At Translational Science 2026, ACTS will host the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. The 3MT is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia that cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. We are honored to bring this prestigious competition to our Translational Science meeting.
This friendly competition for trainees and scholars will consist of three categories:
- Predoctoral Trainee
- Postdoctoral Trainee
- Early Career Faculty Scholar
By participating in the 3MT held during Translational Science 2026 participants will have the opportunity to take part in a highly respected, globally recognized competition to demonstrate their mastery of research communication skills, an essential skill required in all areas of the field. Win or lose, participating in this competition is an incredible learning opportunity to boost presentation confidence, meet a supportive group of like-minded peers, and add a great activity to their resume.
The 3MT contest consists of two parts — the semi-final and final competition held in person at Translational Science 2026 in Milwaukee, WI.
- Round One – Semi-Final: The first round of the competition takes place in Milwaukee, WI during Translational Science 2026. Category representatives are required to appear in person to present your three-minute presentation. The top presenters from each category then proceed to the final round.
- Round Two – Final: The second round of the competition occurs during Translational Science 2026 where the 3MT finalists from each category presents their three-minute presentation. One winner from each category — predoctoral trainee, postdoctoral trainee, and early career faulty scholar — are then selected.
Learn more about the competition rules.
Learn more about the judging criteria.
Apply Here