FASS Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Heat 2026

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges students to present their thesis and its significance in just three minutes to a general audience.

Please note that this is an in-person competition.

If you have any questions regarding the FASS 3MT heat, please email [email protected]

Registration deadline: March 1st at 11:59pm

The competition is open to all active SFU Master’s and PhD students. Unlike previous years, both thesis and non-thesis (course-based) students are welcome to participate. Please note that additional eligibility requirements apply for the Western and National stages.

• Thesis students: Presentations must be directly related to your graduate research and thesis or dissertation. Your research does not need to be complete.
• Non-thesis/course-based students: Presentations may be based on a topic related to your coursework.

This year, we’ll be hosting an in-person competition, where you will present to our panel of judges. The deadline to register is midnight on March 1st at 11:59pm.

All registered participants must submit one static PowerPoint slide or one-page PDF (no transitions, animations, or movement). Key rules include:

• One slide only; three minutes maximum speaking time.
• Presentations will be timed, and points will be deducted for exceeding the time limit in the Finals.
• No electronic media (sound, video).
• No props (exceptions only if integral to research).
• Spoken word only (no poems, raps, songs; minor elements allowed if research-related).
• No notes – presentation must be memorized.

The submission deadline for your slide is March 4th, no later than 2pm to [email protected]

• First place winner: $400
• Second place winner: $200
• People’s Choice winner: $200

At least two winners will move forward to the SFU-wide final.

See Yuxin Cao winner of the SFU 3MT competition in 2025 and a PhD Candidate in the Department of Archaeology, present her Three-Minute Thesis:

• A great way to get your research noticed by the general public
• Build your presentation and public speaking skills
• Develop your knowledge translation skills — something research funders look for in students
• Opportunity to meet other graduate students and find out about the interesting research going on, both within and beyond FASS

More information about the SFU, National, and International 3MT competitions can be found at SFU Graduate Studies and the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.

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