Call for Submissions:
2025 NFIB Doctoral Dissertation Award In Entrepreneurship And Independent Business
PURPOSE
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Doctoral Dissertation Award was established by the journal Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice and is now sponsored by the NFIB Research Foundation. It recognizes outstanding doctoral research in the areas of entrepreneurship and independent business.
FOCUS
The NFIB Award targets research on the founding, management, growth, and development of new ventures, such as small businesses, family businesses, and minority businesses, and the support systems (other than venture capital) that facilitate their development. The Award does not target dissertations dealing primarily with high-growth, high-impact ventures (see the Heizer Award Call).
AWARD
The winner receives a cash prize of $2,500 and a plaque commemorating the winner's outstanding research effort.
AWARDING CRITERIA
- Fit with the Focus of the NFIB Award as described above.
- Overall quality in literature survey, model development, hypothesis generation, research design, sample and/or site selection, data gathering methods, variable definition and measurement, data analysis methods, findings and conclusions, limitations, and implications for theory and research in entrepreneurship and independent business.
ELIGIBILITY
The 2025 NFIB Dissertation Award is open to authors who, in the calendar year 2024, completed all requirements for their doctoral degree, as supported by documentation from the awarding institution. This includes any coursework, public defense, revisions, etc. that are required for earning the degree. (Formal ceremonies such as graduation and promotion that are customary, but not required, can take place after 2024). If some requirements have not been completed by 2024, candidates are encouraged to submit for the 2026 competition.
SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS
Submitters should provide electronic documentation of (1) Evidence of completion (see "Eligibility" above) and (2) The following two SEPARATE nomination documents (electronically):
- A cover page containing the dissertation title, the name of the dissertation author, the name of the awarding university, the names and affiliations of all dissertation committee members (including advisor), and the date when the dissertation was officially completed.
- A 500-word dissertation abstract providing a synopsis of the dissertation summary, and a subsequent 20-page dissertation summary including references. NO APPLICANT NAMES OR OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
Both documents should be typed single-spaced with double spacing between paragraphs on 8.5 by 11-inch paper in 12 point New Times Roman font with 1 inch margins all around.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND DATES
Submissions should be sent electronically no later than 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5 hours), January 20, 2025 to askiadopoulou@crimson.ua.edu – Please include in the Email Subject line "2025 NFIB Dissertation Award Submission Materials"
Questions are welcome. Feel free to email ENT Division Chair Elect Vishal Gupta (vkgupta@ua.edu) with your questions.
Finalists will be notified by June 2025. To remain in the NFIB Dissertation Award competition pool, finalists will be required to send a full electronic copy of the dissertation in the exact form it was evaluated for the doctoral degree by a (tight) deadline specified at that point. The winner of the NFIB Award must also provide two print copies of the dissertation.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Authors can submit their work for consideration for ONLY ONE of the ENT Division's dissertation awards. Thus, those who submit for the NFIB Award cannot also be eligible for the Heizer Award and vice versa. It is the submitter's responsibility to submit to the Award which best fits the nominated work.
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Vishal Gupta
Professor
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa AL
(205) 348-8427
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