Applications for the 3MT 2026 competition are now closed. Any questions or want to learn more about the competition? Send them along to 3mt@dal.ca
The 2026 3MT competition introduces several key updates, including expanded eligibility for course-based master’s students engaged in research, visiting students, postdocs, and, at the local level, undergraduate honours, provided they receive supervisor approval.  Course-based, professional, visiting, exchange, postdoctoral or undergraduate participants are not eligible to advance beyond the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß-level 3MT competition. To learn more, please consult the .
We strive to have all graduate students be able to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT). If you have concerns about your participation due to accessibility needs that require accommodations, please contact Niki Power
Take to the stage and present your research
The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition brings together the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß community to give graduate student researchers a platform to share and celebrate their ideas and compete for cash prizes.
How does it work? You have three minutes to present your research in as engaging a manner as possible for a non-specialist audience, with one PowerPoint slide permitted as a visual aid.
Key dates
- Monday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (AT): We host our first ever 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß Agriculture campus heats! All are welcome to join us at the Riverview room at Jenkins Hall. For more details, access the [PDF - 926.7 KB].     Â
- Tuesday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (AT): First round of the 3MT competition, preliminary heats, takes place. All are welcome to attend! Location: Council Chambers (room 270), 2nd floor, 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß Student Union Building. For more details, access the  [PDF - 956.3 KB].     Â
- Tuesday, March 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. (AT) (Reception included): 3MT finals take place. All are welcome to attend! ³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýMcInnes Room, 2nd Floor, Student Union Building. For more details, access the [PDF - 2.2 MB].Â
New this year, wildcard slot for the 3MT finals
This year, there will be a wildcard slot available for one of the newly eligible groups—course-based master’s students engaged in research, visiting students, postdocs and undergraduate honours. The Wildcard slot participant will be able to showcase their research during the finals, but will be ineligible to win or advance to the regional 3MT competition.
Accessibility Statement
If you anticipate a barrier to your participation in the 3MT competition related to a protected characteristic and wish to request accommodation, please make an appointment to meet with an Access Advisor for more information. Â
Workshops and 3MT supports
Partner: Libraries, Copyright Office, FGS
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Three Minutes. One slide. But what to put on that slide that captures your ideas and frames your presentation? Join this workshop and learn design tips on how one slide can capture the audience’s attention. We will also discuss images and copyright.
Partner: Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Want to make your research stand out in just three minutes? This crash course will help you craft a clear, compelling, and engaging 3MT presentation. Learn how to distill complex ideas into a powerful narrative, captivate your audience, and leave a lasting impact—all while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're preparing for competition or simply looking to refine your communication skills, this session will provide practical tips and feedback to help you shine.
Partner: Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: Friday, March 13
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Want to make your research stand out in just three minutes? This crash course will help you craft a clear, compelling, and engaging 3MT presentation. Learn how to distill complex ideas into a powerful narrative, captivate your audience, and leave a lasting impact—all while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're preparing for competition or simply looking to refine your communication skills, this session will provide practical tips and feedback to help you shine.
Drop-in Coaching
- Attend one of our online drop-in feedback and coaching sessions being held this week to receive one-to-one constructive feedback before the 3MT Heats. Registration is not required and participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Partners: Writing Centre, Study for Success, past 3MT finalists
Dates and times:
Please visit the Writing Centre to for more coaching.
Eligibility FAQ
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is open to a wide range of 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß researchers. Eligibility rules are set by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) and implemented locally by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Questions about eligibility?
Contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies at gradpd@dal.ca or consult the .
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
- A thesis-based master’s student
- A PhD student
- A course-based master’s student engaged in research
- A visiting or exchange student conducting research at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß
- A postdoctoral fellow
- An undergraduate student in honours-based program
Supervisor or project-lead approval is required for non-thesis-based participants.
Yes. Course-based master’s students who are actively engaged in a research or research-creation project may participate in may participate in the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß-level competition with supervisor or instructor approval.
Yes. Visiting students, exchange students, and postdoctoral fellows may participate in the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß-level competition, provided they are actively engaged in research at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß.
Yes. Undergraduate students completing an honours thesis may participate at the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß 3MT level with supervisor approval.
Only:
- Thesis-based master’s students
- PhD students
All other eligible groups may participate locally only and are not eligible to advance beyond 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß’s competition.
Yes. Newly eligible 3MT participants can win the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß-level competition and corresponding prize money, including the People's Choice award.Â
All eligible participants have access to:
- 3MT presentation workshops
- Coaching and feedback opportunities
- Accessibility accommodations
- Faculty of Graduate Studies guidance and support
Students are not required to have completed their research to participate – as long as the student feels they have enough research to make a compelling presentation, they are encouraged to register.
Participate in the 3MT competition
Dal graduate students
Are you enrolled in a research-based master’s or doctoral program? Participate in this year's 3MT competition by registering before 9 a.m. on March 2. To participate, please submit your 3MT presenter slide to ThreeMT@dal.ca by March 10 at 3 p.m. (AT).Â
The first round of the competition — the preliminary heats — take place on March 14. The winners of the heats will move forward to the finals on March 20, during which various cash prizes will be offered:
First Place: $1,000 and the opportunity to represent 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß at the eastern regionals
Second Place:Â $500
Third Place:Â $250
People’s Choice: $250 (in addition to any other prize money received)
Remaining Finalists:Â $100
Faculty and staff
Thank you to those faculty and staff that registered to serve as heats judges on March 14. Please check your email for details.
Members of the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß community (everyone)
Members of the Dal community and beyond are invited to join us for the 3MT heats on March 14 and finals on March 20. Cheer on competitors and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award winner during the finals, while learning about the important work being done by the grad student community.
Join the 3MT@Dal 2023 Brightspace community
To self register for the 3MT Brightspace community, access resources, and watch recordings of past workshops, follow the steps below:
- Log in to Brightspace at using your 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß credentials.
- Next, click on the "Academic Support" tab in the top menu, and select "Self Registration."
- In the list of self registration course offerings, click on 3MT@Dal 2023 (course code: ONLC.3MT.DAL.23), and then click "Register."
- A form will appear that will auto-populate your credentials; ensure these are correct, and hit "Submit."
- You will receive an email confirming your enrollment in 3MT@Dal, and you'll become part of the online community in Brightspace. You may want to pin the course to your homepage for ease of access.
Upcoming 3MT workshops
Whether you're thinking of participating in 3MT or are looking to sharpen your communication skills, join our upcoming workshops. These sessions will introduce you to 3MT, help you prepare your presentation for the competition, and offer coaching and feedback.
3MT Coaching
Date: March 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Partner: Writing Centre and Studying for Success
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Upcoming Dal 3MT workshops
See 3MT in action
Visit our to view presentations from past competitions.Â