Three Minute Thesis (3MT) | Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs

The background is a spotlight shining down. Across the beam it says "3 minute thesis showdown. Represent your school. Claim the title. win the cash." the words showdown look like they are spray painted across the center of the screen.

Watch as competitors step into the spotlight and compete for cash prizes, campus prestige, and bragging rights. Represent their school and showcase their research in just three minutes—one slide, no jargon, endless impact.

The 3-Minute Thesis Showdown (3MT) challenges doctoral students to present their research in just three minutes using one static slide and language the layperson can understand. It’s a fast-paced, university-wide competition celebrating clarity, creativity, and the art of making research accessible. For audience members, the competition is an entertaining, fast-paced way to discover fascinating ideas and learn something new with every presentation.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, families, and members of the general public are welcome to attend as audience members.

The 3MT Showdown will take place in two rounds.

Preliminary Round: A multi-session competition where a panel of judges will select the top competitors to compete in the finals.
Final Round: The selected finalists will compete live in front of an audience for cash prizes up to $1,000, campus prestige, and the title of GW's Top Scholar Communicator.

Competitor's Resources

Event Details

Preliminary Rounds

Date: Monday, February 9th, Tuesday, February 10th, Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
- Participants will attend one 2-hour session
Location: USC Room 311

Limited audience space available.

Final Round

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm
Location: USC Amphitheater, 3rd Floor

Open to the public and live-streamed. The Live-stream link will be posted on this page closer to the event.

Cash Prizes

The top competitors will compete in the final round for cash prizes*:

First Place: $1,000

Second Place: $750

Third Place: $500

People's Choice: $500

The First Place winner will be GW’s nominee for the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) 3MT Competition in April.

First, second, and third place will be awarded by a panel of judges. People's Choice will be voted on by the audience.

Please refer to the Competitor's Resource Page for more information.

Questions? Contact Hillary Hughes at ogagwu [dot] edu (oga[at]gwu[dot]edu)

a young woman with long blonde hair wearing a tan sweater is smiling at the camera. In her hand she is holding up a certificate that says "First Place Award" in front of a timer with 3 minutes on it

2026 First Place Winner Natalie Boyle

This event will be photographed and live-streamed. If you have questions or concerns about privacy, please contact event organizer Hillary Hughes at ogagwu [dot] edu (oga[at]gwu[dot]edu)

*Cash prizes may be subject to taxation