The Mental Health Statistics Section is sponsoring a student paper competition. Winners will receive $1,000 toward the cost of travel to the Joint Statistical Meetings.

Papers entered into this student paper competition should involve a methodological innovation or novel application of statistical methods to a mental health issue. Current undergraduate or graduate students at any level, as well as those who graduated in 2019 and wish to submit research they conducted as students, are eligible to participate. Participants do not have to be a member of the ASA or Mental Health Statistics Section.

Up to two cash prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to the highest-rated paper(s). The award will help cover JSM 2020 expenses, so the winner(s) is required to be present at JSM 2020. The winner(s) must submit an abstract on the topic of their winning paper and register for JSM before the deadline through the official JSM abstract submission system. The award(s) will also be announced at the Mental Health Statistics Section mixer at JSM 2020, so winners should be in attendance for that.

Applications must include the following:

• A cover letter with name, current affiliation, and status (including actual or intended date of graduation), and contact information (i.e., address, telephone, email) of the applicant
• The paper submitted for the competition, including an abstract of up to 1,200 characters
• A letter from the adviser certifying student status (or completion of degree within the past year)

Applications must be submitted by email as one combined document (PDF files preferred). You should submit the single document with the three application parts in the following order: cover letter, adviser letter, and paper. For further information or to apply, contact Adam Ciarleglio. All materials must be received by December 15 at 5 p.m. EST.

Winners will be notified by January 15, 2020.