Peter Kong-ming New Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Society for Applied Anthropology

Overview

The Peter Kong-ming New Student Research Competition is an annual award administered by the Society for Applied Anthropology to recognize outstanding student research in the applied social and behavioral sciences. It honors Peter Kong-ming New, a medical sociologist-anthropologist and former SfAA president, for his work applying social science to health care and human services. The competition is supported by his family to promote the next generation of applied social scientists. Submissions must focus on research related to health care or human services and reflect original fieldwork.

Description: Annual student competition recognizing exemplary, unpublished field research in applied social and behavioral sciences with emphasis on health care and human services.

• Awards recognize original, single-authored student research projects.
• Focus on applied problems in health care and human services.
• Competition supports early-career development in applied social science.

Eligibility

The competition is open to students enrolled at the undergraduate or graduate level during the calendar year prior to the award presentation. Individuals who hold a doctorate are not eligible. Submissions must be single-authored and based on original, unpublished field research in the social sciences. Prior first- and second-place winners are excluded from future competitions to preserve opportunities for new entrants.

Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the year before the award; doctorate holders and previous first- and second-place winners are ineligible.

• Enrollment in the prior calendar year is required.
• Doctorate holders may not apply.
• Entries must be single-authored, original, and unpublished field research.

Selection Criteria

Papers are evaluated on the quality and rigor of their research design, the clarity of analysis and presentation, originality, and the contribution they make to applied social sciences. Reviewers assess methodological soundness and the relevance of findings to health care or human services practice and policy. The process emphasizes both scholarly merit and applied significance. Final decisions prioritize work that advances understanding and practical applications in the field.

Criteria: Submissions are judged on originality, research design and methods, clarity of analysis and presentation, and contribution to applied social sciences.

1. Originality
2. Research design and methods
3. Clarity of analysis and presentation
4. Contribution to applied social sciences

• Both methodological rigor and practical relevance matter.
• Clear presentation and analysis strengthen a submission.
• Original contributions to applied work are prioritized.

Award Benefits

The competition awards cash prizes, travel stipends, and meeting lodging to top finishers to support dissemination of student research. First, second, and third places receive scaled cash awards plus a travel stipend and two nights’ lodging at the SfAA Annual Meeting. The top prize also includes an engraved Steuben crystal trophy to recognize excellence. These benefits are intended to facilitate presentation and broader visibility for winning research.

Award Value: Monetary prizes, travel support, and meeting lodging are provided to first, second, and third place winners.

First Place: $3,000, an engraved Steuben crystal trophy, $350 travel stipend, and two nights’ lodging at the SfAA Annual Meeting

Second Place: $1,500, $350 travel stipend, and two nights’ lodging

Third Place: $750, $350 travel stipend, and two nights’ lodging

• Monetary awards scale by placement (first through third).
• All winners receive a travel stipend and lodging for the SfAA meeting.
• First place includes a commemorative trophy in addition to monetary support.

Presentation and Publication Requirements

Winning submissions have dissemination obligations to ensure their research reaches professional audiences. The first-place recipient is required to present the paper at the SfAA Annual Meeting. That paper must also be submitted to Human Organization for review and potential publication, following journal editorial processes. These requirements support peer review and wider impact of the awarded research.

Presentation and Publication: First-place winners must present at the SfAA Annual Meeting and submit their paper to Human Organization for review and possible publication.

• Presentation at the SfAA Annual Meeting is mandatory for first place.
• Submission to Human Organization subjects the work to peer review for potential publication.
• Requirements promote dissemination and scholarly validation of winning work.