The Statistical Computing and Statistical Graphics sections are cosponsoring a student paper competition on the topics of statistical computing and statistical graphics. Students are encouraged to submit a paper in one of these areas, which might be original methodological research, a novel computing or graphical application in statistics, or a software-related project. The selected winners will present their papers in a topic-contributed session at the 2011 Joint Statistical Meetings. The sections will pay registration fees for the winners and a substantial allowance for transportation to the meetings and lodging.

Anyone who is a student (graduate or undergraduate) on or after September 1, 2010, is eligible to participate. An entry must include the following:

• An abstract
• A six-page manuscript (including figures, tables, and references)
• Blinded versions of the abstract and manuscript (with no authors or references that easily lead to identifying the authors)
• A CV
• A letter from a faculty member familiar with the student’s work

The applicant must be the first author of the paper, and the faculty letter must include verification of the applicant’s student status. In the case of joint authorship, the letter should indicate what fraction of the contribution is attributable to the applicant.

Electronic submissions of papers should be in Postscript or PDF formats, and all materials must be in English.

All application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on December 13, 2010, via email at feic@avaya.com or mail to Fei Chen, Avaya Labs, 233 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.

Applications will be reviewed by the Student Paper Competition Award committee for innovation and significance of the contribution and the professional quality of the manuscript. Award announcements will be made in late January of 2011.

More information about the competition can be found on the Statistical Computing and Statistical Graphics sections website.