Celebrating Research Excellence at the 3 Minute Thesis Award Ceremony 2026
The Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation proudly hosted the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Award Ceremony 2026, celebrating talented young researchers and students who demonstrated the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, confidently, and in just three minutes.
This year’s 3MT competition was proudly powered by UniCredit Bank, whose support helped create a platform for young researchers from Bosnia & Herzegovina and abroad to showcase their knowledge, ideas, and communication skills.
The 2026 edition of the competition brought together:
23 participants from different academic levels and institutions
71% women participants, highlighting the strong representation of women in research and academia
54 judges from various professional and academic backgrounds
Between 11 and 17 evaluations per candidate, ensuring a fair and comprehensive review process
More than 94,000 impressions and 28,000 views across digital platforms
The 3MT competition brought together outstanding participants from Bosnia & Herzegovina and abroad, highlighting the creativity, innovation, and academic excellence of students across multiple educational levels.
Designed to empower High School, Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students, the competition challenged participants to present their research to a non specialist audience in a way that is engaging, accessible, and impactful.
Participants competed for a share of 12,800 BAM in prize money, while also gaining valuable experience in public speaking, research communication, and academic presentation.
High School Category
1st place: Ines Ajnum
Average Grade: 4.76; awarded with 400 BAM
School: “Richmond Park International Secondary School”, Sarajevo
Undergraduate Category
1st Place: Mahir Salihbašić
Average Grade: 4.48; awarded with 1.500 BAM
University: University of Tuzla, Faculty of Science
2nd Place: Muhamed Matar
Average Grade: 4.41; awarded with 1.000 BAM
University: International University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
3rd Place: Renato Jonjić
Average Grade: 4.40; awarded with 500 BAM
University: University of Zenica, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Master’s Category
1st Place: Amina Agić
Average Grade: 4.54; awarded with 1.500 BAM
University: University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Science
2nd Place: Nihad Šurković
Average Grade: 4.40; awarded with 1.000 BAM
University: University of Sarajevo, School of Economics and Business
3rd Place: Amina Hadžiemrić
Average Grade: 4.12; awarded with 500 BAM
University: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Faculty of Biology
PhD Category
1st Place: Jelena Marković
Average Grade: 4.47; awarded with 3.000 BAM
University: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Dental Medicine
2nd Place: Irma Ibrišimović
Average Grade: 4.29; awarded with 2.000 BAM
University: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences
3rd Place: Kristina Draganić
Average Grade: 4.28; awarded with 1.000 BAM
University: Medical University of Vienna
Mahir Salihbašić
Received an impressive 1518 likes from the audience at our official YouTube channel - awarded with 400 BAM
Hidden Life of Museum Objects: Science, Conservation, and the Power of Dialogue
The keynote lecture, delivered by Ida, explored the fascinating interdisciplinary world where science meets art preservation.
From research on The Night Watch to real conservation treatments, attendees gained insight into what happens behind the scenes of museum conservation and how scientific discoveries are transformed into practical conservation decisions.
The session also highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration between researchers and conservators in protecting cultural heritage and bringing museum objects back to life.
The webinar served as a valuable addition to the 3MT experience, showcasing how research, dialogue, and innovation can create meaningful impact across different fields.
Building the Future of Research Communication
The 3 Minute Thesis competition is more than an academic challenge. It is a platform that encourages young people to think critically, communicate effectively, and share ideas that can inspire change within society and the scientific community.
Whether participants were presenting thesis research, course projects, or independent initiatives, they demonstrated the importance of making research understandable and relevant to wider audiences.
We are proud to support the next generation of researchers, innovators, and leaders from Bosnia & Herzegovina and beyond.
Congratulations to all participants, finalists, and winners for their hard work, dedication, and inspiring presentations.
Prior to the award ceremony, participants and attendees also had the opportunity to join a special keynote webinar titled: