3MT Competition at CWRU

• Thursday, November 20, 2025, 1 - 2 PM: Information & Research Communications Session.
  • Register for the event on Campus Groups
  • View the recording of last year's session here. 
  • View last year's info session slides here.
• Sunday, December 7, 2025, 11:59 PM: Deadline to Submit Video for CWRU First Round. Top competitors will move on to the final round.
  • Submit your video here
• Friday, January 23, 2026, 1-2 PM: Perfecting Your 3MT Slide Workshop (on Zoom)
• Friday, January 30, 2026, 1-2 PM: Perfecting Your 3MT Pitch Part 1 Workshop (on Zoom)
• Friday, February 6, 2026, 1-2 PM: Perfecting Your 3MT Pitch Part 2 Workshop (on Zoom)
• Thursday, February 12, 2026, 12 - 2 PM: Practice Session for 3MT Finalists, Tinkham University Center, Ballroom A. 
• Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12 - 2 PM: Practice Session for 3MT Finalists, Tinkham University Center, Ballroom A.
• February 27, 2026, 12:40 - 3:15 PM: CWRU Final Round 3MT Competition (In-Person & Livestream). Audience members can register here (coming soon).
• March 27, 2026: 1st Place CWRU 3MT winner will compete at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools Regional Competition held during the 2026 Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri (travel costs will be covered by CWRU). 
• April 29, 2026, 3:00 - 5:30 PM: Winners of the CWRU competition will be celebrated at the 2026 Graduate Awards Ceremony. 

• CWRU students enrolled in either a Master’s or Doctoral program with an original research project may compete.
• CBM students in the graduate phase of their program are eligible to participate
• Undergraduate students are not eligible to participate

• A single static slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, 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 (if possible for the final round). 
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• Decisions made by the adjudicating panel are final.

• Video submissions need to be less than or equal to 3 minutes, i.e. 3:01 will be disqualified.
• Presentations are expected to be of the spoken word format (no poems, no rap, no songs, no additional electronic media like sound and video files, no additional props are allowed).
• The 3 minute submission needs to be continuous without any interruptions or edits.
• Video submissions need to meet the following criteria to qualify for judging:
  • We recommend that videos be recorded via Zoom (all CWRU students have access to this)*
  • Must be filmed from a single camera angle throughout the presentation
  • Camera position should be horizontal so that the presenter is clearly visible under ambient lighting
  • Presenter needs to be seen physically in the video
  • Static slide with no animations, slide transitions or movements
  • Clear audio with no background noise
  • Clear visibility of text and figures on the slide 
• The slide background can be white or any other color, as long as the images (and the text within the images) are clearly visible on the Zoom screen.
• The decision of the judging panel is final and cannot be challenged.

*Watch the recording from the 2024-25 virtual CWRU Research Communications Workshop for tips on recording via Zoom.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

• 1st Place Award: $2,000

• 2nd Place Award: $1,500

• 3rd Place Award: $1,000

• People's Choice Award: 3 Awards, $350 each

The 3MT winner will represent CWRU at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT competition on March 27, 2026 (tentative - to be confirmed) at the MAGS 2026 Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri (travel costs will be covered by CWRU). 

• Rachel Begley, Director, Graduate Studies, Professional Development Center 

• Stephen Fening, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, and Managing Director, Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership 

• Eric Moore, Director, Graduate Studies, Spoken English Language Programs

• Jillian White, Manager of Programs and Special Projects, Graduate Studies

Contact us at 3mt@cwru.edu