DoctorBlock
Showcase your blockchain research in 180 seconds: a science communication contest for Doctoral Students and PhDs.
DoctorBlock is a scientific outreach competition for doctoral researchers working on blockchain.
It challenges participants to present their research clearly, concisely, and convincingly in just three minutes.
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About the competition
How should participants proceed?
Participants must explain their research topic on blockchain in accessible terms while sparking the interest and curiosity of the audience. This requires an effort to simplify the content while staying true to the scientific rigor of their work. Presentations are evaluated on criteria such as clarity, relevance, originality, and the ability to captivate the audience.
Format and Timeline
- I Round: Apply and submit 3 min video on the topic of your PhD thesis via the typeform before 31.03.2026
- II Round: In person pitch in Paris with pre-selected candidates in front of a jury Fall 2026
The competition would include participants from various countries, including non-UBRI members. All videos aim at being shared through social media in order to foster engagement around blockchain and will contribute to the XRPL Academic YouTube channel.
Important video instructions
Please be sure to review our video instructions before making your submission. Videos that do not tick all the boxes in our media instruction guide, will not be eligible for consideration.
Participate in the competiton
Prizes and eligibility
Prizes
- Be featured in the Community Magazine
- Participate in the creation of a new blockchain education manual
- Become a member of the XRPL Commons Teachers Pool
Eligibility
- Be able to express themselves in English
- Be enrolled in a PhD program for the current academic year (2025–2026), or have obtained their PhD during the previous academic year, i.e., 2024–2025
- Demonstrate sufficient progress in their doctoral research project
- Have informed their thesis supervisor and/or funders, as well as their unit director, of their participation in the competition
- Be able to express themselves in English
- All countries compliant with recognized KYC regulations are eligible to participate, except the following countries: Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Russia, Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Venezuela, Sudan, and Nicaragua.
Disclaimer and Media Release
Video Submission Release
By participating in this contest and submitting a video, you agree that your video may be used, reproduced, and shared by XRPL Commons for marketing, publicity, and informational purposes. This includes publication on XRPL Commons’ official channels such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or any other platform, as well as third-party publications.
Rights and Usage
You retain ownership of your video, but by submitting it, you grant XRPL Commons a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, distribute, and publicly display your video in connection with the contest and related activities.
Consent and Permissions
By submitting your video, you confirm that you have obtained all necessary permissions from any individuals appearing in the video and that your submission does not infringe on any third-party rights.
Data Use Notice
By registering for the contest, you agree that any personal information you provide (such as your name and email) may be used by XRPL Commons to support the contest and for follow-up communications.
Participation in the contest constitutes acceptance of these terms.
