Wildcat Research Day

Join Us

The College of Graduate Studies and Research invites you to participate in the first-ever Wildcat Research Day (previously Winter Research Day) on November 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. held in Mead Auditorium in the Glenn T. Seaborg Center, 2701 TSB. Registration is open!

REGISTER NOW

Events Include:

Three Minute Presentations (3MP – Undergraduate): 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT® – Graduate): 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Fellowship and Scholarship Workshop: 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Scholarly Buzz Session (Faculty): 1:30–3:00 p.m.

Prize Amounts:

3MP: 1st $450 | Runner-up $300 | People’s Choice $150
3MT®: 1st $750 + MAGS trip | Runner-up $450 | People’s Choice $150

Modeled after 3MT, this undergraduate competition is open to all majors and disciplines. Students present their research, creative, or scholarly work in three minutes using one static slide, emphasizing clarity, creativity, and audience engagement. Winners receive cash prizes and campus recognition.

Part of an international competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008. Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) challenges graduate students to clearly explain their research in just three minutes using one static PowerPoint slide. The goal is to communicate complex ideas in an engaging way that is accessible to a non-specialist audience. Winners receive prizes, campus recognition, and the opportunity to advance to the regional competition.

The Scholarly Buzz Sessions at NMU are a platform for faculty and staff to quickly present their research in three slides and five minutes. The event also provides a brief overview of the Office of Sponsored Programs and the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Everyone is welcome to attend this interdisciplinary research event held at least biannually in the Fall semester and again in the Winter semester. The event is designed to allow attendees, including the presenters, to come and go as teaching and class schedules allow.

Thank you for registering for the event! Please review the information below to best prepare.

Three Minute Presentation Workshop
All students are encouraged to attend the Three Minute Presentation Workshop on October 29, from 10-11 AM in 315 Harden Hall. Participation in this workshop is not required to compete in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) or Three Minute Presentation (3MP); however, it is highly encouraged.

If you are unable to attend in person, you may join via Zoom using the link:

Topic: 3MT Workshop

Time: Oct 29, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://nmu.zoom.us/j/93630672798?pwd=qbyPL3EbTezVi8ma8qRaEI5iksoWeF.1

Meeting ID: 936 3067 2798

Passcode: 019782

Slide Submission for 3MT® and 3MP Participants
If you are presenting in 3MT® or 3MP, please submit your slide no later than Thursday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m.

When submitting your slide:

Include Last Name, First Name, and Event (3MT® or 3MP) in the slide title
Slides are limited to one per person
Email your slide to graduate@nmu.edu

3MT® and 3MP Rules

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted
(no transitions, animations, or movement of any kind; the slide must be presented from the beginning of the oration)
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 are limited to 3 minutes maximum; exceeding this time results in disqualification
Presentations must be spoken word only (no poems, raps, or songs)
Presentations must commence from the stage
A presentation is considered to have commenced when the presenter begins movement or speech
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final

Winners will be announced at the conclusion of each event.

Practice Opportunities for 3MT® and 3MP
Students participating in 3MT® or 3MP will have the opportunity to practice their presentations on November 16. A sign-up for practice time slots will be sent out after registration closes on November 9.

Day-of Arrival Information

Students participating in 3MP should arrive at Mead Auditorium no later than 8:30 a.m..
Students participating in 3MT® are asked to arrive at Mead Auditorium at 10:15 a.m. to ensure all participants receive lineup information and details regarding the flow of the event.

Lunch Information
Lunch will be provided to all participants from 12:00–1:30 p.m. In the Design Lab located in the Glenn T. Seaborg Center, TSB 2702

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out by calling the Graduate Studies Office at 906-227-2300 or emailing graduate@nmu.edu. We look forward to your participation in Wildcat Research Day!

Fellowship and Scholarship Workshop

Learn about programs that will pay for you to study, research, or teach abroad. And enjoy a free lunch! This workshop will provide an orientation to students interested in national fellowships or scholarships that support students studying, researching, or teaching English abroad. In this workshop, participants will examine several overseas programs; they will also participate in a short mock review of application essays. Registration opens Nov. 3rd.

This workshop is very much Hands-On, so BRING YOUR LAPTOP:
Part 1: You will be provided with a choice of programs and guided through a basic program website review. As part of a group, you will present your findings.
Part 2: You will be provided a rubric to evaluate application essays; in a group, you will evaluate a couple of short applications.
Lunch is provided to participants who register and served in the Design Lab in the Glenn T. Seaborg Center, TSB 2702
The Workshop will be held in 3617 TSB