The Marketing Science Institute is pleased to announce our annual Alden G. Clayton Dissertation Proposal Competition.

This prestigious competition recognizes marketing doctoral students who are working on research questions with important marketing, societal, and policy implications. Each year, MSI encourages top-notch Ph.D. students to apply rigorous research methods to questions that have real business relevance. Learn more about the competition and see past winners.

The 2026 Alden G. Clayton dissertation proposal competition is open to qualified doctoral students worldwide. Submissions must be received no later than July 31, 2026. MSI will grant up to five awards, and each winner will receive a cash prize. Honorable mention awards may also be granted. Awards for 2026 will be announced later in the year. All submissions must be submitted through MSI’s online portal.

If you are a faculty member, please encourage your eligible doctoral students to participate.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students should be candidates for a doctorate in marketing or related fields (e.g. psychology, economics, management, strategy, etc.).
• Open to both US and international students.
• Students must NOT have defended the dissertation (students CAN have defended a proposal).
• Participation in other grant or award programs does not disqualify applicants.

Experienced marketing academics will judge submissions on their potential contribution to business and academia, quality of the conceptual development, feasibility, appropriateness of methodology, and creativity.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email research@msi.org. We look forward to receiving your submissions.