Three-Minute Thesis (3MT©) Challenge Heats Begin:

The Faculty of Graduate studies is set to highlight 37 graduate students with the upcoming Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Challenge Heats. 3MT is a competition where graduate students condense their groundbreaking research into an informative and engaging three-minute presentation with the assistance of only one static slide. Created in 2008 at the University of Queensland, Australia, the competition celebrates interesting and innovative graduate student research while promoting communication, public speaking, and storytelling skills.  

The competition will be divided into three exciting heats, each highlighting a diverse array of research topics.  

The challengers participating in the 2026 competition are: 

Heat 1: March 9, 10:00am in room E3-262 EITC, Engineering Building, Fort Garry Campus 

Heat 2: March 10, 10:00am in room E3-262 EITC, Engineering Building, Fort Garry Campus 

Heat 3: March 11, 1:00pm in Theatre C, Basic Medical Sciences Building, Bannatyne Campus 

The Three-Minute Thesis competition at the University of Manitoba is more than just a competition – it’s an opportunity for graduate students to refine their communication skills and make their research accessible to the wider community. Challengers will gain experience in presenting in front of a diverse audience with the opportunity to win cash prizes. The top 3 challengers chosen by a panel of judges will take home $200 each. One wild card selection from each heat will be awarded $100. The winners will advance to the final competition event being held April 6, 2026, at 7:00pm at the Robert B Shultz Theatre, St. John’s College. The finalists from the heats will compete for the top spot and the chance to represent the University of Manitoba at the Western regional 3MT competition. These events are expected to be a thrilling showcase of both academic talent and creativity, providing a glimpse into the exciting research happening at the university. 

All Heats sessions are open to the public. Come out and cheer on UM graduate students. Don’t miss the chance to witness the future of research in just three minutes!