Paul Meehl Graduate School Dissertation Award

About

Since its establishment in 2024, the Paul Meehl Graduate School has aimed to foster a strong community for early-career researchers in metascience. On the third anniversary of the school’s establishment, we are delighted to announce the first edition of the Paul Meehl Graduate School Dissertation Award.

By recognizing and incentivizing outstanding doctoral theses, we aim to align our focus on training in best research practices with celebrating high-quality and responsible scholarship. With this award, we aim to recognize early-career researchers who have made a strong contribution to metascience.

Who can apply

Applications are open for all scholars who have defended or will defend their PhD thesis within the period of the 1st of March, 2024, to June 1st, 2026.

The PhD thesis is completed at a European university, in one of the following countries:

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

The application documents

Early-career researchers applying for the Paul Meehl Graduate School dissertation award should submit the following documents:

  • a digital copy of their PhD thesis,
  • a resume,
  • proof of graduation,
  • a short motivation letter explaining why they believe their thesis should receive the award.

These materials should be submitted before June 1, 2026, to paulmeehlgraduateschool@tue.nl

The Jury

For the first edition of the award the jury will consist of the board members of Paul Meehl Graduate School (for the list of the board members, see About). The board will develop guidelines for the award procedure during this year, and establish a committee of independent evaluators for future editions of the award.

FAQs

1. I completed my PhD research at an institution outside the EU. Can I still apply?

No. This award is intended for researchers who were affiliated with a European university during their PhD, and specifically, one of the countries listed in the section ‘who can apply’.

2. I completed my PhD in the EU but am now affiliated with a university outside the EU. Can I still apply?

Yes. As long as you defended your PhD at an institution in one of the listed countries in the section ‘who can apply’, you are eligible to apply.

3. I have not yet defended my PhD thesis. Can I still apply?

If you will not defend your thesis before June 1, 2026, you will not be eligible to apply for this edition of the award.

4. What types of theses are eligible?

Metascience is an interdisciplinary field. PhD theses from the fields of metascience, philosophy of science, scientometrics, sociology of science, methodology and statistics, science policy, or closely related research areas are eligible. Broadly speaking, the focus of research should align with conceptual, descriptive, explanatory, or predictive work that examines the informational value of scientific research.

5. What is the submission deadline?

June 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

6. Can someone else nominate me, or do I need to apply myself?

Only self-nominations are allowed.

7. How will submissions be evaluated?

Jury members will first independently evaluate the thesis for the most impactful contribution to metascience. The jury will then convene to discuss their assessments and attempt to reach a consensus decision. If consensus cannot be achieved after discussion, a formal vote will be held. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by a random draw.

8. Is there a prize or recognition attached to the award?

The winner will be invited as a keynote speaker at the PMSG Meta Research Symposium on September 25, 2026, and receive the prize money of 1000 euro.

9. When will the winner be announced?

August 15, 2026

10. Is publication of the chapters necessary?

No. The submitted dissertation is evaluated, irrespective of whether any part of it has been published. The dissertation itself will not be made public as part of the award process. However, the winner is expected to give a presentation about their dissertation at the PMGS Meta-Research Symposium.

11. Isn’t it ironic that metascientists create awards, given the current overly individualistic incentive structure in science?

We fully recognize that there are diverse perspectives on whether scientific awards are desirable or not. We respect the diversity in opinion. We believe some early-career researchers value the opportunity to receive an award that recognizes the contribution they have made through their research, and want to make it possible for these early-career metascientists to submit their work for a dissertation award.