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.

• Submit a 3-minute (or shorter) video link communicating key details about one's research to a non-specialist audience (exceeding 3 minutes will incur a penalty by the judges).
• Only a single slide/visual is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions or animations).
• Use any video recording platform to create and record your video, and then submit the public facing URL so judges can view without logging-in/creating an account. Recommended platforms include Zoom, YouTube, and Vimeo. Check out the Zoom Support page to navigate recording settings.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound or video files) may be submitted separately from the video recording. Use of any supporting materials must be pre-approved from the Grad Slam Committee (including use of any props) and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Each presentation will be judged using a common Competition Scoring Rubric (see below).
• Applicants must submit original research, scholarly, or creative activity from their thesis, dissertation, graduate project, or any other research-based projects.

Note: Presenters will not be judged on video/ recording quality, editing capabilities, or production quality of their video. Instead, judging will focus primarily on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and the PowerPoint slide (see Competition Scoring Rubric).

If you have any questions about the pre-recorded video 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! See the accordion item above entitled "3-Minute Presentation Guidelines" for more information.

The deadline to submit an application/proposal will be Monday, March 2nd, 2026.

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