The Social Statistics, Government Statistics, and Survey Research Methods Sections are pleased to announce a competition for student and postgraduate papers to be presented at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 31 - August 5, 2010. At least five awards will be granted. Winning papers are presented by the authors at a JSM session and are recognized at the Sections’ business meetings. A subsidy of up to $800 is provided to each winner in order to cover JSM 2010 expenses.

To be eligible to participate you must be a current undergraduate, graduate student at any level, or a 2009 graduate who presents research conducted as a student. Faculty members are urged to encourage students to apply for these awards.

Papers entered in this competition must involve either a new statistical methodology, or a creative application of statistical analysis to a problem, issue, or policy question pertinent to the subject area of one of the sponsoring sections. The research does not have to be complete, but competitors must be able to submit an abstract prospectus that describes the planned research and nature of the intended innovation(s).

Applications must include:

1. a cover letter with the applicant’s name, current affiliation and status, and contact information (address, telephone, e-mail);
2. an abstract (300 words maximum);
3. a draft paper (if available); or otherwise a 3-page research prospectus; and
4. a letter from his/her adviser that certifies the applicant's status (e.g., current student or new graduate who completed the degree within the past year), and describes plans to complete the research.

Refer to the section websites for a copy of this announcement and for updates.

Social Statistics Section - http://www.amstat.org/sections/ssoc/studentawards.html
Government Statistics Section - http://www.amstat.org/sections/sgovt/
Survey Research Methods Section - http://www.amstat.org/sections/SRMS/index.html

To apply, please send the requested materials below to Joseph Salvo (SSS Program Chair – jsalvo@planning.nyc.gov), Lisa Blumerman (GSS Program Chair – lisa.m.blumerman@census.gov), or Michael Elliott (SRMS Program Chair – mrelliot@umich.edu).

All materials must be received by 5 PM Eastern Stadard Time December 18, 2009. Winners will be notified by mid-January 2010.

If a student receives an award from more than one section, he/she must immediately inform the other cosponsoring sections and decline one of the awards.