The contest
My thesis in 180 seconds contest, co-organized at the national level by the CNRS and France Universités, consists of presenting your research topic in French and in simple terms to a diverse audience. The presentation, which focuses on the research project, must be clear, concise, and convincing.
The contest will be organized according to several selection stages: within the university, then at the regional, national, and international levels. The University of Bordeaux's final will take place on April 2, 2026.
Applications
Application is open to PhD students enrolled at the University of Bordeaux in 2025-2026 or to doctors from the University of Bordeaux who defended their thesis during the previous academic year (2024-2025).
Find all the conditions in the candidate's handbook and the application form (in French).
How to apply
Each candidate must fill in and sign the application form and send it, along with a photo, before February 2, 2026 by email at mt180s@u-bordeaux.fr.
The candidates must take the training courses into account. Registration is open via ADUM.
Preparation
Participants will benefit from several training courses in communication and public speaking in February and March 2026. Organized by the Graduate Research School and led by professionals, this training aims to teach you how to communicate and share your passion for research with a wider audience.
Webinar
All information regarding registration, training and the steps of the contest was presented in a webinar held by the time dedicated to the organization of the contest and the training. Watch the replay (in French).
Frequently asked questions
When are the training courses held?
There will be six 3.5-hour sessions spread over half-days (mornings or afternoons, depending on whether you are in group A or group B) between the end of February and the end of March 2026. The detailed training schedule is available on ADUM. PhD students can register for training sessions via ADUM.
How much personal time does it require?
The training courses provide support in public speaking, structuring and writing speeches, and choosing visuals. Each candidate needs personal work time to perfect the presentation. The training content can be found on ADUM.
What are the photos requested for the application used for?
The photos are used by the contest organizers to promote the candidate in the communications media (web, social media, print) linked to the contest.
Are presentation slides permitted during the contest?
Yes, they are not mandatory but strongly recommended. A single non-animated slide is permitted, with text in French. All information is presented in the candidate's notebook.
If I win at one of the finals, am I obliged to participate in the next one?
Yes, candidates selected for the university final will represent the university in the regional final. Candidates selected at regional level will represent the region in the national final in Lille.
If I make it to the regional finals, will my expenses be covered?
Yes, transportation and accommodation costs (if applicable) for the university winners participating in the regional and national finals will be covered.
Can I participate more than once?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements and have not been a national finalist in a previous edition of the contest. The eligibility criteria are listed in the candidate handbook.
If you participate a second time, your training hours will only be validated once, during your first participation.
I recently defended or am about to defend my thesis. Can I still register for the contest and training courses?
To participate, candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program for the current academic year (2025-2026) or have obtained their PhD during the previous academic year (2024-2025). The eligibility criteria are set out in the candidate's handbook. Those who defended their thesis in the 2024-2025 academic year can contact mt180s@u-bordeaux.fr to register for the training courses.
I have a question about my registration, the training, or the organization of the contest. Who should I contact?
You can contact the entire organizing team at mt180s@u-bordeaux.fr. They will do their best to answer your question and redirect you to the training team if necessary.