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.

2025

• 1^st Place & People's Choice: Mamta Kajal, PhD in Agricultural Sciences
• 2^ndPlace: Kailey Paar, PhD in Microbiology
• 3^rdPlace: Sebastian Rowan, PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

2024

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

2023

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

2022

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

2021

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

2020

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

2019

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

2018

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

2017

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

2016

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