2026 Grad Slam Competition

Grad Slam at Cal State LA is a campus-wide competition that challenges graduate students to deliver a compelling research or creative presentation in three minutes or less. Participants submit a pre-recorded video presentation that is evaluated by a panel of judges on comprehension, content, engagement, and delivery.

Grad Slam encourages students to communicate their work to a non-specialist audience while highlighting the significance and impact of their research or creative activities. Submissions must be based on original work from a thesis, dissertation, graduate project, or other research-based endeavor. Students in MFA and other creative degree programs may focus on how their creative work contributes to broader conversations, offers new perspectives, or influences the exchange of ideas.

• Must be a currently enrolled master’s or doctoral students at Cal State LA during Spring 2026.
• Must be presenting on independent research or projects, including independent research projects done for a graduate-level class.
• May come from any discipline or field of study.
• Must present individually (i.e., group presentations are not permitted).

• Advance the visibility of your research.
• Practice delivering a professional presentation in your field.
• Add valuable experience to your CV or résumé.
• Represent Cal State LA

Top two winners from the Cal State LA Grad Slam may be selected to advance to the CSU-wide Grad Slam Competition, where they will represent the university at the system level.

CalStateLA Grad Slam Awards:

• First Place: 10 $25 Amazon gift cards (total value $250)
• Second Place: 6 $25 Amazon gift cards (total value $150)

• Submit one static slide (no animations, transitions, or embedded media) that visually supports your research presentation. The slide must be submitted as a PDF or PowerPoint file.
• In addition to the slide, submit a written abstract summarizing what you will present. The abstract should clearly communicate the key points of your research to a non-specialist audience. Please follow any specified word limit provided by the organizers.
• No video submissions are required.
• Only one slide/visual is permitted. The slide must remain static and may not include transitions, animations, or embedded audio/video files.
• No additional electronic media may be submitted. Use of any supporting materials (including props, if applicable) must be pre-approved by the Grad Slam Committee and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Each submission will be evaluated using a common Competition Scoring Rubric (see below).
• Applicants must submit original research, scholarly, or creative activity from their thesis, dissertation, graduate project, or other research-based projects.

Note: Submissions will be evaluated primarily on clarity of communication to a non-specialist audience, quality of content, and effectiveness of the slide.

If you have any questions about the submission guidelines, contact: [email protected]

Comprehension

• Language: Topic and significance communicated to non-specialist audience
• Organization: Followed a clear and logical sequence
• Clarity: Adequate background knowledge provided

Content

• Significance: Explained the impact of results

Engagement

• Visual: Well-designed, clear, legible, concise slide; emphasized major points; enhanced presentation
• Captivating:  Piqued intellectual curiosity

Oration

• Delivery:  Well-Paced, enthusiastic, confident, body language, and dynamic

Below are sample videos that interested participants may reference while creating their own presentation. You are welcome to record your video from home, and you are encouraged to record your video via Zoom or Canva and share a public facing URL in your submission.

Submissions for Grad Slam 2026 are now open! Please review the guidelines above for detailed submission requirements.

Email your submission materials to [email protected] no later than Monday, March 2nd, 2026.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 via email.