SOA Actuarial Science Early Career Research Award
Purpose:
The Early Career Research Award is intended to encourage researchers to contribute to the field of actuarial science and to set examples of excellent actuarial research in colleges and universities. This award recognizes individuals for their exceptional scientific contributions in actuarial science at the early stages of their academic career.
At the Society of Actuaries (SOA), our goal is for all members and candidates to feel fully included and have equitable opportunities to enter, develop, grow and succeed in our chosen profession. We seek, welcome and nurture individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that represent the diversity of the workforce and thereby maximize the influence of the actuarial profession. In line with these values, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Eligibility:
Individuals who meet the following requirements may apply:
- Must be within ten years from the start of the first full-time academic appointment including a post-doctoral position.
- Evidence of strong publications on actuarial science topics in peer-reviewed journals with potential impact on industrial applications.
- Hold a credential from an IAA member organization or demonstrate continuing progress towards actuarial professional credentials.
- Applicants from all over the world are encouraged to apply.
Candidates need to self-nominate. A doctoral degree is not required to be eligible. Past winners cannot compete in the program.
Application:
Applicants must submit the following documentation:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Personal statement that highlights your research achievements, describes your past accomplishments, current work, and future long-term plans, and is limited to three pages. The Selection Committee seeks to assess your potential to become an internationally recognized leader in your research area. Leadership can also be substantiated through evidence of outstanding service and teaching, particularly as it relates to research.
- Two letters of recommendation on the candidate’s research achievements emailed directly from the recommender to sections@soa.org.
The selection committee seeks informed insights on the candidate's contributions to important research themes and how they will potentially impact the actuarial profession. Recommenders should note that the Selection Committee is familiar with actuarial journal quality, the significance of research grant accomplishments, and the importance of prestigious conference participation. - All application materials must be written in English.
- Apply between February 15 and April 30, 2024.
Award:
One Recipient will be selected to receive a $5,000 USD award. All federal, state, provincial and local taxes on the award, if any, and other expenses related to accepting the award is the sole responsibility of the Recipient.
Selection:
Recipients are selected annually based on individual merit, regardless of race, sex, age, etc.
Consideration will be given to:
- Candidate’s research track record in actuarial science.
- Candidate’s ability to conduct independent research and to lead collaboration with academics and practitioners.
- The quality of research work. The evaluation is not based on the number of papers or the number of citations, but rather the potential impact of research work to theoretical or practical aspects of actuarial science.
- The SOA Education and Research section council retain the right of not giving this award if the selection committee deems, at its sole discretion, that no candidate meets the award criteria.
2024 Selection Committee
Wai-Sum Chan, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Ian Duncan, University of California, Santa Barbara
Edward (Jed) Frees, University of Wisconsin-Madison & Australian National University
Mary Hardy, University of Waterloo
Virginia (Jenny) Young, University of Michigan
Past Award Winners
Ruodu Wang, 2021 (Article)
Tim Boonen, 2022 (Press Release) and (Article)
Wenjun Zhu, 2023 (Press Release)
Key Dates:
- April 30, 2024: The completed application and required documentation must be received at the SOA.
- June/July: The award recipient is contacted and must notify SOA within 2 weeks to accept the award.
- July/August: The award recipient is publicly announced.
Contact:
For any questions concerning this award, please contact sections@soa.org.
The personal information collected through this award is subject to Society of Actuaries' Privacy Policy. By submitting an application to this award, you agree to the use of your personal information as described in the above Privacy Policy.