Ghazala Azmat Award for Young Scholars in Economics

The Ghazala Azmat Award 2026 recognizes outstanding research papers by early-career scholars in the fields of economics of discrimination, gender economics, education economics, and organizational economics. Established by the Department of Economics at Sciences Po, the award honors the academic legacy of Ghazala Azmat while encouraging innovative research by emerging economists.

The winning researcher will receive a €2,000 cash prize and present the awarded paper at the CEPR Paris Symposium 2026, scheduled for 3–8 December 2026 in Paris, France.

Overview of the Ghazala Azmat Award

The Ghazala Azmat Award was established by the Department of Economics at Sciences Po to commemorate the scholarly contributions of Ghazala Azmat, whose research made significant contributions to the fields of discrimination, gender, education, and organizational economics.

The award encourages outstanding early-career researchers to contribute innovative economic research that advances understanding of these important topics.

The selection process is managed by a scientific committee led by the Department of Economics at Sciences Po to ensure a transparent and rigorous evaluation of all submissions.

Objectives of the Award

The award aims to:

• Recognize outstanding early-career researchers in economics
• Encourage innovative research in key areas of applied economics
• Promote high-quality academic scholarship
• Support the professional development of emerging economists
• Honor the academic legacy of Ghazala Azmat
• Showcase promising research at an international academic forum

Research Areas

Submitted papers should relate to one or more of the following fields:

Economics of Discrimination

Research may examine topics such as:

• Labor market discrimination
• Wage inequality
• Social exclusion
• Equal opportunity
• Diversity and inclusion

Gender Economics

Eligible research areas include:

• Gender inequality
• Women’s labor market outcomes
• Gender pay gap
• Family economics
• Gender policy analysis

Education Economics

Research may focus on:

• Education systems
• Human capital development
• Educational inequality
• Student outcomes
• Education policy

Organizational Economics

Papers may explore:

• Workplace organization
• Incentive structures
• Firm behavior
• Organizational performance
• Management practices

Award Benefits

The selected winner will receive:

• €2,000 cash prize
• Opportunity to present the winning research paper
• Recognition from the Department of Economics at Sciences Po
• Exposure to leading international economists and researchers

Presentation Opportunity

The winning paper will be presented during the:

CEPR Paris Symposium 2026

Event Dates:

• 3–8 December 2026

Location:

• Paris, France

The symposium provides an opportunity to share research with an international academic audience and engage with leading experts in economics.

Who Is Eligible?

The award is open to young researchers working in eligible fields of economics.

Applicants must:

• Have received their PhD within the past eight years
• Submit an original research paper in one or more eligible research areas

Co-authorship Rules

For jointly authored papers:

• All authors must have less than eight years since completing their PhD

Papers co-authored with researchers who exceed the eight-year post-PhD limit are not eligible.

Prize Details

Award Amount

The winner will receive:

€2,000

Number of Awards

The programme offers:

• One award for the best research paper

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated by a scientific committee led by the Department of Economics at Sciences Po.

Reviewers are expected to assess:

• Originality of the research
• Academic quality
• Relevance to the award themes
• Contribution to economic knowledge
• Overall scholarly excellence

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should ensure that:

• They are within eight years of receiving their PhD
• All co-authors also meet the eligibility requirements

Step 2: Prepare the Research Paper

The submission should:

• Present original research
• Address one or more eligible research areas
• Meet the submission requirements provided by the organizers

Step 3: Review Submission Requirements

Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines before submission.

Step 4: Submit Through the CEPR HUB Platform

All applications must be submitted through the CEPR HUB platform before the official deadline.

Tips for a Strong Submission

Applicants should:

• Present original and innovative research
• Clearly define the research question
• Demonstrate rigorous methodology
• Highlight the contribution to economics literature
• Ensure all eligibility requirements are met
• Carefully follow submission guidelines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Including co-authors who are more than eight years post-PhD
• Submitting incomplete papers
• Failing to follow the submission instructions
• Missing the application deadline
• Submitting research outside the eligible subject areas

Why This Award Matters

The Ghazala Azmat Award provides an important opportunity for early-career economists to gain international recognition for their research.

The award helps:

• Promote innovative economic research
• Support emerging scholars
• Increase academic visibility
• Encourage research on discrimination, gender, education, and organizations
• Honor the legacy of an influential economist

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Ghazala Azmat Award?

The Ghazala Azmat Award recognizes outstanding research papers by early-career economists working in discrimination, gender, education, and organizational economics.

Who can apply?

Researchers who received their PhD within the last eight years are eligible to apply.

Can papers have multiple authors?

Yes. However, all authors must be within eight years of receiving their PhD.

What is the prize amount?

The winner will receive a €2,000 cash prize.

Where will the winning paper be presented?

The winning paper will be presented at the CEPR Paris Symposium 2026 in Paris, France, taking place from 3–8 December 2026.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted through the CEPR HUB platform before the published deadline.

What research topics are eligible?

Eligible topics include economics of discrimination, gender economics, education economics, and organizational economics.

Conclusion

The Ghazala Azmat Award 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for early-career economists to gain international recognition for innovative research in discrimination, gender, education, and organizational economics.

With a €2,000 prize, the opportunity to present at the CEPR Paris Symposium 2026, and recognition from Sciences Po, the award supports emerging scholars while celebrating the lasting academic legacy of Ghazala Azmat.