UCI Grad Slam 2027
Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars. This in-person competition not only highlights the excellence, importance and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it is also designed to increase graduate students’ communication skills and their capacity to effectively present their work with poise and confidence. It is an opportunity to share accomplishments with the campus, friends of UCI, the local community, and the broader public.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE KICK OFF
Join us for an evening designed to help you learn more about Grad Slam and begin preparing for the competition. The program will feature:
- Opening remarks from Graduate Dean Peter Biehl
- Remarks from Grad Slam program sponsor Jay Connor
- Insights from past Grad Slam participants, including their experiences, advice and lessons learned from the competition
- A special communications workshop led by Bri McWhorther of Activate to Captivate, featuring practical strategies for connecting with an audience, communicating complex ideas and presenting with confidence
Whether you already plan to compete or simply want to become a more effective communicator, the Grad Slam Kick Off, presented by the Connor Family is an opportunity to learn about the competition, meet members of the Grad Slam community and begin developing skills that can benefit you throughout your academic and professional career.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Register here.
SAVE THE DATES: GRAD SLAM WORKSHOPS AND PREP OPPORTUNITIES
The Kick Off is just the beginning. Throughout the fall, Graduate Division will offer a series of workshops, information sessions and training opportunities to help you develop your presentation and prepare for Grad Slam. See schedule below.
Why Apply?
Grad Slam contestants receive advanced communication skills training and a competitive CV/resume line. Additionally, winners receive cash prizes up to $11,000! The systemwide winner earns the coveted title of 2027 Grad Slam Champion and the coveted “Slammy”.
All competitors that advance to the UCI campus finals receive at least $500. The winner receives $6,500, second place claims $3,500 and third place takes home $2,500.
Who Should Apply?
Grad Slam Eligibility:
- All graduate students currently enrolled in UCI master’s or doctoral graduate
- In cases of collaborative research, the presenter’s contribution to the project must be salient and clearly specified
- Must be a full-time graduate student in Winter 2025 and Spring 2025
- Previous UCI winners are still eligible so long as they did NOT win the systemwide competition (systemwide winners are NOT eligible to participate again)
Grad Slam Rules:
- Slide rules
- 1 single, static slide (maximum, presentation do NOT need to use a slide)
- No animations
- No video
- No sound
- Time rules
- Time begins with the first engagement with audience and ends with student concludes talk with “Thank you”
- Competitors will have three minutes to pitch. At three minutes and three seconds, competitors will lose one point per second they go over.
Take a look below to see the winning performance from last year’s competition. The event is open to ALL graduate students!
Questions? Contact the Rrendon@uci.edu.
| 2027 In-Person Competition Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Open | Thursday, October 1, 2026 | ||
| Info Session & Prep Workshop with Bri McWhorter | 12:30–1:30 p.m. on October 7, 2026 | ||
| Info Session & Prep Workshop with Bri McWhorter | 12:30–1:30 p.m. on October 23, 2026 | ||
| Info Session & Prep Workshop with Bri McWhorter | 1:30–2:30 p.m. on November 4, 2026 | ||
| IPublic Speaking Bootcamp — Day 1 | 1:30–4 p.m. November 9, 2026 | ||
| IPublic Speaking Bootcamp — Day 2 | 1:30–4 p.m. on November 16, 2026 | ||
| Info Session & Prep Workshop with Bri McWhorter | 1–2 p.m. on December 1, 2026 | ||
| Grad Slam Last Chance Info Session | 3–4 p.m. on January 7, 2027 | ||
| Applications Close | 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, January 10, 2027 | ||
| In-Person Grad Slam UCI Semi-Finals | TBD | ||
| In-Person Grad Slam UCI Finals This is a ticketed event. | TBD | ||
| Grad Slam Systemwide Finals | TBD |