jovana Milosavljevic Ardeljan, PhD Education
• 2^nd place: Devon O'Rourke, PhD Molecular and Evolution Systems Biology
• 3^rd place & People’s Choice Award: Kaitlyn Belknap, M.S. Genetics

2017

• 1^st place: Drummond Biles, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
• 2^nd place: Meagan Wengrove, PhD Ocean Engineering
• 3^rd place: Ryan Stevens, PhD Natural resources
• People’s Choice Award: Rev. Holland Prior, MFA Creative Nonfiction
• People’s Choice Runner Up: Jovana Milosavljevic Ardeljan, PhD Education

2016

• 1^st place & People’s Choice Award: Lesley Atwood, PhD Agroecology
• 2^nd place: Susan Deily Swearingen, PhD History
• 3^rd place: Maria Marin Jarrin, PhD Oceanography