2026 Three Minute Thesis Application

Preliminary Competitions scheduled February 9th - February 12th, 2026
Final Event Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
Time: The competition will begin at 4:30 PM
Location: TBA

• 3MT presentations are timed; competitors who exceed the three minute time limit during the competition will be disqualified.
  
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. 
• The first place winner of the 3MT competition will receive a $1,000 award. Second place will receive $750, and third place will receive $500. The audience will select a people's choice winner, who will receive $500. Someone who wins first, second, or third place may also be awarded the people's choice. All prize funds will be posted to the winners' Catalyst student account. 
• Please read competition rules and judging criteria carefully before applying.
  
  

Registration for the 2026 Three Minute Thesis competition will open on November 1st, 2025. The application will be open until February 2nd, 2026.

Graduate students enrolled during the 2025-26 AY are eligible to participate. If you have taken or are taking at least one graduate credit hour in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, you are eligible. 

November 1st, 2025: 3MT Application Opens 

January, 2026: Prep Workshops 

February 2nd, 2026: 3MT Application due 

February 9th-12th, 2026: Virtual Preliminary Rounds

Prelim 1: Monday, February 9th from 2 PM - 4 PM

Prelim 2: Tuesday, February 10th from 10 AM - 12 PM 

Prelim 3: Tuesday, February 10th from 1 PM - 3 PM

Prelim 4: Wednesday, February 11th from 12 PM - 2 PM 

Prelim 5: Thursday, February 12th from 9 AM - 11 AM

Prelim 6: Thursday, February 12th from 1 PM - 3 PM

February 25th, 2026: Final Competition

Email 3mt@uc.edu.