Benefits

• Brings high-quality finished work to the Symposium
• Facilitates scholarship efficiency by simultaneously giving scholars a presentation, a completed manuscript, a manuscript under review, and the potential for publishing the manuscript in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review (IFAMR)
• Best paper award winners are recognized during the conference and receive a certificate and a trophy.

Evaluation and Review

The manuscript will undergo a comprehensive “quick-turnaround,” double-blind peer review managed by the Symposium Chairs and IFAMR Editorial Team. Submitted papers are evaluated and scored on a numerical system based on the following: 

Introduction (20)

1. The research questions and hypotheses are clearly stated.
2. The goals and specific objectives of the research are clearly presented.
3. The study includes an extensive literature review on the topic
4. The study identifies a significant gap in the literature and attempts to fill the gap

Method and Results (40)

1. The research is grounded in a sound theoretical or conceptual framework
2. The methodology is clearly described and appropriate for addressing the research objectives
3. The results are clearly described, logically interpreted, and supported by evidence
4. The study recognizes its limitations and draws plausible policy implications

Conclusion (15)

1. The paper draws reasonable conclusions that are clearly explained
2. The significance and applicability of the results are discussed
3. The paper is well written and advances knowledge in agribusiness and food systems.

Submission

To enter the Best Paper Competition, submit a full manuscript to the Symposium using the Submittable Portal before 13 January, 2026. You will be instructed to self-select for the Best Paper Competition during submission.

Finalists will be notified no later than April 2026 and given time to revise their manuscripts before presenting the papers during the Symposium between 15–16 June, 2026.

During the Symposium, judges will attend the in-person presentations of finalists and evaluate both the research and presenter in the following areas: 

1. the overall quality of the research paper
2. how the author(s) addressed the concerns of the blind peer reviewers
3. the quality of the oral presentation. 

Scoring Criteria

The overall quality of the final submitted manuscript will be evaluated using a 75-point scale (i.e., 20 points for the introduction, 40 points for the methods and results, and 15 points for the conclusion). The quality of the oral presentation will be evaluated using a 25-point scale.

Awards will be given in one or more of the following categories:

1. Innovation   The manuscript proposes an innovative idea or solution, thereby making a new contribution to the ag sector.
2. Relevance to Managers   The manuscript presents relevant and valuable solutions to agribusiness managers or management. 
3. Communication/Marketing   The research proposes a novel marketing or communications idea for a product.
4. Conference Theme   The manuscript focuses on a topic addressed within the 2026 conference theme: “Rooted in Resilience: Revitalizing Agri-Food Systems for an Uncertain Tomorrow.” 

The Best Paper Competition winners will be announced during the Presidential Banquet in Cork, Ireland, on 18 June, 2026.

Publication

All published articles in the IFAMR Conference Edition will be assessed using the standard article publication charge of 1500 Euros. However, IFAMA will award partial waivers of the publication fee to Best Paper winners. Publication is expected in Q4 of 2026 or early 2027.

Please use the IFAMR Submission Guidelines when preparing full papers for submission. Once the Best Paper Competition is completed, authors should submit the full paper through the IFAMR Submission Portal immediately following the conference (early July 2026) to begin the fast-track review process by the IFAMR Editorial Team.

All Best Paper finalists are invited to publish their manuscripts for inclusion in the IFAMR Special Conference Edition or a regular issue of the IFAMR. Manuscript acceptance and the exact timing of publication are contingent on the authors sufficiently addressing the feedback on time (including any revisions and edits) given by the IFAMR reviewers and the IFAMR editorial team. However, this will be a fast-track process.

Best Paper Submission, Review, and Publication Timeline