University of California

04/09/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/09/2026 18:35

The next generation of California researchers share their passions at Grad Slam

How much science can you learn in the time it takes to watch an ad break? 10 graduate students from each of UC's campuses will put their science communication skills to the test in Sacramento at the 2026 Grad Slam.

UC Grad Slam: Big ideas, 3 minutes flat

Watch the Grad Slam livestream at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 22 and vote for your favorite: gradslam.universityofcalifornia.edu

What's happening: The University of California hosts its annual Grad Slam, where graduate students explain complex research in just 3 minutes. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. Watch online and vote for your favorite talk at gradslam.universityofcalifornia.edu.

Why it matters: The competition showcases cutting-edge research - from automating food safety to battling cancer and fighting Valley Fever - in ways the public can actually understand.

The big picture goal isn't just winning, it's teaching grad students to communicate clearly, land jobs, secure funding and demystify research.

How it works:

  • One finalist from each of UC's 10 campuses

  • Months of prep to simplify years of research

  • Judged by leaders in academia, media and industry - a cross-section of the real-world audiences with whom researchers must connect

What's at stake

  • $18,000 in total prize money

  • The coveted "Slammy" trophy for first place

  • Audience also votes for a People's Choice winner

What they're saying

Grad Slam transformed how I communicate my research to other people. We have a duty to make this knowledge accessible to people - it defeats the purpose of the research if we can't get it across.
Adekunle Adewole, UC Merced, 2025 UC Grad Slam finalist and People's Choice award winner

By the numbers: Around 28,000 Ph.D. students across UC contribute to research innovation day in and day out. Their contributions change the course of California and the nation, and the work they do here reverberates for decades, sparking new industries and improving quality of life.

Keynote, judges and sponsors: This year, a special keynote presentation from California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón will address the importance of protecting federal research funding. Born and raised in the 21st district, Sen. Limón is the first mother and first Latina ever to hold the position of Senate President pro Tempore.

This year's competition is sponsored by Google Gemini.

Watch last year's winning talk

Don't miss it!

Watch the Grad Slam livestream at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 22 and vote for your favorite: gradslam.universityofcalifornia.edu

University of California published this content on April 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 10, 2026 at 00:35 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]