2026 Grad Slam Application

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 2026 Grad Slam Champion and the coveted “Slammy”. Click the yellow button above to apply, the deadline is January 11, 2026!

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 Raslyn Rendon for more details!