The Canadian Purchasing Research Foundation (CPRF) has launched a new student award for best research paper in Canadian supply chain management.

The top submission will get $2,000, with second and third getting $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

“The new awards will recognize research that expands the knowledge base in purchasing and supply chain management and helps to influence strategic business practices,” says CPRF president Don Patterson. “At the same time, they are meant to encourage graduate students to focus their education in supply chain management and increase the number of academics specializing in the field at Canadian universities.”

Open to Masters and PhD students at any Canadian university, the awards will honour research focused on leading-edge developments, best practices or innovation. Evaluation criteria include relevance and usefulness for supply chain practitioners and overall contribution to the field of practice. Papers are to be 3,000-5,000 words in length. Deadline for submission is April 1.

CPRF also provides research grants of up to $15,000 to qualified researchers holding a PhD and a position at a Canadian university. Proposals are reviewed twice a year after May 1 and November 1.

Graduate students at Canadian universities writing their thesis in purchasing and supply chain management are also eligible for funding from CPRF. Annually, $15,000 is earmarked for one PhD candidate and $2,000 for each of two Masters candidates. Scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis and proposals are reviewed as they are received.

The Canadian Purchasing Research Foundation (CPRF) is a non-profit organization established in 1996 by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada to support and promote research and education in the field of purchasing and supply chain management.

For more information, contact the Canadian Purchasing Research Foundation.