Alden G. Clayton Competition
Forecasted
Alden G. Clayton Competition supports doctoral students through awards for dissertation proposals on consequential marketing questions, encouraging rigorous research with business, societal, and policy relevance.
Funder: Marketing Science Institute
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to five cash-prize awards in the 2026 competition; honorable mentions may also be granted
Summary: Recognizes doctoral dissertation proposals addressing consequential marketing questions with business, societal, and policy relevance.
Key Information: Applicants must not have defended their final dissertation; a defended proposal is permitted.
Description
The Marketing Science Institute’s annual Alden G. Clayton Competition recognizes doctoral students researching questions with important marketing, societal, and policy implications. Through awards and honorable mentions, it encourages rigorous dissertation research with real business relevance. The competition welcomes candidates in marketing and related fields, including psychology, economics, management, and strategy, from the United States and internationally.
Proposals should connect a clearly defined research problem with relevant theory, hypotheses, and appropriate methods and analyses. Applicants must explain the managerial relevance of their expected results. Experienced marketing academics judge submissions for their potential contribution to business and academia, conceptual development, feasibility, methodological appropriateness, and creativity.
