The WTO has issued a call for proposals for the new WTO Trade Economist Thematic Award. Trade experts from universities in developing countries are invited to submit case studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade and trade policy. The winning paper will be rewarded with a prize of 5,000 chf. Papers must be submitted by 30 September 2020.

Economic research
COVID-19 and world trade
Information for students and young professionals
WTO Seating Programme
The WTO is launching the new Trade Economist Thematic Award in response to the urgent need to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected trade and supply chains. The submissions are expected to provide important information on how countries' trade policy responses are coping with the disruptions caused by the crisis.

The case studies must address one of the following themes:

trade policy responses to COVID-19, their design and effectiveness
the impact of measures adopted during the pandemic on trade in goods and services
trade policy and trade effects of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized enterprises, women and rural areas.
Winning role
The winning paper will receive a prize of 5,000 chf and will be published in the WTO Working Paper series. The authors of the selected papers will be invited to present their work at a WTO webinar.

Selection Committee
The panel responsible for selecting the winning document is made up of members of the WTO Chairs Programme Advisory Board and the Director of the WTO's Economic Research and Statistics Division ex-officio.

Eligibility
The papers submitted should be country or sector specific, preferably using a theoretical and empirical approach that combines rigorous research with specific information on trade policy responses to the crisis.

Trade specialists at universities in developing countries can contribute articles. The author(s) of the article must hold or be engaged in the completion of a doctorate/master's degree. The academic institution awarding the degree must be located in developing countries that are members or observers of the WTO. In the case of co-authored articles, this requirement applies to all authors. In addition, to be considered for the award, papers must not exceed 15,000 words.

Deadlines
Entries must be submitted by 30 September 2020. The selection panel will make a final decision by 15 December 2020. Only the authors of the shortlisted works will be notified.

Submissions
Submissions should be sent to TETA@wto.org. They should include as separate attachments in PDF format: 1. the paper; 2. the CV of the author(s), specifying current affiliation and the academic institution awarding the degree.

Source: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news20_e/rese_26aug20_e.htm