The 3MT competition is coming back: sign up before February 2nd

3MT challenges PhD students to summarise their research projects into a concise, scientifically accurate and engaging three-minute presentation tailored for a non-specialist audience. 

What’s 3 Minute Thesis? 

3 Minute Thesis (3MT) is a competition for PhD students from any and all fields. In it, participants summarise their research projects into a concise, scientifically accurate and engaging three-minute presentation tailored for a non-specialist audience. Originating from the University of Queensland, this is the second time the University Library brings 3MT to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. After a round of preliminaries, finalists compete in the Grand Final on April 9th (2026) for one of three prizes. 

Who’s 3MT for? 

3MT is open for participation to PhD students doing their project at VU, no matter their field or project progress. Have you participated before? As long as you haven’t previously won one of the prizes of 3MT at VU, you’re welcome to sign up again. 

Why compete? 

Truly, where to begin? The competition is an exciting way to engage with your own matter in new ways as well as with peers across scientific and scholarly fields – and their research, of course. Then there’s a total of €1.300 in prizes funded by Open Science VU, for three participants (€600 for the winner, €400 for the runner-up and €300 for the public’s choice). Also, whether you end up winning a prize or not, the competition process offers opportunity for feedback and guidance to enhance your presentation and communication skills. Lastly, as nice bonus, 3MT is a great way to spend time at VU outside your faculty and department – outside your bubble – and get to know our university better.  

Sign up! 

So, don’t hesitate and sign up before February 2^nd by filling out this form. There’s no need to prerecord your 3-minute thesis beforehand; you could even fully postpone preparing your presentation until the preliminaries in March. But be aware, there’s limited spots available. 

Process and dates 

• December 8^th: submissions open 
• February 2^nd: submissions close 
• T.B.A.: virtual Q&A-session (will be recorded to watch later as well) 
• March 3^rd, 5^th, 10^th or 12^th: preliminary rounds 
• April 9^th: Grand Final 2026