Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ). Graduate students who participate in the University of Louisville 3MT competition are given three minutes and one stationary slide to tell a compelling story of their research to a non-specialist audience.
Active doctoral and masters students are eligible to participate in UofL's 3MT Competition. Doctoral students who have achieved doctoral candidate status and are actively in the dissertation stage of training are eligible to compete for the first place and runner up prizes, while all graduate students are eligible to compete for the people's choice prize.
First Place: $500 professional development funds, and free Conference of Southern Graduate Schools attendance and participation (to complete with other regional 3MT competitors)
Runner Up: $250 professional development funds
People's Choice: $100 professional development funds
| Friday, September 5 | 3MT Competition Registration Opens |
| Monday, September 22, 4:30-5:00pm | Fall 2025 3MT Information and Interest Session (virtual) REGISTER HERE |
| Thursday, September 25, 12:30-1:00pm | Fall 2025 3MT Information and Interest Session (virtual) REGISTER HERE |
| Friday, October 3* | 3MT Competition Registration Closes* |
| Wednesday, October 8, 12:30-1:00** | 3MT Semifinal Heats Information Session** |
| Wednesday, October 8, 1:00-2:00pm | 3MT Preparation Session: Telling the Story of Your Research REGISTER HERE |
| Friday, October 10 | Deadline to submit materials for Semifinal Heats |
| Tuesday, October 14, 1:00-3:00pm** | Semifinal Heats** |
| Wednesday, October 15, 1:00-3:00pm** | Semifinal Heats** |
| Thursday, October 16, 1:00-3:00pm** | Semifinal Heats** |
| Wednesday, October 22 | 3MT Competition Finalists Announced |
| Thursday, October 30 (time TBD)*** | 3MT Competition Individual Coaching Sessions*** |
| Friday, October 31 (time TBD)*** | 3MT Competition Individual Coaching Sessions*** |
| Monday, November 3, 3-3:45pm* | 3MT Finalists Prep Session (virtual)* |
| Monday, November 3* | Deadline for finalists to submit materials for final competition* |
| Friday, November 7, 2:00-4:00pm* | Fall 2025 3MT Competition* |
| *Required components of 3MT participation. | |
| **Students will sign up for a 1-hour slot during the Semifinal Heats. The six hours across three days simply provide options of dates and times. | |
| ***Finalists will sign up for a 1-hour individual coaching session on 10/30 or 10/31. | |
View our previous 3MT® winners here.
Questions and More Information
Do you still have questions? Contact Dr. Michelle Rodems, Assistant Dean for Student Success.