Üç Dakikada Tez 2026

Fall Semester

What is Üç Dakikada Tez?

Üç Dakikada Tez (Thesis in Three Minutes) is a presentation competition in which doctoral students explain their research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, using a single slide. The competition aims to develop students' academic communication and presentation skills and their ability to convey their research in plain language.

Launched in English at İTÜ Graduate School in 2025 and 2026 and based on the internationally recognized three-minute presentation format, our competition enables our graduate students to communicate their research in a short, effective and accessible way. In response to the interest it has attracted and the momentum it has gained, the event is now being taken to a new level within our Graduate School.

Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, we have decided to fully integrate this presentation format into the Graduate School calendar and hold it twice a year. From now on, the competition will take place every Fall and Spring semester and will continue as a lasting Graduate School tradition in which our graduate students showcase their science communication skills.

Are you ready for the challenge? Review the eligibility requirements and rules below and submit your application before the deadline.

Prizes

The People's Choice award is decided by the votes the audience in the hall casts via QR code on competition day. If the contestant selected by the jury as winner or runner-up also ranks first in the audience vote, the People's Choice award goes to the next contestant in the audience ranking.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: 7 December 2026, 17:00
• Preliminary evaluation (if needed): 8-9 December 2026
• Finalists notified by e-mail: 9 December 2026
• Finalist information meeting (Zoom): 10 December 2026
• Competition: 14 December 2026

How to Apply

Simply fill in the application form with your personal details and your thesis name. Completing your application takes less than three minutes, too!

Presentations in this competition will be given in Turkish.

Eligibility

Applicants must be active doctoral students at İTÜ Graduate School as of the competition date, must have successfully passed their thesis proposal defense, and must not have previously won an award in the 3 Minute Thesis competition.

Preliminary Evaluation

If the number of applications is high, a preliminary evaluation will be held to select the finalists. The method and schedule of the preliminary evaluation will be sent to applicants by e-mail.

Finalist Information Meeting

Once the finalists are selected, an online (Zoom) information meeting will be held to explain the competition rules, the judging process and the schedule of the competition day in detail. The meeting will also cover slide submission, the stage setup and how time is kept, and finalists' questions will be answered. The meeting date and link will be sent to finalists by e-mail; all finalists are strongly encouraged to attend.

Rules

The time limit is strict: presentations are limited to 3 minutes. Timing starts as soon as the contestant begins the presentation through speech or movement. The presentation must end when 3 minutes are up; contestants who continue after the time is up will be disqualified.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or moving elements are allowed. The slide must be on screen from the start of the presentation.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound or video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations must be spoken word; presentations in the form of poems, raps or songs are not accepted.
• Presentations must be delivered from the stage.
• Presentations must be given in Turkish.
• The decision of the jury is final.

Judging Criteria

At every stage of the competition, contestants are judged on the criteria below.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance of the research question, avoiding jargon and explaining terminology?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, the significance of the research, and its results and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the contestant spend adequate time on each element of the presentation, or did they elaborate too long on one aspect or rush?

Engagement and Communication

• Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
• Was the contestant careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the contestant convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the contestant capture and maintain the audience's attention?
• Did the contestant show stage presence, eye contact, vocal range, a steady pace and a confident stance?
• Did the slide enhance the presentation? Was it clear, legible and concise?

Live Stream and Past Competitions

Üç Dakikada Tez 2026 will be streamed live. The stream link will be shared on competition day on our social media account @itulisansustu. You can watch the recordings of the previous competitions held at our Graduate School below.

3MT 2025 (YouTube) 3MT 2026 (YouTube)

Additional Resources

• How to win 3MT
• How to talk about your thesis in 3 minutes

Contact

For all your questions, please e-mail us at lee-3mt@itu.edu.tr.