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 deadline to nominate research from the 2024 conference has passed. Research award recipients will be announced in the fall.

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.
  • Paula D. McClain Award for the MPSA Best Paper.  A $500 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.
  • Best Paper in Political Behavior. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of political behavior.
  • Evan Ringquist Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of political institutions.
  • Kellogg/Notre Dame Award. A $250 award for the best paper in comparative politics.
  • Kenneth J. Meier Award. A $250 award for the best paper in bureaucratic politics, public administration, or public policy.
  • Review of Politics Award. A $250 award for the best paper in normative political theory.
  • Robert H. Durr Award. A $250 award for the best paper applying quantitative methods to a substantive problem.
  • Rodney Hero Award for the Best Paper in American Politics. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of American politics.

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.
  • Patrick J. Fett Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the scientific study of Congress and the presidency.
  • 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.
  • Sophonisba Breckinridge Award. A $250 award for the best paper on the topic of women and politics.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

To propose a new award or scholarship refer to the MPSA Policy on Naming Awards and complete this form. 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.