Robin and Roger Best Awards for Doctoral Research and Teaching Excellence

The purpose of the Best endowment is to recognize excellence in teaching and to encourage and support PhD student research and collaboration with LCB faculty. In providing incentives for turning this research into conference papers and co-authored journal articles, the awards aim to improve our students’ job prospects and enhance the reputation of the LCB doctoral program.

All awards are subject to the availability of funds, and applications must be submitted within one year of the event meriting an award (such as notification from a journal). To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled at the Lundquist College of Business. Likewise, co-authoring faculty must be currently employed at the Lundquist College of Business to be eligible for an award.

Teaching

The teaching award is limited to two per student during their tenure in the program

  • One $2,000 award/yr: Awarded at the annual PhD Spring Celebration to the PhD GE with the best classroom performance across all departments in the preceding year (spring term through winter term)
  • Four $5000 awards/yr/dept: Awarded at the annual PhD Spring Celebration to the PhD GE with the best classroom performance in each respective department—except that of the overall winner above (spring term through winter term). Depending on the quality of teaching in eachdepartment we may skip if no qualified candidates. Up to the discretion of the director.

Research

  • Up to $500 per student/yr: Research travel; experiments; purchase of data, non-standard software, other materials; attendance at developmental workshops (e.g., specialized training in research methodologies).
  • Requirements: Application must include a description of the project and the intended use of funds, as well as a supporting letter from the faculty advisor/mentor. In collaborative projects, funds are intended to reimburse students (not faculty) for required expenses.

Conference Papers/Presentations (exluding poster sessions)

  • $1,000: Presentation at select major national conferences designated by departments. Co-authoring studentsshare award equally.
  • $500: Presentation at other national and international conferences. Co-authoring students share equally.
  • Requirements: To claim the award, submit to the PhD Program Director a copy of the paper/materials presented at the conference, as well as the relevant pages of the conference program.Note: Student must present at the conference to be eligible for the award. Each presentation is eligible for a prize only once. One $500 award per student per year; no limit on $1,000 awards. Only one award per paper. No “double-dipping,” i.e., awards for journal article and presentation for essentially the same version of the paper.

Journal Articles

Students
  • $500: First R&R of student-authored article in Financial Times list journal. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $500: Student-authored article accepted for publication in a Financial Times list journal. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $750: Article co-authored with Lundquist faculty and submitted for the first time for publication in the Financial Times list journal. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $500: Article co-authored with Lundquist faculty and submitted for the first time for publication in other high-quality outlet (non-FT list). Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $750: First R&R of article in Financial Times list journal co-authored with Lundquist faculty. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $500: First R&R of article in high-quality outlet (non-FT list journal) co-authored with Lundquist faculty. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $1,500: Article co-authored with Lundquist faculty and accepted for publication in the Financial Times list journal. Co-authoring students share the award equally.
  • $1,000: Article co-authored with Lundquist faculty and accepted for publication in another recognized (non-FT list), peer-reviewed journal. Co-authoring students share equally in the award.
  • Requirements: To claim awards, submit evidence of journal submission or acceptance to the PhD Program Director. Provide a copy of the article upon publication. No limits on the number of prizes for journal submissions and publications. Book chapters and conference proceedings are ineligible for awards. No “double-dipping,” i.e., awards for a journal article and a presentation for essentially the same version of the paper. Students are not eligible to receive Best Awards after leaving the Lundquist College of Business (for example, for journal articles accepted after the student graduates).
Faculty
  • Up to $500: Reimbursement for journal submission fees. Once per submitted article.