To encourage undergraduate interest in economic issues, Xavier Gabaix, President of the International Atlantic Economic Society, and Viral V. Acharya, Vice President of the International Atlantic Economic Society, cordially invited students to compete in the IAES Annual Best Undergraduate Paper Award (BUPA) competition in October 2025. The IAES strives to recognize and reward outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students worldwide. Each year, four finalists are selected to present their research orally.
The award is co-sponsored by
The Winner Receives
$1000
A handsome commemorative plaque recognizing their accomplishment
Complimentary publication of the paper in the Atlantic Economic Journal.
All finalists will receive $100, a commemorative plaque, and are invited to publish an 800 word summary of their research in the AEJ.
Dr. Gary Clayton
Best Undergraduate Paper Award Competition Coordinator
Northern Kentucky University-U.S.A.
Applications for the 20th Annual Best Undergraduate Paper Award Competition will be accepted starting 15 January 2024.
Please take this time to thoroughly prepare and be ready to submit your paper for the Best Undergraduate Paper Award Competition when the submission site opens! Due to large volume of applications, we encourage you to submit your application early. Thank you!
View the Best Undergraduate Paper Award Competition welcome video
Guidelines for Submission
To be considered for the 2025 Best Undergraduate Paper Award competition, all entries must follow the guidelines below.
1. Format of the Paper
The paper must conform to AEJ manuscript style instructions, and must be:
– 10 – 20 pages in length including Blind Manuscript Title page and tables/figures- submitted in MS Word format, PDF and LaTeX files are NOT acceptable. The Blind Manuscript Title page must contain the Paper’s Title, JEL numbers, and the paper’s keywords. It may not contain any further information.
– Separate Title page (not part of the 10-20 pages) must include: (a) full name of student; (b) affiliation; (c) e-mail address; and (d) phone number.
Papers not following these guidelines will be rejected.
2. Where Do I Submit My Paper?
Please submit the paper to journals@iaes.org by 15 June 2025 with the subject line: “Best Undergraduate Paper Competition – Last Name of Student”.
DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR PAPER TO EDITORIAL MANAGER.
3. Additional Requirements
Include an e-mail from the Department Chair certifying:
A. That the paper was written while the author was an undergraduate.
B. If the student has already graduated from the undergraduate program, that the degree was conferred within the past academic year.
C. That the paper has not already been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.
D. That the department will sponsor the student’s hotel and travel if the student is selected as a finalist.
Note: If the Department Chair is unable to sponsor student travel occurring after graduation, provide a separate letter from an alternative sponsor (Department Chair of the graduate program in which the student will be enrolled at the time of the conference or employer after graduation) specifying that the department or employer will sponsor the student’s hotel and travel if the student is selected as a finalist.
Selection of Finalists
1. Up to four finalists will be notified of their selection. Finalists will be required to make a formal presentation on Saturday afternoon 7 October 2023, at the 96th International Atlantic Economic Conference. Registration fees for all finalists will be waived.
2. Finalists will be judged on both presentation and content. A panel of judges will announce the winning paper after the presentations.