Best PhD Thesis Award

Launched in 2023, the Behavioral Sciences Best PhD Thesis Award is to recognize young scholars for producing outstanding PhD theses in the field of psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, behavioral biology and behavioral genetics, and to encourage the continuation of their outstanding work and further contribution to their field. The application process for this award is open from November to May every year and winners are announced in July.

The Prize:
– CHF 500;
– A certificate;
– A voucher to waive the Article Processing Charges (APCs) for one submission in the journal (subject to peer review)— valid for one year.

Number of Winners: 1

 
Behavioral Sciences Best PhD Thesis Award
 
Application deadline: 31 May 2026
Winner announcement: 31 July 2026

Eligibility and Requirements

– The candidate must be a PhD student or recently qualified PhD who has produced an outstanding PhD thesis;
– The PhD thesis must be their original work;
– The PhD thesis must be defended in 2025.

List of Documents for Application

– An executive summary of the PhD thesis in English of around 3000 words;
– A letter from the PhD supervisor recommending the candidate for consideration for this award;
– The candidate’s CV, including a list of publications connected with the thesis;
– An electronic copy of the PhD thesis;
– A scanned copy of the PhD diploma (or certificate of studying at a school or research institute as a PhD student going to graduate or participate in graduation thesis defenses).

 
Past Winners
 
Year: 

Winner

Raquel N. Taddei
University College London and Harvard Medical School

Award Committee

Prof. Jerrell Cassady Chairman
Ball State University
Dr. Gengfeng Niu
Central China Normal University
Prof. John Parkinson
Department of Psychology
Dr. Geoff Cole
University of Essex
Dr. Andrew Soundy
University of Birmingham

Winner

Marina Saraiva
University of Porto, Portugal

Award Committee

Prof. Gianluca Serafini Chairman
University of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
Dr. Dario Siniscalco
University of Campania
Dr. Valentina Echeverria Moran
Bay Pines VAHCS/USS
Dr. Gianluca Borghini
Dr. Gengfeng Niu
Central China Normal University
Prof. Martin Hagger
Prof. Dr. Natalie A Ceballos
Texas State University
Prof. Dr. Michele Roccella
University of Palermo , Italy
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