CBI Trainee Society

CBITS Spark Tank Competition: Summer 2025

The CBI Trainee Society (CBITS) is hosting 5-minute collaborative research pitch competition, adapted from the international Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. This competition will feature cross-college teams pitching proposed research projects that combine knowledge and/or capabilities from each team member’s discipline. Pitches will be judged and awarded prizes. 

Learn more about 3MT competitions here. 

Eligibility & Team Formation

The competition is primarily for Ohio State graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and is open to Ohio State undergraduates, staff, and faculty members. Participants must form teams of 2 or 3 members, and members may represent cross-lab or cross-college collaborations. Individuals may only participate on one team, and each team may have a maximum of 1 faculty member. Interested participants may register to attend a teaming event to network and identify partners prior to applying to participate in the competition as a team. Individual participants may also be assigned to teams if preferred.

Format & Topics

Each pitch will propose a novel research project that combines multiple disciplines within the scope of CBI’s research and clinical topics. Projects may be related to existing data or initiatives. Pitches are limited to 5 minutes and 3 static slides. Pitches must clearly describe the project’s purpose, connected research aims, design and methods, and potential for impact. 

Judging Criteria

This competition is primarily for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and is open to undergraduates, staff, and faculty members. Teams will be judged on their understanding of the related topics and background knowledge, the fit of individual aims into a cohesive project, the nature and level of interdisciplinarity required for the project, the feasibility of accomplishing project goals, the proposed impact of the project’s target outcomes, and presentation (clarity, accessibility of communication, stage presence, slide quality). Judges will be recruited from CBI faculty, staff, and students. 

Awards

Multiple prizes will be awarded to teams. The overall competition winner will receive a $1,500 planning grant to further the pitched project, and multiple professional development awards are available for teams showcasing strong interdisciplinarity, ambition, creativity, and/or impact. 

Important Dates & Actions

• Interested participants should sign up for the Teaming Events on June 25 and/or July 18
• Teams must register to present pitches by July 31 
• The pitch showcase will be held in early Fall 2025 semester, date TBD

Contact

For more information, please visit https://cbi.osu.edu/trainees/traineesociety or email cbi@osu.edu.