Graduate student video competition

Show and tell your story! Pitch your research project in a pre-recorded video, telling us about your research and how it can potentially benefit farmers and the sustainability of Canadian agriculture in three minutes!

Video entries will be showcased on the conference website and select entries will be chosen for special showing/Q & A during the conference. Those students whose video will be featured during the conference are required to take part in a live Q & A session following the showings.

Research results can be included but are not required.

Be creative! Cash prizes will be awarded to the videos selected by our judges plus conference attendees will select the winning video for a People’s Choice award!

Video entries must be submitted no later than 6:30 p.m. CST February 23, 2026 to qualify. Video format as either .mp4 or .mov is acceptable. Please submit to the link we will provide.

All entries must be accompanied by a signed UM photo/video waiver completed by everyone who appears in the video.

Submissions must fit within the conference theme Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture to qualify and must include how your research can potentially benefit farmers and the sustainability of Canadian agriculture.

Maximum video length is 3 minutes (2.5 minutes minimum).

The graduate student must appear in at least 2 minutes of the video and must introduce themselves at the beginning of the video (name, program, degree being sought and University).

Videos must be based on research conducted by the graduate student that is part of their graduate program thesis.

Research results can be included but are not required.

No text-based visuals (e.g. powerpoint slides) although slides can be used to convey a graphic, such as a map, pie chart, bar graph, etc.

No written notes or cue-cards can be visible on the video.

Other people are permitted in the video, providing they are relevant to the story. Please ensure they are aware the recording will be publicly posted by having them complete the /photo video consent form.

Images, photos, diagrams or other visuals used in the video that are not created by the graduate student must be properly credited and permission obtained prior to use (if in doubt, contact the UM Copyright Office).

For videos selected to be shown during the conference, entrants are required to take part in the live Q & A session about their research in their assigned video showing slot. Dates and time of the video showing slots will be provided on February 25, 2026.