The winners of the local Three Minute Thesis Competition from 16 universities across Canada will compete by presenting their thesis research in the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition. Each three-minute presentation will be followed by a brief break for judges to evaluate. A winner, second place, and third place will be selected and announced after the final presentation and break. Audience votes will also be counted to determine the People’s Choice winner.

Prizes:

• First Prize: $1000
• Second Prize: $500
• Third Prize: $250
• People’s Choice Award: $100

Winners (First and Second place) will also compete in the 2025 National 3MT Showcase that will take place in Ottawa, on Thursday, November 6^th, 2025.

3MT is part of an effort to provide students with an opportunity to develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

Skills Training for Research Students

The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills, while developing research students' ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Building Research Culture in Schools and Institutes

3MT provides a valuable opportunity for research students to come together, get to know one another, and talk about their research. It also provides a supportive environment in which schools, institutes, and universities can provide presentation skills training.

Building External Relations for the University

The first and second place winners of the Eastern Regional 3MT competition may go on to represent their university at the National 3MT Showcase, which provides an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. Competitors will also benefit from raising the profile of their research across the university and within the local community.

Eligibility:

• Presenters must be currently registered in a Master’s (thesis-based only), active PhD, or Professional Doctorate Research program (comprising at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) at their respective universities.
• PhD students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible.
• Presentations must be based on research that is directly related to the student's graduate program thesis.
• Presenters must be available to deliver their presentation live on the day of the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition. To advance to the National 3MT Showcase, the first and second place winners of the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition must also be available to present live at the national event.
• Presenters must not have previously won the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition.
• Presenters (first-place winners) from attending universities must be current graduate students at the time of the Eastern Regional Competition. If a presenter is no longer a graduate student at that time, the second-place winner of the local 3MT competition will advance instead.

Rules:
Student Presentations

• All presentations are strictly limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors who exceed the three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when the graduate student initiates.
• No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted during the 3MT presentation.
• Presentations are to be delivered in regular prose. Poems, raps, or songs are not permitted. Quotes can be included from a poem or song if it is relevant to the presenter's thesis topic. Poetry and song lyrics are not permitted to be used to present the entire 3MT, and their use should be very limited.
• The presenter is allowed to interact with the audience; however, this should be limited and rhetorical in nature, and must not break any of the 3MT rules (e.g., no props, only spoken word). For example, a student may ask the audience to “raise their right arm” while demonstrating how to do so and explaining the reason for it.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

PowerPoint Slide

• One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, sound, or 'movement' is permitted. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• The design of the 3MT® slide is left to the discretion of the student.
• All images used in the 3MT® slide must conform to Canadian copyright law.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted during the 3MT presentation.

Judging Criteria:

Comprehension & Content

• The presentation provided clear motivation, background, and significance to the research question
• The presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• The presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research

Engagement & Communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

• 3MT Winning Presentations from around the World
• Resources Available at the University of Queensland 3MT Website
• 3MT Competitor Guide

Memorial's Competitor Videos from past competitions:

• 2018 Competitor Videos
• 2017 Competitor Videos
• 2016 Competitor Videos
• 2015 Competitor Videos
• 2014 Competitor Videos
• 2013 Competitor Videos

If you are interested in competing in the 3MT competition, below are some Frequently Asked Questions that will help you get started.

What is 3MT? Are there any examples of competitions?

The Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) is a skills development activity that challenges research higher degree students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in three minutes or less. You can visit the official Three Minute Thesis site to view videos from past competition winners at other universities.

Who is eligible to compete in 3MT?

Master’s (thesis-based only), active PhD and Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone/progress review (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. Graduates are not eligible.

How long is each 3MT presentation?

Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.

What is allowed on the presenter's 3MT PowerPoint slide?

One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. In preparing the slide, remember that 'less is more'. It does not have to include text. Visual cues are very effective in assisting the presenter's explanation of their research (No slide transitions, animations, sound, or 'movement' of any kind are permitted).

Can the presenter use a presentation title in non-specialist language other than their thesis title to facilitate their presentation?

Yes, the presenter can, and it is recommended.

Does the presenter have to put their personal information on the slide for the judges' panel to identify them?

No. The organiser will prepare a “title slide” for each candidate, including the candidate’s name, faculty, degree registered, and the presentation title. This “title slide” will appear before his/her video and their own single slide is shown.

May the presenter include copywritten images on the slide? 

Yes, however, it is recommended that the presenter contact their university library for any copyright concerns or questions to confirm the use of copywritten content.

Can sound or video be used during a presentation?

No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) is permitted during a 3MT presentation.

Can additional props be used during a presentation?

No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted during a 3MT presentation.

Can palm cards or speech notes be referred to during a presentation?

Yes, palm cards and/or speech notes are acceptable, however, this option may detract from the delivery of the 3MT and is not recommended.

While presenters can't deliver their 3MT as a poem or song, can they quote from a poem or song?

Yes, quotes can be included from a poem or song if it is relevant to the presenter's thesis topic. Poetry and song lyrics are not permitted to be used to present the entire 3MT, and their use should be very limited.

Can the presenter have interactions with the audience?

For example, if a student, during their presentation, asked the audience to “raise their right arm” while demonstrating how to do so, and explaining the reason for doing so, is that allowable in the competition?

Yes, the presenter is allowed to interact with the audience. This should be limited and rhetorical in nature and not break any of the 3MT rules (e.g., no props, only spoken word)

Is there a dress code?

There is no specific dress requirement, such as 'smart casual'. Some participants have worn suits with ties, while others have opted for t-shirts and jeans. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you; however, COSTUMES (including hats, masks, Dame Edna glasses, etc.) are not permitted.

Can the presenter win more than once category?

Yes, it is possible for the presenter to win a place (First, Second, Third) and win the People’s Choice Award.

What happens if the speaker cannot attend the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition?

The first-prize winner of the local 3MT competition is expected to represent their respective university at the next level of the competition. If the first-prize winner is unable to attend, the second-prize winner will advance to the subsequent round of the 3MT competition.

Who should the speaker contact if they have any questions about the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition?

The School of Graduate Studies will be able to assist you and answer any additional 3MT questions that you may have. Please email xw8080@mun.ca