James R. Snyder Student Paper Award Nomination

This award recognizes excellence in a student research paper advancing an original concept related to project management. Winners are selected based on their research and originality, including developments that will maximize project success.

James R. Snyder Student Paper Award Nomination

This award recognizes excellence in a student research paper advancing an original concept related to project management. Winners are selected based on their research and originality, including developments that will maximize project success.
Selection criteria

Criterion 1

Enriched knowledge by distilling insights from practical experiences.

Criterion 2

Subjected to peer-review in an area that has the potential to contribute to project management practice, including journal articles, conference papers, keynote presentations, and invited contributions.

Criterion 3

Published within the previous two calendar years.

Criterion 4

Presents a pragmatic approach and solutions to current and future project management issues that will maximize project success.

Key dates
3 February 2025 - Nominations open
18 April 2025 - Nominations close
November 2025 - Winners announced

Nominated authors do not need to be PMI members. However, the nominated research paper must be:

  • Written within the last two calendar years while the nominee was a student in good standing at an institute of higher learning
  • An original academic research paper focused on maximizing project success and advancing the project management profession
  • Written by a single author or co-authored with an active faculty advisor (supervisor) at the time of its completion 

Some individuals are ineligible for the award.

  • Current PMI team members
  • Current members of PMI’s Academic Insight Team (AIT)
  • Individuals who have failed to comply with PMI policies and procedures, including PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Current members of PMI/PMIEF’s Board of Directors may not participate in nomination or evaluation.

The nomination package must contain:

  • Basic information, contact details, etc.
  • An explanation of the contribution that this paper makes to advance the project profession and maximize project success (500 word max)
  • Electronic copy of paper (.pdf or .doc)
  • Official transcript or verification of enrollment (.pdf)
  • A resume or CV for the applicant with complete list of publications that specifically contribute to practice (.pdf or .doc)
  • Letter of recommendation from an active advisor (.pdf)

Incomplete, late, or non-English nominations will not be reviewed.

Final selection of the winning paper will be made by a panel of experts in project management.

These experts will place emphasis on:

  • Originality of presented concept(s)
  • Applicability to the field of project management
  • How the concept will maximize project success, including practical applications

Award recipients will be notified via email. PMI reserves the right not to present an award on the basis of papers received.

The James R. Snyder Student Paper Award will be presented at PMI’s Awards Gala taking place at that year’s Global Summit.

The award recipient will be publicized through PMI communication channels and external media after the presentation of the award. The recipient may also coordinate additional publicity with PMI.

Winners of the James R. Snyder Student Paper Award will receive US$500 in total for the paper submitted.

One James R. Snyder Award will be granted annually.

PMI will not reimburse any expense for nomination or presentation materials.

PMI reserves the right within its sole discretion, and at any time up to presentation of the award, to determine that a candidate is or has become ineligible. If this happens, PMI will notify the candidate as soon as possible.

Please send all inquiries to [email protected] FAO Daniel Nicholls.

Nominated authors do not need to be PMI members. However, the nominated research paper must be:

  • Written within the last two calendar years while the nominee was a student in good standing at an institute of higher learning
  • An original academic research paper focused on maximizing project success and advancing the project management profession
  • Written by a single author or co-authored with an active faculty advisor (supervisor) at the time of its completion 

Some individuals are ineligible for the award.

  • Current PMI team members
  • Current members of PMI’s Academic Insight Team (AIT)
  • Individuals who have failed to comply with PMI policies and procedures, including PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Current members of PMI/PMIEF’s Board of Directors may not participate in nomination or evaluation.