Fast Facts 

Entrants must be a matriculated student in a master's or doctoral degree program at SJSU, or have graduated in the fall semester prior to Grad Slam 2026.

Entrants must apply as individual presenters (learn more about this at the link below),

Each SJSU graduate student may participate only once during their degree program.  Our training is valuable to all graduate students.  We would like as many students as possible to have access to it.

Students should be in the research/creative phase of their program planning to graduate in Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 or have significant findings or progress on their projects.

NOTE:  The application process has changed from Google forms to InfoReady.  To apply, you must be logged into your one.SJSU account.

Link for InfoReady Application.

Before applying, you should do the following:

• Review the Student Application Guide (detailed instructions and suggestions), or a pdf version of the Application.

• Identify the faculty member responsible for supervising your research or creative work, a faculty mentor aware of your work, or the graduate advisor for your program. 

• Be prepared to provide answers to the following:

  • Title of your presentation (concise, clear, and accessible to someone outside of your field).

  • Summarize your project (an overview) in two or three sentences or a short paragraph.

  • Why is your project important?  Reflect on the broader significance of your work (see detailed ideas in the Application Guide) in two or three sentences.

  • Describe the work you have done to date.

  • What work do you plan to do to complete your project?

  • How much of your research or creative activity will be complete by April 1, 2026.  

You can prepare your application and "Save as a Draft."  You must "Submit Application" to apply.

Semifinalists are selected on the basis of their application, and will be notified of their acceptance into the Grad Slam cohort by February 9, 2026. All semifinalists are eligible to participate in the training sessions and attend an appointment with a professional videographer to create their video.  

Videos are submitted to a panel of judges. Ten finalists will attend the live on-stage Grad Slam event at Hammer Theater on April 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., and the reception afterwards.  Finalists receive additional stage training.

Semifinalists are selected on the basis of their application.  All semifinalists are eligible to participate in the training sessions and attend an appointment with a professional videographer to create their video.  Videos are submitted to a panel of judges who will select up to ten finalists to attend the live on-stage Grad Slam event at Hammer Theater on April 14, 2026,  with a reception afterwards.  All Grad Slam participants receive a YouTube copy of their video submission for their LinkedIn accounts, portfolio, and CV or resumé.

Cash prizes for SJSU Grad Slam 2026:

• $1,200 First Place

• $800 Second Place

• $500 Audience Choice

Two winners of the SJSU Grad Slam are eligible to compete in the CSU-Wide Grad Slam, which will be held virtually in May 2026.

The first-place winner is invited to attend the Western Association of Graduate Schools conference to compete in a regional competition.  Airfare and hotel will be paid by the College of Graduate Studies.

The first-place winner is also invited to return in April 2027 to act as a guest judge at the finals.

A single static slide is permitted.  No slide transitions, animations or imbedded videos are allowed.  The slide is presented at the beginning of your presentation and remains in view throughout the presentation.

No electronic media is allowed.

No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.

Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum.  Presentations exceeding 3:05 minutes will receive point deductions.

Presentations are to be delivered in a traditional presentation style (no singing, poetry, rap).

Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.

Emily Chan, Director of Research Engagement, Office of Research (emily.chan@sjsu.edu)

General Information Mailbox (gradslam@sjsu.edu)