Three Minute Thesis Competition

Eligibility Criteria

• Degree-seeking graduate student
• Registered for one or more credits spring semester 2025
• Registration form must be submitted by the December 15, 2024 deadline

Additionally, finalists must agree to participate in promotional activities coordinated by University Relations. This includes:

• A short paragraph summary of their research
• A photo session with University Relations
• A brief interview during the practice round
• A 5-minute interview with the 3MT champion following the announcement

How does 3MT work?

The 3MT has two rounds: preliminary rounds and a championship round. The winners of the preliminary rounds advance to the championship round.

Preliminary Rounds

Each competitor submits a 3-minute video presentation of their research. The video can include one static image (PowerPoint slide or other graphic).

Submitted videos are divided into six groups, each evaluated by a panel consisting of NDSU faculty, students, staff, and community members. The judges assess presentations based on subject comprehension, presentation content, audience engagement, and communication skills.

Each preliminary round winner will receive $250 and advance to the live championship round, which is open to the public.

Championship Round

The championship round will take place in person at the Anishinaabe Theater, NDSU Memorial Union. A new panel of judges, who did not evaluate the preliminary rounds, will assess the presentations based on the same criteria. They will see the presentations for the first time at the event.

The winner of the championship round will be named the 2025 3MT Champion, earning $1,000, plus the $250 preliminary round prize for a total of $1,250. The champion will also advance to the Western Association of Graduate Schools Regional 3MT Competition. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final. Additionally, two innovation awards, each worth $500, will be presented to the competitors with the most innovative presentations.  All 3MT participants are eligible for these awards.
 

Information Sessions:

Open to any interested graduate student to learn more about the competition, including rules, judging criteria, and timeline.

• Monday, October 21, 2-2:30 p.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6
• Tuesday, October 22, 9:30-10 a.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6

Strategies and Slide:

These workshops may be limited to 3MT preliminary round competitors.

• Monday, November 4, 10-11 a.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6
• Friday, November 8, 3-4 p.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6

Presentation Strategies:

For any graduate student to improve presentation skills.

• Tuesday, October 15, 3-4 p.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6
• Tuesday, November 5, 10-11 a.m. | Grad Hub - Library 6
   

At every level of the competition, competitors will be assessed on two key areas, equally weighted:

Comprehension and Content:

• Presentation clearly motivated the research question and its significance.
• Research strategy/design and results/findings were clearly described.
• Conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research were clearly articulated.

Engagement and Communication:

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

Preliminary Video Round

• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding the time limit are disqualified.  
• Videos must meet the following criteria:
  • Filmed horizontally on a plain background from a static position.
  • Single camera angle.
  • Include a 3MT title slide and a single, static PowerPoint slide (no transitions or animations).
  • The audio must be continuous with no sound edits.
  • No additional props or electronic media are allowed.
  • Spoken word only—no poems, raps, or songs.
• Submissions must be in video format, with only the video link provided to Event Coordinators. Files in other formats will not be accepted.
• Entries for final adjudication in the Wildcard or University Final must be submitted by the School/Faculty/Institute 3MT Event Coordinator. Competitors should not submit their videos directly to 3MT.

Championship Round

• Same rules as the preliminary round, with a live presentation and the same criteria.