SWAAG Student Research Competition
Students attending the annual SWAAG meeting are encouraged to enter one of our student competitions. There are four categories:
  • Undergraduate Posters
  • Undergraduate Papers
  • Graduate Posters
  • Graduate Papers

Awards
We are happy to recognize student excellence with monetary prizes and meaningful professional advancement opportunities. Winners will earn cash awards and impressive lines for their CVs or resumes. 

Awards for each category (based on available funds) are as follows:
  • 1st place: $300
  • 2nd place: $200
  • 3rd place: $100
The most outstanding undergraduate and graduate paper (1st place in the respective categories) are also eligible for the national-level AAG Council Awards for Outstanding Under

Eligibility
  • You must be enrolled as an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral student at a U.S. institution.
  • You will present research conducted recently, during your undergraduate studies if you are an undergraduate student, or during your graduate studies if you are a graduate student.
  • The papers and posters must be solely produced by you, though your advisor or other collaborators may be listed as co-authors.

How to Participate
  1. Register for the meeting, as described on the  Call for Participation page.
  2. Submit a regular abstract for the meeting, as described on the  Call for Participation page.
  3. Submit an extended abstract (up to 500 words) to the conference email at [email protected]. 
    1. Your extended abstract is due by Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:00 PM Central Time. 
    2. Late submissions will be ineligible for the student competition.
    3. Your extended abstract will be evaluated using the rubric below.
  4. Involve your advisor. Share your extended abstract with your advisor. Let them know that they will have to submit a form to support your student competition entry. This form is due by Thursday, September 10, 5:00 PM Central Time.
  5. Questions? Contact Dr. Chao Fan ([email protected]), SWAAG Treasurer and Student Competition Organizer. 

Evaluation Process
  • Upon receipt of your extended abstract, we will send your advisor a form to assess your project. This form must be submitted by your advisor by Thursday, September 10, 5:00 PM Central Time. Late submissions will disqualify you from the student competition.
  • If more than 10 entries are received per student competition category, a panel of SWAAG faculty judges use the rubric below to determine which entries to advance to the competition.
  • You will be notified by Monday, September 14 if you have been selected for the competition.
  • If selected, you will present your work in a special session organized by the Program Committee. Judges will be assigned to evaluate the sessions and determine the ranking of all presenters.
  • If not selected, you will be ineligible for the competition awards but will still present your paper or poster in a regular session.

Rubric
Extended abstracts will be evaluated using this rubric.
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