Young Researchers Prize

The INFORMS Optimization Society Prize for Young Researchers was established in 1998 and is awarded annually at the INFORMS Annual Meeting to one or more young researcher(s) for an outstanding paper in optimization that is published in, or submitted to and accepted by, a refereed professional journal within the four calendar years preceding the year of the award. All authors must have earned their most recent degree within the eight calendar years preceding the year of award, or be enrolled in a degree-granting program. The prize serves as an esteemed recognition of promising colleagues who are at the beginning of their academic or industrial career.

The prize includes a cash amount of US $3,000 and a citation certificate. The award winner(s) will be invited to give a fifteen-minute presentation in a special session sponsored by the Optimization Society during the INFORMS annual meeting. The winners will be responsible for all travel expenses associated with the presentation of their paper at the INFORMS meeting. Award winners are also asked to contribute an article about their award-winning work to the Optimization Society newsletter.

Eligibility

The author(s) and the work must satisfy the following conditions to be eligible for the prize:

1. The paper must be published in, or submitted to and accepted by, a refereed professional journal during the four calendar years preceding the year of the award.
2. All authors must have earned their most recent degree within the eight calendar years preceding the year of award, or be enrolled in a degree-granting program. (Note: All authors of a prize-winning paper will be co-winners of the prize.)
3. The topic of the paper must belong to the field of optimization in its broadest sense.
4. The prize may be awarded once in a lifetime to any individual.
5. The paper may not be simultaneously submitted to an INFORMS student paper competition.

Nomination Process

A complete nomination consists of a single PDF file containing:

1. A letter of nomination, not exceeding two pages, summarizing the nominee's contributions with explanations of their importance and impact;
2. A curriculum vitae for the nominee, not exceeding four pages; and
3. Two support letters, each not exceeding two pages.

Winners and committee members