ECR 3-minute thesis competition

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  OPENING SOON

The HUPO Early Career Researcher (ECR) Committee in collaboration with the Human Proteome Project (HPP) is organizing the third edition of its 3-minute thesis competition, where candidates will present their research within 3 minutes using one static slide and in a form that can be understood by a general lay audience. Up to 12 candidates will be pre-selected for the final competition based on a submitted lay abstract. The competition will be held in a dedicated parallel session at HUPO 2026 in Singapore and you are invited to participate. An expert committee will evaluate the presentations to determine the winner and two runners up. This competition is kindly sponsored by Mass Dynamics. The winner will receive a cash prize of USD 500 and two runner ups will each take home USD 300. You won’t want to miss this action!

 

Eligibility Criteria:

·       Open to Ph.D. students who have not defended at the time of application.

·       Applicants must be HUPO members.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a lay abstract through the HUPO 2026 abstract submission portal without scientific jargons that describes their research for a general, non-expert audience. Abstract text should not exceed 300 words (Abstract topic: 3-Minute Thesis Competition).

Abstracts that are not written for a lay audience and are the same or very similar to abstracts submitted for talks or posters at HUPO 2026 will be automatically disqualified for the competition.

Application Deadline: 27th April 2026

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected as finalists based on effective communication of their research topic in the lay abstract and the novelty and potential impact of their work. Importantly, the lay abstract should be written in the way that a non-expert understands the topic and impact of the research. The selected finalists will be notified by early July [HC(oC3] and will be asked to provide a short biosketch and headshot picture within five business days of receiving their notifications. Selected candidates are required to also submit an abstract for oral or poster presentation for HUPO 2026. The live presentations will be judged on the same criteria by a panel of judges in the dedicated parallel session at HUPO 2026.

Prize:  Awards will be presented during the Closing Ceremony & Awards Session at HUPO 2026. Cash prizes (USD 500 to winner and USD 300 each to two runners-up) will be provided post-congress.