MPSA sponsors many awards for outstanding research presented at the annual conference and one award for the best article published in each volume of the American Journal of Political Science (AJPS). In general, and with the exception of Flagship Awards, nominations are made by conference section heads, chairs, and discussants after the conference. However, if you feel a paper is deserving of a research award, please nominate using the forms below. Please note that self-nominations are not accepted. You must either have held section or panel responsibilities (section head, chair or discussant) at the conference or be a professional-level or retiree conference participant to submit a nomination.

Call for Award Nominations

The MPSA is accepting award nominations for research presented at the 81st Annual MPSA Conference (April 4-7, 2024). Please use the forms below to nominate deserving research for an award. All nominations must be made by those with section or panel responsibilities (section head, chair or discussant) or by a professional-level or retiree conference participant. Self-nominations are not accepted. The deadline to nominate research is July 1, 2024. 

Flagship Awards:

  • AJPS Best Article Award.  A $1,000 award for the best article appearing in the volume of the American Journal of Political Science published in the year preceding the conference. All published articles in this timeframe will be considered. Nominations are not accepted.
  • MPSA Best Paper Award.  A $250 award for the best paper presented at the annual MPSA conference. The nomination pool consists of papers selected for the field awards; other nominations are not accepted.

Field Awards:

  • Best Paper in International Relations. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of international relations. Nominate here!
  • Best Paper in Political Behavior. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of political behavior. Nominate here!
  • Evan Ringquist Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of political institutions. Nominate here!
  • Kellogg/Notre Dame Award. A $250 award for the best paper in comparative politics. Nominate here!
  • Kenneth J. Meier Award. A $250 award for the best paper in bureaucratic politics, public administration, or public policy. Nominate here!
  • Review of Politics Award. A $250 award for the best paper in normative political theory. Nominate here!
  • Robert H. Durr Award. A $250 award for the best paper applying quantitative methods to a substantive problem. Nominate here!
  • Rodney Hero Award for the Best Paper in American Politics. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of American politics. Nominate here!

Subfield Awards:

  • Lucius Barker Award. A $250 award for the best paper on a topic investigating race or ethnicity and politics and honoring the spirit and work of Professor Barker. Nominate here!
  • Patrick J. Fett Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the scientific study of Congress and the presidency. Nominate here!
  • Richard E. Matland Award. A $250 award for the best paper by an emerging scholar in representation, elections, or voting. Author (or lead author) is an untenured faculty member or a graduate student. Nominate here!
  • Sophonisba Breckinridge Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of women and politics. Nominate here!

Career Stage Awards:

  • Best Paper by an Emerging Scholar. A $250 award for the best paper, regardless of field or topic, by a scholar or scholars who has or have received their terminal degree(s) within six years of the year in which the paper was presented. Nominate here!
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award. Sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, also known as the National Political Science Honor Society, this is a $250 award for best paper delivered by a graduate student. Nominate here!
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Best Undergraduate Paper Presented in a Poster Format. Sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, also known as the National Political Science Honor Society, this is a $250 award for the best paper presented in a poster format by an undergraduate student. Nominate here!
  • Herbert Simon Award. A $500 award for a mid-career scholar who has made a significant contribution to the scientific study of bureaucracy. Submissions are handled by the Midwest Caucus for Public Administration.

Award Archives from Previous Years

View the 2024 award winners, the award recipient archive, and past awards committees.

Application to Name or Create an MPSA Award

The process for proposing or renaming an MPSA award or travel scholarship is currently under review. Please check back later for more information. If you have any questions, please contact the MPSA Executive Office.

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to an Award or Scholarship

Thank you for considering a tax-deductible donation to support MPSA’s advancement of the discipline! Donations to the association help to support awards for best research presented at the annual conference and in the American Journal of Political Science. Gifts from generous donors also support conference attendees through the Conference Registration Fee Waiver Scholarships, Graduate Student Travel Scholarships, and MPSA Childcare Scholarships.

Donate Online: You may donate to an award or scholarship of your choice. Your support of the discipline and political science scholars makes a difference!

Prefer to donate with a check? Please complete the PDF MPSA Donation Form and mail it to the MPSA office.