How to apply: The Grigor McClelland Doctoral Dissertation Award

Grigor McClelland Doctoral Dissertation Award 2026 

The Grigor McClelland Doctoral Dissertation Award celebrates imaginative and original doctoral research in management and organisation studies. Supported by the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies (SAMS), the award offers £5,000 to the winner and £1,000 to each finalist. 

SAMS is a charitable organisation dedicated to advancing capacity in business and management research. The award honours Grigor McClelland, founder of SAMS and founding editor of the Journal of Management Studies (JMS), whose legacy continues to inspire bold and intellectually adventurous scholarship. 

Scope 

The award celebrates and promotes innovative doctoral research (PhD and DBA) that is original, bold, and intellectually adventurous. Open to all topics and methods within management and organisation studies, it recognises work that explores new terrain, challenges conventional thinking, and demonstrates the potential for meaningful impact on managerial practice and society. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the 2026 Grigor McClelland Doctoral Dissertation Award, candidates must have completed their doctoral dissertation and received the final award of their PhD or DBA in 2025. 

Applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed online application form
2. A digital copy of their entire dissertation in English
3. An extended abstract of up to 5 pages, single-spaced, (any tables or references are included in the page limit). The abstract should:

• summarise the thesis and detail the originality of the theory development and empirical results as well as the implications for research and practice. 
• be a separate document that does not mention the author’s name, degree-granting university, or current employment. 
• identify the 3 to 5 most important/key findings. 
• not state that some sections of the dissertation have been published, reviewed favourably by journals, or submitted for publication. 

4. Proof of final award of their qualification (certificate or transcript)
5. A supporting statement from their supervisor

Judging Process and Award Announcement 

Shortlisting and selection will be conducted by a panel of senior scholars in management and organisation studies, representing SAMS. The judging process consists of three key phases: 

1. Initial Review: The panel evaluates extended abstracts to create a shortlist. 
2. Thesis Assessment: Full theses of shortlisted candidates are reviewed to identify three finalists. 
3. Final Selection: The award is granted to the dissertation that, in the panel’s view, demonstrates true originality and significance in theoretical development, alongside methodological rigour or impactful empirical insights. 

The winner will be announced during a dedicated session at the 2026 EURAM Conference in Kristiansand, Norway. Finalists will present their research during this session. 

To support attendance, reasonable expenses including travel, accommodation, and subsistence will be reimbursed after the event.