About the competition

Grad Slam is an annual contest to communicate research. It aims to make research accessible by providing emerging scientists and scholars with the skills to engage the public in their work.

Participants are judged on how well they engage the audience, how clearly they communicate key concepts and how effectively they focus and present their ideas — all in three minutes or less.

Each of UC’s 10 campuses holds local Grad Slam contests; the first-place winners of each of those will square off April 22, 2026 for the systemwide title and cash prize.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges representing industry, media, government and higher education. Viewers will also get a chance to vote for their favorite; the winner will receive the audience choice award.

The 2026 contest will be at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento, California.