GradPitch
Your Research. Your Pitch. Your Impact.
The GradPitch Competition challenges graduate students to present their research in just three minutes. Participants can compete in the general GradPitch category or the Three Minute Thesis
() category. This event highlights innovative research while helping students build
essential skills in academic writing, presentation design, and public speaking. Through
a series of interactive workshops, competitors will learn how to craft a compelling
script, create an effective slide, and deliver a confident presentation — all leading
up to the final GradPitch competition on .
Sign Up Deadline: February 9, 2026
Expectations & Eligibility
General Eligibility
- Be enrolled in a graduate program at AU through end of spring semester
- Present original research completed as an AU graduate student in your current program (does not need to be part of a thesis or dissertation)
- Attend all scheduled workshops and competition events
3MT Eligibility
- Meet all general eligibility requirements
- Be enrolled in a PhD or professional doctorate research program
- Have successfully passed comprehensive exams prior to the first workshop
- Present original research that will culminate in a doctoral dissertation
- Have not previously won first place in a 3MT competition
2026 Workshop Schedule
To compete, students must attend all three interactive workshops.
From Ideas to Impact: GradPitch Script Development
February 10, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Building a Great GradPitch Slide
February 24, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Presentation Skills for Success: The Art of Delivery
March 10, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: CJ 2340 (Pavilion III)
GradPitch Executive Committee
2025 3MT Competition Winners
Richard Kontoh-Twumasi
- 1st Place Winner - Dry Eye Disease: A Salty Problem with a Sweet Solution
Elisabeth Mellott
- 2nd Place Winner - Tired and Overworked: Mitochondria in Preeclampsia
Richard Kontoh-Twumasi
- People's Choice Winner - Dry Eye Disease: A Salty Problem with a Sweet Solution