2026 UQ 3MT Competition

To participate in the UQ Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, please complete the Competitor Registration Form.

Discipline heats will be held between 6–17 July 2026. The schedule below outlines when each discipline heats will take place. Competitors will be allocated to a single heat and are only required to attend their assigned session.

Specific session allocations will be confirmed once registrations have closed. Multiple heats may run concurrently across campuses.

The top candidates from each heat will progress to their respective Faculty or Combined Institute 3MT Final, where they will compete for a place in the UQ 3MT Final.

Faculty and Combined Institute Finals will be held between 3–14 August, with further details to be shared once confirmed.

The UQ 3MT Wildcard competition is the final pathway into the UQ 3MT Final. Runner-up finalists from each Faculty and Combined Institute Finals will compete for one last place on the UQ stage.

Expect a high-calibre showcase of research communication, with one standout presenter earning the Wildcard spot in the UQ 3MT Final.

Event details

• Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
• Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
• Location: Terrace Room, Level 6, Sir Llew Edwards Building (14), St Lucia QLD 4072

Event registrations will open soon, with further details to be confirmed.

The 2026 UQ 3MT Final will be held on Wednesday 16 September and will bring together the seven finalists: one representing each of UQ's five Faculties, the winner of the Combined Institute competition, and the winner of the 3MT Wildcard competion.

Event details

• Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
• Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
• Location: GHD Auditorium, Advanced Engineering Building (49-200), St Lucia QLD 4072

Event registrations will open soon, with further details to be confirmed.

To register as a competitor for the 2026 3MT competition please complete the Competitor Registration Form. 

We will contact you to confirm your participation and provide additional details about the 3MT competition. We will provide confirmation on which heat you have been assigned once registrations have closed.

The format of the UQ 3MT competition at all levels is a live in-person event and all competitors are required to be judged on a live in-person performance.

Below outlines an overview of the process for the 3MT discipline heats:

• To compete in the 2026 UQ 3MT competition all HDR candidates will need to complete the Competitor Registration Form
• Competitors prepare their 3MT presentations
• The Graduate Research School will provide instructions to competitors regarding their discipline heat once registrations have closed
• Competitors will email the following to the Graduate Research School for their discipline heat:
  • Personal details
  • 3MT PowerPoint slide
• Competitors participate in their allocated discipline heat, between 6-7 July 2026
• Once discipline heats have concluded, the Graduate Research School will provide scoring lists to enrolling units for prizes to be awarded, if applicable
• Finalists will be provided with further information from their 3MT Event Coordinator about their respective final competition, due to take place between 

Below outlines an overview of the process for the 3MT Faculty/Combined Institute Finals:

• The Graduate Research School will confirm top performers at the discipline heats who will progress to their respective final
• The Graduate Research School will provide a list of finalists to each Faculty and to the Combined Institutes
• Competitors will receive information about their Faculty/Combined Institute 3MT final by their 3MT Event Coordinator
• Competitors will email the following to their 3MT Event Coordinator for their Faculty/Combined Institute 3MT competition:
  • Personal details;
  • 3MT PowerPoint slide.
• Competitors participate in their Faculty/Combined Institute Final, between 3-14 August 2026
• Runner-ups will be provided with further information from the Graduate Research School about progressing to the UQ 3MT Wildcard competition, due to take place on Wednesday 9 September 2026
• Winners will be provided with further information from the Graduate Research School about progressing to the UQ 3MT Final competition, due to take place on Wednesday 16 September 2026

Thinking about taking part in the 3MT competition in 2026?

Join this session to learn what the 3MT competition is all about, including eligibility, how the competition works, and what to expect at each stage. We will also provide an overview of the updated 2026 model, including how heats and progression will be structured this year.

You will also hear practical tips to help you prepare a strong presentation and make the most of the experience. Whether you are ready to participate or just exploring your options, this session will help you decide if 3MT is right for you.

Information Session for HDR Candidates [Webinar]

• Date: 11 May 2026
• Time: 10:00am – 11:00pm
• Location: Zoom 

Register

We offer a range of training and support workshops to help you prepare for the 3MT competition, including sessions focused on communicating your research clearly and confidently.

Please find below the details of upcoming workshops to assist you in preparing for your 3MT presentation.

Impactful Presentations: Script Development [St Lucia]

• Date: 5 May 2026
• Time: 9:30am - 2:00pm
• Location: St Lucia

Register

Presenting for the 3MT [Webinar]

• Date: 20 May 2026
• Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
• Location: Zoom

Register

Communicating Qualitative Research [Webinar]

• Date: 18 May 2026
• Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
• Location: Zoom

Register

Presenting Your Research [Webinar]

• Date: 19 May 2026
• Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
• Location: Zoom 

Register

Presenting Your Research [Herston]

• Date: 19 May 2026
• Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
• Location: Herston

Register

Impactful Presentations: Physical Development [St Lucia]

• Date: 26 May 2026
• Time: 9:30am  - 2:00pm
• Location: St Lucia

Register

Presenting for the 3MT [Webinar]

• Date: 3 June 2026
• Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
• Location: Zoom

Register

Impactful Presentations: Script Development [Herston]

• Date: 29 June 2026
• Time: 9:30am  - 2:00pm
• Location: Herston

Register

Impactful Presentations: Physical Development [Herston]

• Date: 6 July 2026
• Time: 9:30am  - 2:00pm
• Location: Herston

Register

Eligibility

Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (or equivalent progress review) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in the 3MT competition. Active means currently enrolled and not on an approved interruption. Candidates whose thesis is under submission are considered active and are eligible to participate. Graduates are not eligible.

Candidates who meet these requirements are eligible to progress through all stages of the competition, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition.

Please note: Active MPhil and pre-confirmation PhD candidates may participate in the UQ 3MT competition up to and including Faculty or Combined Institute Finals; however, they are not eligible to progress to the UQ 3MT Final or beyond.

Progression

To take part in the UQ 3MT competition, candidates will first compete in a centrally coordinated, in-person discipline-based heat. Top-performing candidates from each heat will progress to their Faculty or Combined Institute Final. Progression will be determined based on ranking within each heat, with approximately the top 15% advancing.

Candidates who progress beyond the Faculty or Combined Institute Final are expected to represent their Faculty or Institute at the next stage of the competition. Faculty or Combined Institute winners will advance to the UQ 3MT Final, with runners-up progressing to the UQ 3MT Wildcard Competition. If a selected finalist is unable to attend the UQ 3MT Final, the runner-up will be invited to take their place.

The flow chart below outlines the progression through each stage of the competition.

*Runner-ups from each Faculty and Combined Institute Final will progress to the UQ 3MT Wildcard competition. The winner of the Wildcard competition will advance to the UQ 3MT Final.

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please review the 3MT Competitor Guide to help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and  practising your presentation.

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. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 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.

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

• Comprehension and Content
  • Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question;
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research; and
  • Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.
• Engagement and Communication
  • The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience;
  • The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation; and
  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

Prizes are an important incentive for HDR candidates entering the competition. Prizes can vary at the discretion of your School or Faculty.

Discipline Heats

• No central prizes are awarded at this stage
• Enrolling Units (Schools/Institutes) may choose to recognise and reward their participants using the scores provided

Faculty/Combined Institute Final

• Faculties or Combined Institutes may choose to award prizes at their discretion

At this stage:

• Winner progresses to the UQ 3MT Final
• Runner-up progresses to the UQ 3MT Wildcard competition

Wildcard Competition

• No prize is awarded at this competition

At this stage:

• Winner progresses to the UQ 3MT Final

UQ 3MT Final

• First Prize: $5,000 research grant
• Runner-Up: $2,000 research grant
• People’s Choice: $1,000 research grant

At this stage, the winner will represent UQ at:

• Virtual Asia-Pacific 3MT Final
• Virtual U21 3MT competition

Asia-Pacific 3MT Final

• First Prize: $5,000 research grant
• Runner-Up: $2,000 research grant
• People’s Choice: $1,000 research grant

Past UQ 3MT finalists can be viewed here.