The Middle East Studies Association invites submissions of graduate student research papers on any aspect of post 600 CE Middle East studies for the 2024 Graduate Student Paper Prize. The author of the winning paper will be presented with a certificate and $250 cash award at the Awards Ceremony at MESA's annual meeting. In addition, the author is encouraged to submit their winning paper for consideration of publication in the Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES).

Papers will be reviewed using a blind process; therefore, no identifying information should appear anywhere on the student paper. This includes name, institution, advisor's name, etc. on the title page, header, footnote, document file name, etc. Papers will be evaluated according to originality of research and conceptualization (or interpretation), cogency of argument, and clarity of writing.

2024 Submission Guidelines

Complete the submission form below and provide proof of graduate student status (that you were a graduate student who had not yet been awarded a doctoral degree at time paper was written) by asking a faculty member to send in a statement (since it is a blind review it may be sent via email) verifying that the paper was written as a graduate student and was produced between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

The Author's name, as well as any other identifying info, must not appear anywhere on the paper.

The paper must not exceed 7500 words (excluding bibliography/endnotes).

Only one entry per participant is allowed.

The paper must be submitted in English. 

The paper must never have been submitted for publication (nor will be throughout the duration of the competition).

The paper needs to use the following format:

• 8 ½ x 11 paper 
• One-sided
• Standard font (such as Arial or Times Roman)
• Double-spaced
• 1.25” margins
• Black and white 
• IJMES standards for endnotes

Deadline: August 15, 2024

All submission materials should be submitted via the form found below. Please send any questions to [email protected] in the meantime.