2026 Three Minute Public Health Project Pitch
Competition Overview
Are you an MSPGH Masters or Honours student working on a project that matters to public health?
The Three Minute Public Health Project Pitch is a fast-paced competition where MSPGH Masters and Honours students pitch their project, idea and impact in just three minutes.
Run in a similar format to the MSPGH Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Heat for graduate researchers, this competition welcomes MSPGH coursework student ideas at all stages, from early concepts and works in progress to completed projects spanning research to real-world practice.
You’ll be challenged to turn your project into a clear, impactful three-minute pitch for a non-specialist audience. It's a fantastic way to develop research communication skills, confidence in public speaking and form connections with other members of the MSPGH community.
Students are shortlisted through 3-minute video submissions, with finalists to compete at the Public Health Project Pitch Final on Tuesday 30 June 2026. Top scorers at the final have the opportunity to present to a broad audience of peers, academics and industry guests at the inaugural whole of MSPGH event on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must meet the following two eligibility requirements:
- A currently enrolled student in one of the following courses taught in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health:
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Biostatistics
- Master of Biostatistics (Enhanced)
- Master of Nursing Practice/Master of Public Health
- Master of Science (Epidemiology)
- Honours in Population and Global Health
- Available to present in person at the Public Health Project Pitch Final on 30 June (if shortlisted) and at the MSPGH whole of school event on Wednesday 22 July (if a top scorer)
Important notes:
- Please only apply if you are able to attend the live in person final and whole of school events. Late withdrawals impact the event program and finalist selection process.
Public Health Project Pitch Guidelines
Your Public Health Project Pitch can be related to:
- Your capstone project
- Your Honours theses
- Another MSPGH Public Health project you are working on.
In your 3-minute pitch, aim to answer:
- The Problem and Your Approach
What issue are you addressing and why is it important in public health? What methods, setting or approach are you using? - The Insight
What are the key findings, insights, or expected outcomes? or for early-stage projects, what do you expect to uncover? - The Impact
Why does this matter? What could change because of this work? Who benefits? One clear message you want the audience to remember...
Important notes:
- You do not need to have completed your project
- Tailor your pitch to your stage and project type
- A strong pitch prioritises clarity, insight and impact over technical detail
- This competition is all about communication and "the pitch" rather than than an academic report.
- The judging will focus on how well ideas are communicated and presented with a non-specialist audience in mind.
Public Health Project Pitch Rules
The following rules apply to both the video submission and the live final.
- Participants must present their own work
- Participants must acknowledge collaborators where appropriate
- Participants must ensure content is appropriate for a public audience
- Participants must adhere to strict 3-minute time limit
- Participants are allowed one static PowerPoint slide in the background. If you choose to use a slide it should:
- Support your message, not duplicate your speech
- Be simple and visual (minimal text)
- Highlight key idea, data point, or concept
- Participants must not use animations, props, or additional media
- Participants should speak to a general audience (avoid jargon)
- Participants should not read from a script (brief notes allowed)
- Participants should be aware that students shortlisted will need to be available to present their 3 minute pitch in person on Tuesday 30 June 2026 and again on Wednesday 22 July 2026 (if a top scorer)
How it works
There are three stages in the competition:
- Video Submission (3-minute presentation)
Applicants submit a recorded 3-minute presentation by Sunday 31 May 2026 (see video submission requirements below) - MSPGH Public Health Project Pitch Final
Shortlisted applicants from the video submission stage deliver the same 3-minute presentation in person at the MSPGH Public Health Project Pitch Final on Tuesday 30 June 2026. - MSPGH Whole of School Event
Top scorers at the MSPGH Project Pitch Final will present their 3-min project pitch at the whole of School event on Wednesday 22 July 2026. Details to follow!
Video submission requirements
Video requirements are as follows:
- Maximum 3 minutes (strict time limit)
- Recorded in a single take (no editing)
- Presenter must be visible
- One static slide permitted (optional). If you choose to use a slide it should:
- Support your message, not duplicate your speech
- Be simple and visual (minimal text)
- Highlight key idea, data point, or concept
- No animations, props, or additional media
- Suitable for a non-specialist audience
- Uploaded to a personal YouTube account and ensure it is set to Unlisted or Private
Why get involved?
- Strengthen your communication and presentation skills
- Showcase your public health work to a wider audience at MSPGH
- Access communication workshops
- Gain recognition and awards including the opportunity to pitch your project at the inaugural whole of School event on 22 July 2026
- Build your network and form connections with peers
- It's going to be fun!
How to apply
MSPGH students should take the following actions to apply:
- Carefully review the Public Health Project Pitch guidelines on this page
- Record your video following the guidelines listed on this page
- Upload your video to your personal YouTube account and ensure it is set to Unlisted or Private
- Complete the Video Submission form (including the link to your YouTube Public Health Project Pitch video) by Sunday 31 May 2026
Submit your Public Health Project Pitch
Key Dates
Monday 27 April 2026 | 11:59pm | Public Health Project Pitch video submissions - Applications Open | Online |
Sunday 31 May 2026 | 11:59pm | Public Health Project Pitch video submissions - Applications close | Online |
Tuesday 9 June 2026 | by 5pm | Public Health Project Pitch finalists notified | Via Email |
Monday 15 June 2026 | 12pm-1:30pm | Presentation skills workshop with A/Prof Jen Martin | In-person - Room B118, MSPGH Basement, 207 Bouverie Street |
Thursday 25 June 2026 | By 5pm | PowerPoint slide due ahead of live event (if applicable) | Via Email |
Tuesday 30 June 2026 | TBC | Public Health Project Pitch Final | In-person - Lecture Theatre 1, MSPGH Basement, 207 Bouverie Street |
Tuesday 14 July 2026 | 12pm-1pm | Presentation skills workshop | In-person - Room B118, MSPGH Basement, 207 Bouverie Street |
Wednesday 22 July 2026 | TBC | Whole of School event - further details to follow | In-person - B117, Melbourne School of Design |
Prizes & Recognition
All finalists will receive a certificate of recognition, professional photography, and the opportunity to pitch their project at the inaugural whole of School event on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
The following prizes will be awarded on the day:
- 1st Place: $150 voucher and Certificate of Award
- 2nd Place: $100 voucher and Certificate of Award
- 3rd Place: $100 voucher and Certificate of Award
- People’s Choice Award: $100 voucher and Certificate of Award
Winners will be featured on the MSPGH LinkedIn page and website and may be invited to be showcased in future MSPGH communications and events.
Judging Approach
This competition includes students at different stages and across project types.
Judges will assess:
- Quality of communication
- Strength of ideas and insight
- Relevance and impact
- Achievement relative to stage and context
Important notes:
- You do not need to have completed your project to be competitive.
- This is a communication competition - it's all about "the pitch" and communicating with clarity and impact.
Got questions?
A/Prof Nathan Stam is our MSPGH Academic Lead for the Public Health Project Pitch. If you have questions about the project pitch, please contact Nathan.
The Academic Programs Office is supporting the administration of this activity. If you have any questions related to the application process please contact us!