Student Pitch Competition

Student Pitches

The Office for URaCE and the UTC Graduate School will host the second annual student research pitch competitions on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in the UTC University Center. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

WHERE: UTC University Center Auditorium

Important Dates

View 2025 Undergraduate Student Research Pitches

View 2025 Graduate Student Three Minute Thesis Pitches

Fall 2026 Student Research Pitch Competition Program

UTC University Center Auditorium

Undergraduate Student Research Pitch Competition

WHERE: UTC University Center

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Competition runs from 12:25-2:15 pm, with competitor check-in starting at noon.

Pitch Competition Prizes

The Office for URaCE is grateful to interim VCR, Dr. Mina Sartipi, for funding the undergraduate competitor prizes. 

Prize winners must submit a project proposal (with budget details) to the Office for URaCE before funds are distributed.

First Place: $750.00

Second Place: $500.00

Third Place: $250.00

Purpose

Students who participate in the competition will "pitch" a new research/creative works idea OR get support for an ongoing research/creative project. The pitch competition provides a valuable opportunity to practice key communication skills and tell a compelling research story. In contrast to the traditional "elevator pitch," the "research pitch" focuses on the research project versus your personal story.

Pitch Details

• Student competitors will present a brief but compelling "story" of how a new or existing research/creative project has value and contributes to the knowledge base. The pitch must be accessible to a general audience (avoiding complex jargon), and focus on the aims of the research, projected outcomes, and contribution to the discipline. The pitch competition will be judged by a panel of UTC Faculty and other experts. Students preparing for graduate school and/or the workforce are strongly encouraged to participate! Space is limited, so submit your pitch registration early.
• The Undergraduate Student Research Pitch Competition is scheduled from 12:25-2:15 pm on October 21, 2026. Before you register to compete in this event, make certain that you are available to attend this event from 12:00-2:15 pm (this time range includes check-in and event times).

Pitch Competition Eligibility

Competitors must...

• Be working under the supervision of a UTC faculty mentor/advisor.
• Be currently enrolled, degree-seeking UTC undergraduate students in good academic and judicial standing at the time the competition submission form is submitted and on competition day.
• Be enrolled in classes during the Fall 2026 semester.
• Have an active UTC email address and UTC student ID.
• Submit the pitch registration form by the submission deadline.
• Be selected to participate in the pitch competition. Selected participants will receive an official pitch competition confirmation e-mail and pitch presentation time from the event coordinators.

Pitch Details and Guidelines

• Pitches must be presented in person.
• Each competitor will have 3 minutes to pitch a new or ongoing project. Pitches will run no more than 3 minutes in duration and will be timed.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. Competitors will share their slide with event coordinators prior to the competition.
• Competitors must check in between 12:00-12:25 pm. Competitors arriving late will not be permitted to compete.
• The competition will be judged by a panel of UTC Faculty and other experts. The judging criteria and rubric will be shared with students prior to the competition.
• Pitch competition winners will be announced immediately following the competition.
• Pitches will be filmed and photographed. Competition video coverage will be shared on the UTC and Office for URaCE websites.
• Prize winners must submit a project proposal (with budget details) to the Office for URaCE before funds are distributed.

Competition Rules

Note: The information below is excerpted from the official 3M Thesis Competition website.

• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs)
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or movement are permitted, and the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

At every level of the competition, competitors will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on the audience.

Comprehension and Content

• Presentation provided clear motivation, background, and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research

Engagement and Communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention

Register to Participate

Before you register to participate, you should thoroughly review the 3M Thesis Competition website for full competition details.

View 3M Thesis examples.

Register for the Undergraduate Research Pitch Competition

Graduate Student Three Minute Thesis Pitch Competition

WHERE: UTC University Center

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Competition runs from 10:15 am to 12:50 pm, with competitor check-in starting at 9:45 am.

Pitch Competition Prizes

The Office for URaCE is grateful to interim VCR, Dr. Mina Sartipi, for funding the undergraduate competitor prizes. 

Prize winners must submit a project proposal (with budget details) to the Office for URaCE before funds are distributed.

First Place: $750.00

Second Place: $500.00

Third Place: $250.00

Purpose

Students who participate in the competition will "pitch" a new research/creative works idea OR get support for an ongoing research/creative project. The pitch competition provides a valuable opportunity to practice key communication skills and tell a compelling research story. In contrast to the traditional "elevator pitch," the "research pitch" focuses on the research project versus your personal story.

Pitch Details

• Student competitors will present a brief but compelling "story" of how a new or existing research/creative project has value and contributes to the knowledge base. The pitch must be accessible to a general audience (avoiding complex jargon), and focus on the aims of the research, projected outcomes, and contribution to the discipline. The pitch competition will be judged by a panel of UTC Faculty and other experts. Students preparing for graduate school and/or the workforce are strongly encouraged to participate! Space is limited, so submit your pitch registration early.
• The Graduate Student 3M Thesis Pitch Competition is scheduled from 10:15 am-12:50 pm on October 21, 2026. Before you register to compete in this event, make certain that you are available to attend this event from 9:45 am-12:50 pm (this time range includes check-in and event times).

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition will follow the official 3MT Guidelines. Presentations will be evaluated by a panel of UTC faculty judges and other experts.

From the 3M Thesis website: Developed by the University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students' academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Pitch Competition Eligibility

Competitors must...

• Be working under the supervision of a UTC faculty mentor/advisor.
• Be currently enrolled, degree-seeking UTC graduate students in good academic and judicial standing at the time the competition submission form is submitted and on competition day.
• Be enrolled in classes during the Fall 2026 semester.
• Have an active UTC email address and UTC student ID.
• Submit the pitch registration form by the submission deadline.
• Be selected to participate in the pitch competition. Selected participants will receive an official pitch competition confirmation e-mail and pitch presentation time from the event coordinators.

Pitch Details and Guidelines

• Pitches must be presented in person.
• Each competitor will have 3 minutes to pitch a new or ongoing project. Pitches will run no more than 3 minutes in duration and will be timed.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. Competitors will share their slide with event coordinators prior to the competition.
• Competitors must check in between 9:45-10:15 am. Competitors arriving late will not be permitted to compete.
• The competition will be judged by a panel of UTC Faculty and other experts. The judging criteria and rubric will be shared with students prior to the competition.
• Pitch competition winners will be announced immediately following the competition.
• Pitches will be filmed and photographed. Competition video coverage will be shared on the UTC and Office for URaCE websites.
• Prize winners must submit a project proposal (with budget details) to the Office for URaCE before funds are distributed.

Competition Rules

Note: The information below is excerpted from the official 3M Thesis Competition website.

• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs)
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or movement are permitted, and the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

At every level of the competition, competitors will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on the audience.

Comprehension and Content

• Presentation provided clear motivation, background, and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research

Engagement and Communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention

Register to Participate

Before you register to participate, you should thoroughly review the 3M Thesis Competition website for full competition details.

View 3M Thesis examples.

Register for the Graduate Student Three Minute Thesis Pitch Competition