UMaine’s 3MT Competition
An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit… 3 minutes.
UMaine’s 2026 3MT Competition DETAILS
When & Where
The competition will be held on March 11, 2026 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center.
CASH Prizes
Want to Participate?
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a contender? Register now to compete in UMaine’s 3MT competition this year!
Competitor resources
RULES
Generate Buzz
The Graduate School is offering an opportunity to generate some buzz about the competition that will give the competitors additional practice for their presentations. To participate, competitors must generate a short video, approximately 30 seconds, with a very brief explanation of their research and an invitation to attend the 3MT competition. The Graduate School will post the videos on their social media, tagging the participant’s social media handles, and work with Marketing & Communications to share on their platforms. Review our 3MT Tips & Tricks for recording your video and reach out to Amanda Rose at amanda.rose@maine.edu for more information if you are interested.
JUDGING CRITERIA
At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on the audience.
Comprehension & Content
Engagement & Communication
Coaching Sessions
Coaching for presentations will be available on the dates listed below. These meetings aren’t mandatory for 3MT contestants, they offer you access to peers and professionals who can assist with writing and public speaking. Zoom options can be made available for remote students.
Video Resources
Below you’ll find some videos that provide tips on a successful 3MT presentation as well as some previous UMaine competitor presentations. You can also view the 2024 Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) regional competition video here to see past competitors at other institutions.
Past UMaine 3MT Presentation: Cameron Hodgdon
Past UMaine 3MT Presentation: Atefeh Rajaei
Past UMaine 3MT Presentation: Elisabeth Kilroy
WHAT IS THE 3MT COMPETITION?
The University of Maine’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges graduate students to explain with just one static slide and their communication skills, their research to a general audience in only three minutes. Judges select the first and second place winners and audience members select the people’s choice winner. The first-place winner will move on to the regional competition.
3MT Overview
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the research conducted by doctoral students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT competitions cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN 3MT?
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose dissertation is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition. Graduates are not eligible.
UMaine is offering the opportunity for master’s students who are research-based and submitting a thesis as part of their degree program to participate in the local 3MT event. Master’s students do not qualify for regional or national 3MT competition events.
Want to Participate?
Register now to compete in UMaine’s 2026 3MT
