The Statistical Computing and Statistical Graphics sections of the ASA 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 2012 Joint Statistical Meetings. The sections will pay registration fees for the winners and a substantial allowance for lodging and transportation to the meetings.

Anyone who was a student (graduate or undergraduate) on or after September 1 is eligible to participate. An entry must include an abstract, six-page manuscript (including figures, tables, and references), blinded versions of the abstract and manuscript (with no authors and no references that easily lead to identifying the authors), a CV, and a letter from a faculty member familiar with the student’s work. The applicant must be the first author of the paper. The faculty letter must include a verification of the applicant’s student status and, in the case of joint authorship, should indicate what fraction of the contribution is attributable to the applicant. Electronic submissions of papers should be in Postscript or PDF format. All materials must be in English.

Students may submit papers to both sections, but accept only one section’s award. Students must inform both sections applied to when he or she wins and accepts an award, thereby removing her/himself from the award competition for the other section.

All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. EST on December 15. They will be reviewed by the Student Paper Competition Award committee of the Statistical Computing and Statistical Graphics sections. The selection criteria used by the committee will include innovation and significance of the contribution and the professional quality of the manuscript. Award announcements will be made by January 15, 2012.

Additional information about the competition can be accessed on the ASA’s student paper competition/travel award web page. Inquiries and application materials should be sent to Fei Chen at fchen6@its.jnj.com.