Psych Science in 3
ALL PS-in-3 proposals must be submitted online by Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.
Psych Science in 3 (PS-in-3) is a fun, fast-paced competition showcasing emerging talent in psychological science. Up to eight graduate students or recently graduated psychologists (i.e., obtained PhD in 2024 or later) will compete for three monetary prizes by presenting their research in just three minutes. Submit a PS-in-3 proposal to be considered!
All APA 2026 proposals must be submitted online through the call for proposals platform by Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.
First place
$2,000
Second place
$1,000
People’s Choice Award
$250
see the apa 2025 winners
First Place
STEMming the Leaky Pipeline Through Faculty’s Awareness of Systemic Inequality
Tiani Perkins
second Place
Understanding the Implementation of Informal Meditation Practice in a Smartphone-Based Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis
Qiang Xie
people's choice award
Promoting Active Coping among Emerging Adults
Symone Lawson
What You’ll Need to Submit Your Psych Science in 3
Presentation Title
The title of the talk.
Presentation Video
A video shared via YouTube or Vimeo of the presenter giving the presentation in front of the static slide as it would be presented live at APA 2026 if selected as a finalist. See videos of last year's winners (above) for examples.
Research Summary
A 200-word summary of the research.
NOTE: The APA Board of Convention Affairs will review PS-in-3 proposals. Notification of acceptance will be sent to finalists on or around April 2026.
Evaluation Criteria
A selection committee will choose up to eight finalists who will compete in person at APA 2026 for the top three monetary prizes. The presentations will be evaluated on the significance, impact, and clarity of research. The presentation should focus on theory-based empirical research; data collection and analysis should be completed. The language used must be appropriate to an educated but non-specialist audience.
PS-in-3 Rules
- Finalists must present in person at APA 2026.
- A single static PowerPoint slide is required. No slide transitions, animations or “movement” of any type. The single slide must be displayed from the beginning of the presentation to the end.
- Presentations are limited to three minutes, and competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.
- Limited electronic media (e.g., audio and video files) are permitted if directly relevant to the project and presentation.
- No additional persons or props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Data presented in the competitions should be considered as information likely to enter the public domain.
- Presentations are to be spoken words (i.e., no poems, raps, songs).
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when the emcee states it is time to begin and the slide is displayed.
IMPORTANT! ALL presenters and program participants—members, nonmembers, and students—are required to register and pay the appropriate registration fees for APA 2026. Registration will open in April. We look forward to seeing you virtually or in Washington, DC!
