Sign up by Oct. 11
Complete the brief registration form to let us know you plan to participate.
K-State 3MT Online Competition
This year, we are piloting an Online Division Competition in order to expand the 3MT experience to graduate students enrolled in online degree programs or programs located at the Olathe or Salina campuses.
Who may participate in the Online Division?
K-State graduate students enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester in a master’s or doctoral program that is designated as an online program or is based at the K-State Olathe or Salina campuses may participate.
Graduate students enrolled in Manhattan campus-based programs are not eligible to participate in the Online Division.
Interested in the on-campus competition?
If you are enrolled in an online program or are located at the Olathe or Salina campus and have the ability to participate in the on-campus competition, we encourage you to do so. In that case, please refer to the on-campus competition requirements and details.
- The 3MT presentation must cover original research conducted as part of your K-State graduate degree program (a formal thesis or dissertation is not required)
- You are not required to be at a certain stage of your research but will be more competitive if you have at least some findings to share.
- Present a compelling oration of your original research topic and its significance using language appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs)
- Competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified
- For the online division competition, recorded presentations must be a continuous recording of a presentation of 3 minutes or less. Videos that consist of separate clips edited together are not permitted.
- Only a single static slide that represents the purpose and importance of your original research is allowed; no slide transitions, animations, or 'movement' of any type are allowed; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration
- Props, sounds, and other materials may NOT be included in the presentation
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech
- The decision of the judging panel is final
Dates and deadlines
These are important dates to be familiar with if you plan to participate in the 3MT Online Division Competition.
Submit your video by Oct. 27
Specific instructions for creating and submitting a video are forthcoming.
Judging and showcase – Oct. 28
Participant video presentations will be featured at the first-round of the on-campus competition on Oct. 28. Presentations will be judged asynchronously, Oct. 28-30.
Awards
Scholarships will be awarded for 1st place ($250) and 2nd place ($125) presentations. The video of the Online Division winning presentation will be featured at K-State’s final competition on January 27, 2027.
Online Division participants are not eligible for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT competition. Because the MAGS competition is held in an in-person format, K-State graduate students must compete in the same environment (in-person) at the university competition in order to be selected for the regional competition.
Judging criteria
Comprehension and Content
Engagement and Communication