Three-Minute Thesis® Competition
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition – MAPCON 2026
Building on two successful editions, IEEE MAPCON 2026 proudly brings back the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition for its third consecutive year, celebrating the power of research, storytelling, and impactful communication, an exciting platform to communicate the significance of their research in microwave, antennas, and propagation to a broad audience.
Participants will have just three minutes and one static slide to present their research in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. The challenge lies in transforming complex technical concepts into a compelling story that captures the audience’s interest without compromising the essence of the research. MAPCON 2026 continues to encourage young researchers to communicate their innovations with confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm, highlighting the significance of their work and its potential impact on society.
What is the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition?
The 3MT® Competition is designed to test students’ ability to communicate their research effectively to people outside their area of specialization. Participants must explain the core idea, objectives, and relevance of their work in a concise and understandable way, using only one static slide and no additional props.
A panel of non-specialist judges will evaluate each presentation based on its clarity, audience engagement, and overall effectiveness in conveying the research message. Participants must adhere strictly to the three-minute time limit, as exceeding the allotted time will result in disqualification.
Turn Your Research into a Compelling Three-Minute Story
The Three Minute Thesis competition challenges students to go beyond technical details and communicate the core idea, significance, and real-world relevance of their research. Participants must transform complex concepts into a concise and engaging presentation that can be understood by people outside their area of specialization.
The competition provides an opportunity to develop essential research communication, public speaking, and presentation skills. By encouraging clarity, creativity, confidence, and audience engagement, 3MT® helps students communicate the value of their work beyond academic and technical communities.
Whether addressing an emerging microwave technology, an innovative antenna design, or a new development in electromagnetic propagation, participants are encouraged to demonstrate why their research matters and how it may contribute to future technological advancements.
Who Can Join the Audience?
The 3MT® Competition is open to all IEEE MAPCON 2026 attendees to attend and experience the innovative research being undertaken by students. The audience will have an opportunity to discover new ideas, appreciate their practical significance, and learn how research in microwave, antennas, and propagation contributes to modern technology.
Eligibility for Student Participants
The competition is open to eligible students whose papers have been accepted for presentation at IEEE MAPCON 2026, subject to the official competition guidelines.
Category 1
B.Tech., B.E., B.Sc., or equivalent students who are first authors of a paper accepted at IEEE MAPCON 2026.
Category 2
M.Tech. or equivalent students who are first authors of a paper accepted at IEEE MAPCON 2026.
Category 3
Ph.D. students who are first authors of a paper accepted at IEEE MAPCON 2026.
Participants must meet the eligibility criteria and follow the rules specified by the organizing committee.
Registration and Participation Process
The application procedure, registration requirements, and submission deadlines for the 3MT® Competition are as follows:
Step 1: Prepare Your Presentation before applying, keep ready:
- A research presentation video of a maximum of 3 minutes (Size - less than 100 MB).
- A single static PPT slide (no animations or additional slides).
- MAPCON 2026 Paper ID of your accepted oral paper.
Step 2: Complete the Google Form:
Fill in the application form with the required details and submit your presentation materials.
Application Form:
Submission deadline: 31st October 2026.
Step 3: Confirmation:
Eligible applicants will receive further communication regarding selection and competition arrangements from the MAPCON 2026 organizing committee.
What the Competition Seeks to Achieve
The IEEE MAPCON 2026 3MT® Competition aims to:
Make Research Accessible:
Encourage students to explain advanced technical concepts in language that a non-specialist audience can understand.
Showcase Innovation:
Highlight the significance of research in microwave engineering, antennas, and propagation.
Connect Research with Real-World Applications:
Demonstrate how emerging technologies influence communication systems, connected devices, and future engineering solutions.
Strengthen Communication Skills:
Develop students' confidence, storytelling ability and concise presentation techniques.
Inspire Future Researchers:
Spark curiosity about microwave and related technologies among students, professionals, and the wider community.
Through this initiative, MAPCON 2026 seeks to celebrate not only technical excellence but also the ability to communicate research ideas effectively and inspire others.
Recognition and Awards
- The competition is planned to recognize the top performers in each of the three student categories based on the evaluation of the judging panel, subject to confirmation by the organizing committee.
- Final award details and arrangements will be announced by the organizers.
Every 3MT Competition participant will receive the participation certificate.