INFORMS Open Forum

Nomination Deadline for 2026 is December 1, 2025
Click to learn more about the award, application process, and judging criteria

Eligibility

"Early career practitioner" refers to an INFORMS member who has no more than five years* post-graduation of highest degree (at any time during the calendar year), and at least two years of industry experience, currently working outside of academia (i.e., industry, consulting, government, non-profit, research labs, etc.). Applicants from any OR/MS or analytics related disciplines are eligible to apply. Full-time practitioners with adjunct academic appointments are also eligible to apply. Past winners are not eligible.

* If there are extenuating circumstances for applying beyond the timeframe listed in the eligibility requirements, it can be addressed within the submission process. Extenuating circumstances beyond an applicant's control include, but are not limited to:

• Documented medical condition or serious illness
• Death of a family member or friend
• Involuntary call to active military duty
• Maternity/family leave

Application Process

Submissions will be accepted through both nominations and self-nominations. Nominators are expected to use INFORMS online submission portal and provide all relevant information including:

• A nomination statement (1-2 pages) highlighting the nominee's contributions and their application of OR/MS and Advanced Analytics in their industry (inside or outside of their organization such as clients, multidisciplinary teams, etc.).
• Up to 3 letters of reference supporting the applicant's qualifications, providing qualitative support for their contributions to their area of work. At least one letter of reference should be from outside of academia (and preferably, from the current employer of the nominee). Only one letter may be from an academic (e.g., faculty advisor or project partner).
• Other supporting materials, if applicable, such as publication citations, media interviews, "Tell me about yourself" interviews, patents pending, etc.
• Acknowledgment of the outlined terms and conditions in the portal.