Applications Open for the 3-Minute Thesis Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 Competition
Students have three minutes to present their research and compete for a prize fund of 12,800 BAM
Bosnia and Herzegovina is once again bringing together young researchers from the country and the diaspora through the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 competition, a unique scientific communication format that gives students only three minutes to present the significance of their research to a non-specialist audience. The most successful participants will compete for a total prize fund of 12,800 BAM, supported by UniCredit Bank.
Since the initiative’s launch in 2020, the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Bosnia and Herzegovina competition has supported 95 young researchers, providing a total of 96,000 BAM in financial support for the development and promotion of their research ideas.
The importance of 3MT in the development of young researchers is confirmed by previous participants. Sanjin Halilhodžić, a student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tuzla, presented research on swarm detection in bees using machine learning algorithms and acoustic sensors.
"I decided to apply to the 3MT competition to assess my current communication skills and see how I can improve in conveying ideas. Every opportunity for growth is significant, but this one is special," says Halilhodžić.
The 3MT competition is open to doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate students, as well as high school students with origins in Bosnia and Herzegovina, giving them the opportunity to present their research projects in a clear, engaging, and understandable way to the wider public. This format aims to bring science closer to society and demonstrate how the research of young scientists can have a real impact on everyday life.
The primary goal of the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) initiative is to bring together talented high school students, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students with roots in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a single platform where they can collaborate, build a community of young researchers, and lay the groundwork for future cooperation. The competition also provides an opportunity to present significant research to the public, promote Bosnia and Herzegovina’s global research excellence, and connect future students with top researchers of Bosnian origin.
Tina Tadić from the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Sarajevo, previously presented her research at 3MT, discussing the potential of microalgae in developing new food sources.
"Participating in the 3MT competition was an extremely valuable experience for me. It helped me improve my presentation skills and realize how important it is to communicate scientific research clearly," says Tadić.
Participation in the 3MT competition gives students the chance to significantly enhance their presentation and communication skills, learn how to present complex research to a broader audience, and gain a new perspective on their own work. At the same time, the competition allows participants to build an international network with other researchers and develop key skills such as public speaking and clear communication, which are highly valued in both academic and professional environments.
Among the notable participants was Ajla Nurkanović from Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau in Germany, who presented research on sustainable optimization of investment portfolios.
"Explaining your research in three minutes in a way that people outside your field can understand is not easy, but when you succeed, the feeling is extraordinary. 3MT taught me how to clearly communicate my doctoral research, and this skill later helped me a lot at conferences and in professional work," emphasizes Nurkanović.
The 3MT competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to attract an increasing number of young researchers each year and serves as a platform connecting science, society, and future generations of students.
More information about the competition, criteria, and application process is available through the official channels of the BH Futures Foundation.