Dear colleagues,
I would like to send a friendly reminder that the deadline for the 2026 RSAI Best Doctoral Dissertation Award is approaching (August 31, 2026).
I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this announcement with recent PhD graduates, advisors, colleagues, and relevant networks who may have eligible candidates.
The Regional Science Association International (RSAI) invites submissions for the annual competition for the Best Doctoral Dissertation in Regional Science. Regional science is an interdisciplinary field concerned with theory, method, and application of regional, urban and rural, geographic, and spatial investigations and analyses.
The winner will be selected by the Selection Committee and will receive a cash award of €750. The award will be announced at the North American Meetings of the RSAI, where participants in the competition are strongly encouraged to be present. The Selection Committee reserves the right not to make an award, and its decisions are final.
Eligibility
- A dissertation completed in any PhD program in any country
- A dissertation written in English
- A dissertation successfully defended, with an official graduation date between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026
- A dissertation addressing one or more general regional science topics. The Selection Committee reserves the right to determine whether a dissertation is relevant to the field of regional science.
Application materials (PDF or MS Word format)
- A two-page curriculum vitae
- A letter of support and nomination from the major professor (dissertation committee chairperson or supervisor), on official letterhead and with signature. The letter should clearly explain the dissertation’s originality and contributions to the field of regional science.
- The dissertation
Applications should be submitted electronically by August 31, 2026, to the Chair of the Selection Committee:
Dr. Yunmi Park
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please use the email subject line [RSAI Dissertation].
Large submissions may be uploaded to a cloud file-sharing site upon request by email. Questions regarding the competition may also be directed to me.
For full details, please see the RSAI website:
https://www.regionalscience.org/index.php/awards/rsai-dissertation-award.html
I would be very grateful if you could circulate this call widely. We hope to receive many more excellent dissertations before the deadline.
Best regards,
Yunmi Park
Chair, RSAI Best Doctoral Dissertation Award Selection Committee