3MT Competition at Ðǿմ«Ã½

The fourth annual competition at Ðǿմ«Ã½ will be held on February 28, 2025, 12:40 - 3:15 PM (approx.) in the Tinkham Veale University Center Ballroom. During the competition, each student will have three minutes and only a single slide to effectively explain their research and its significance in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. 

  • Friday, November 15, 2024, 1 - 2 PM: Information & Research Communications Session, Thwing Center, room 201 (in-person). 
  • Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 11:59 PM: Deadline to Submit Video for Ðǿմ«Ã½ First Round. Top competitors will move on to the final round.
  • Friday, January 24, 2025, 1 - 2 PM: Perfecting Your 3MT Slide Workshop (Zoom Session). 
  • January 2025 (TBA): Perfecting Your 3MT Pitch Workshop (Zoom Session)
  • Thursday, February 13, 2025, 12 - 2 PM: Practice Session for 3MT Finalists, Tinkham University Center, Ballroom A.  
  • Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 12 - 2 PM: Practice Session for 3MT Finalists (In-Person), Tinkham University Center, Ballroom A. 
  • February 28, 2025, 12:40 - 3:15 PM: Ðǿմ«Ã½ Final Round 3MT Competition (In-Person & Livestream). .
  • April 4, 2025: 1st Place Ðǿմ«Ã½ 3MT winner will compete at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools Regional Competition held during the 2025 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 3 - 5:30 PM: Winners of the Ðǿմ«Ã½ competition will be celebrated at the 2025 Graduate Awards Ceremony. 
  • Ðǿմ«Ã½ 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 Ðǿմ«Ã½ 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.

* from the 2023-24 virtual Ðǿմ«Ã½ 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

  • Translational Fellows Postdoc Prize: $500

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Graduate Studies Professional Development Center, Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership, and the Science and Human Rights Coalition

The 3MT winner will represent Ðǿմ«Ã½ at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT competition on April 4, 2025 (tentative - to be confirmed). The MAGS 2025 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana (travel costs will be covered by Ðǿմ«Ã½). 

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

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

  • Wesley Chen, Program Operations Manager, Pilot Coordinator, Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative, Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership

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

  • Aaron McPeck, Assistant Director of Enrollment and Engagement, Graduate Studies

Contact us at 3mt@cwru.edu

Thank you to our generous sponsors: