The Annual Excellence in Master’s & Doctoral Research Award stands as a pinnacle of recognition, aiming to honor exceptional master’s and doctoral-level research that demonstrates outstanding contributions to its respective field of study. Presented at the esteemed iSCSi conference in 2026, this prestigious award embodies the spirit of fostering innovation, impact, and the growth of emerging researchers.
At its core, the award is a celebration of scholarly brilliance. It seeks to identify and honor doctoral research that surpasses expectations and makes substantial strides in advancing knowledge and understanding. The recognition extends beyond the confines of academia, acknowledging the profound impact that the research has on its field, shaping its trajectory and inspiring future breakthroughs.
Central to the award’s purpose is the fostering of innovation. It serves as a catalyst for creativity, encouraging doctoral researchers to explore uncharted territories and challenge established conventions. By shining a spotlight on innovative research, the award cultivates an environment that stimulates fresh perspectives and novel approaches. It inspires emerging researchers to push the boundaries of their disciplines, sparking transformative ideas that have the potential to revolutionize their fields.
*Dr. Maria Chernigovskaya, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany, Winner of the Annual Excellence Doctoral Research Award 2026 with “From Fragmentation to Formalization: A UML-Based Model for Data Preparation and Management in LLMOps”
Eligibility
Candidates must not have received the Annual Excellence in Master’s & Doctoral Research Award in the past.
The research should be conducted by a Master’s or Doctoral candidate currently enrolled in an accredited university or academic institution, or those who have completed their studies.
Master’s / Ph.D. in the past four years (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026).
The research should be original and innovative, and make a significant contribution to its respective field.
Only completed or to be completed in the current year research projects will be considered, i.e., you must have your Master’s / Ph.D. completed in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, or with a Public Defense Date for early 2027. Works in progress or preliminary results are not eligible.
Co-authored research is acceptable, but the primary contributor must be the doctoral candidate.
All fields and disciplines of iSCSi are welcome. Multi-disciplinary research is also encouraged.
- Application Process by email (secretariat@iscsi-conference.org)
- Fully registered for the conference, selecting the theme “The Annual Excellence in Masters & Doctoral Research Award..
- A declaration that the research is original and the candidate’s own work.
- A brief biography of the candidate, including current academic affiliation, past achievements, and future career plans
- A letter of recommendation from the candidate’s doctoral advisor or a faculty member familiar with the candidate’s work.
- A full research paper was submitted and accepted to the conference, along with any necessary supplementary materials (figures, tables, references).
- An abstract of the research, not exceeding 500 words.
- Submit all documents in a folder in ZIP or RAR format to secretariat@iscsi-conference.org
Evaluation Criteria
- The research submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Originality and Innovation: The research should yield novel ideas, methods, or approaches that have the potential to make substantial advances in the field.
- Rigor: The methodology should be rigorous and robust, clearly justifying the research findings.
Award
The Master’s & Doctoral Best Research Award recipients will receive:
- Key Note position for 2026 editions.
- An opportunity to present their research at the conference (if an in-person or virtual presentation is part of the conference program).
- Publication of their research in the conference proceedings, if not yet published elsewhere,
- An official certificate handed by a renowned professor.
- A commemorative trophy or plaque and a CNN media interview explaining the work developed,
The award will be presented at the annual conference at the Gala Event, and brief words are expected. The decision of the award committee will be final and binding.
Timeline
The application period will open six months before the conference and close three months prior to the conference. The award recipient will be notified before the conference, and the award will be publicly announced at the conference.
Note: The award committee reserves the right not to grant the award in a given year if none of the submissions meet the award standards.
Important dates
-
- Last Deadline for paper submission: TBD
-
- Last Notification of acceptance/rejection: TBD
-
- Last Revised Version / Camera Ready: TBD
-
- Conference: May 2027
Media and Affiliation Partner
