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3MT Eligibility and Rules

Eligibility

Active master’s and doctoral candidates in disciplines/programs administered by The Graduate School are eligible to participate. Per CSGS, “Students enrolled in either Master’s or Ph.D. programs may compete. A student’s program of study must contain an original research project. The degree program need not formally require a thesis or dissertation. However, the presentation topic must cover the original research project.”

A competitive participant will likely have a well-conceived research project, compelling data collected, and a novel story to share. Those 3MT presentations that have incorporated more than just proposed research and included some preliminary findings have fared better than presentations that have not.

Rules

  • 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. cue cards, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • 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.