Register

Academic Symposium

2027 Best Paper Competition

June 21–22, 2027  •  Lima, Peru

The IFAMA 2027 Best Paper Competition aims to attract and recognize research that distinctively rises above the criteria for the selected paper presentations. We invite authors to submit their best scientific research for the Best Paper Award competition. Best Paper finalists must be registered for the conference and present their research during the Symposium.

See the Best Paper Guidelines →
IFAMA Best Paper Competition

Benefits

01

Brings high-quality finished work to the Symposium.

02

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).

03

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
points
  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
points
  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
points
  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 2027 Best Paper Competition, submit a full manuscript to the Symposium using the Submittable Portal before 13 January, 2027. You will be instructed to self-select for the Best Paper Competition during submission.

Finalists will be notified no later than April 2027 and given time to revise their manuscripts before presenting the papers during the Symposium, June 21–22, 2027.

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

Submittable Portal →

Judges evaluate:

01
The overall quality of the research paper.
02
How the author(s) addressed the concerns of the blind peer reviewers.
03
The quality of the oral presentation.

Scoring Criteria

75
points for the final submitted manuscript
25
points for the oral presentation
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:

Innovation

The manuscript proposes an innovative idea or solution, thereby making a new contribution to the ag sector.

Relevance to Managers

The manuscript presents relevant and valuable solutions to agribusiness managers or management.

Communication/Marketing

The research proposes a novel marketing or communications idea for a product.

Conference Theme

The manuscript focuses on a topic addressed within the 2027 conference theme: “Beyond Resilience: Strategic Adaptability.”

The Best Paper Competition winners will be announced during the Presidential Banquet in Lima, Peru, on June 24, 2027.

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 2027 or early 2028.

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 2027) 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

22 November
Deadline for Early Decision: extended abstracts, full papers, and teaching cases.
13 January
Full papers due. Upload papers through Submittable (Select “Best Paper” option).
Jan—March
Submitted manuscripts begin a “fast track” double-blind peer review process.
20 March
Early Bird Registration for the conference ends.
15—20 April
Authors receive reviewer comments, and the Best Paper finalists are announced.
May
Authors complete revisions to manuscripts based on feedback from reviewers.
21–22 June
Best Paper candidates present their research. Judges attend the oral presentations.
24 June
Best Paper Winners are announced in Lima, Peru during the Presidential Banquet.
July
Papers are submitted to the IFAMR for the double-blind peer review process.
Sept—March
Publication of articles in the IFAMR 2027 Conference Edition.

Best Paper Competition Chair

Ram Acharya

Ram Acharya

Managing Editor of IFAMR

Professor at New Mexico State University, USA

For questions please contact the Best Paper Competition Chair, Ram Acharya, at acharyar@nmsu.edu .

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