APSSC Pitch Perfect Competition

Three Minutes to Sell Your Research Proposal 

What vision do you have for your science’s impact? Chances are you would like to convey your research to investors, policymakers, and other scientists in meetings just like the APS Annual Convention. Hone your selling skills in this Shark Tank-style competition where you put your research up for auction and compete for prizes from APS!

The Pitch Perfect Competition is a mainstay of the APS Annual Convention. In it, participants are challenged to give a three-minute presentation about their scientific proposal, thesis, or dissertation research. APS members will judge the competition, and judging will take place in two rounds. The first round will narrow the field to five finalists who will give their pitches live at the APS Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

The competition is open to all APS Graduate Student Affiliates who are registered for the APS Annual Convention. 

How it Works 

• Applicants complete the online submission form no later than March 20, 2023.
• Each applicant will receive an email with a secure link to upload their presentations to OneDrive.
• Presentation videos must be uploaded no later than March 24, 2023.
• Preliminary judging will be completed by the end of March.
• Finalists will be notified in early April and should plan to present for the Pitch Perfect Live session on the afternoon of May 26, 2023 during the 2023 APS Annual Convention.
• First, second, third, and crowd favorite winners will be selected for prizes ranging from complimentary conference registration to APS membership.

Competition Rules 

• Presentations are limited to three (3) minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three (3) minutes will be disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs.)
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decisions of the judges are final.

For more information, please contact Student Programs Manager Tyler Boomershine at [email protected].

2022 Pitch Perfect Videos