We are pleased to announce the following open call for applications from Hiroshima University.

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This is an announcement of the MIRAI Three Minutes Competition, an event that all post-doctoral students in Japan can apply for. Hiroshima University holds the MIRAI Three Minutes Competition every year. This year, it will be held on Saturday, November 21. The Winner will receive a certificate, a ¥300,000 scholarship.

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Post-doctoral students enrolled in universities in Japan

The MIRAI Three Minutes Competition is an exciting opportunity for Doctoral students to effectively explain their research within a limited time-span of three minutes with one presentation slide, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience．


Since our first event was held on November 1, 2015, this competition has been organized annually, with the inclusion of online editions, through the cooperation of national, public, and private universities across western Japan, primarily in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, as well as many companies and public institutions.
Until the 11th event in 2025 “HIRAKU Three Minutes Competition”, this competition had been held as part of the initiatives of the consortium program,  “Home for Innovative Researchers and Academic Knowledge Users (HIRAKU)” . Starting with this 12th event in 2026, this competition will be supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s　 “Future-Leading and Advanced Graduate-schools (FLAGs)”  and  “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING).” 
This Competition has been held annually since 2015, with this year being the 12th edition of the Competition.

◆ Date and time　(Final Stage)
Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm

◆ Venue　(Final Stage)
HIROSHIMA Convention Hall – 2F MAIN HALL (Hiroshima City)

◆ Eligibility
Students enrolled in doctoral programs (including 4-year doctoral programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or veterinary science, or integrated doctoral programs in their third year or above), from any research field, at any university in Japan as of November 21, 2026, and who have not yet graduated by that date.
※ Excluding students enrolled in master’s programs and/or professional degree programs.

◆ Special Notes
Finalists coming from outside Hiroshima Prefecture will be provided with travel expenses in accordance with Hiroshima University regulations.

◆ Competition Entry
Deadline for Competition Entry: July 15 (Wed.), 2026 5:00 pm (JST)

◆ Related Videos & Links
>> HIRAKU 3MT Competition 2025 – Report
>> HIRAKU 3MT Competition 2024 – Report
>> HIRAKU 3MT Competition 2023 – Report
>> HIRAKU 3MT Videos of the Former Winners
>> Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) – APAC 3MT Finalists from previous years

◆ Prizes
Winner: The Winner of each division will receive a certificate and a ¥300,000 scholarship
Runner-Up: The Runner-Up of each division will receive a certificate and a ¥150,000 scholarship
People’s Choice: The People’s Choice (to be decided by the Audience Polls) of each division will receive a certificate and a ¥80,000 scholarship

◆ Inquiries/Contacts
MIRAI Three Minutes Competition 2026 Operating Office Office
TEL：082-424-6213
E-mail：info@3mt.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

We are looking forward to your entry!! 　 Thank you.