Section awards are presented at the State Politics & Policy Conference. The 2027 Awards will be presented at 2027 SPPC in Buffalo, New York. A listing of the Section’s awards can be accessed at the link below:
APSA State Politics and Policy Section Awards
The deadline for nominations will be announced in Fall 2026.
Contact details for awards committee members will eventually be found here: APSA Section Webpage
To learn more about any award, please contact the listed committee chair.
Best Journal Article Award
The award recognizes the best journal article on U.S. state politics or policy published during the previous calendar year in any peer-reviewed journal. (Book reviews, review essays, and chapters published in edited volumes are not eligible).
Career Achievement Award
The Career Achievement Award given annually to a political scientist who has made a significant lifetime contribution to the study of politics and public policies in the American states.
Virginia Gray Book Award
To be awarded annually to the best political science book published on the subject of U.S. state politics or policy. The Virginia Gray award now has a one-year eligibility window. The 2027 award will be given to books with a copyright of 2026.
Emerging Scholar Award
This annual award is given to the top scholar in the field of state politics and policy who is within 10 years of earning a PhD.
Christopher Z. Mooney Best Dissertation Prize
This award is given for the best dissertation in American state politics and policy completed during the previous calendar year. The winner receives a plaque and $1000.
Mac Jewell Enduring Contribution Award
This award is given to the author(s) of a political science book or article on the subject of U.S. state politics or policy published at least 10 years prior to the award being bestowed that stands as an enduring contribution to the literature.
State Politics and Policy Quarterly (SPPQ) Best Paper Award
The State Politics and Policy Award is given for the best paper on state politics and policy presented at any professional meeting in the previous calendar year.
Best Graduate Student Paper Award
The State Politics and Policy Award is given for the best paper on state politics and policy written solely by graduate student authors and presented at any professional meeting in the previous calendar year.
SPPC Best Graduate Student Poster Award
This annual award is given to the author(s) of the best graduate student poster at SPPC. The SPPC hosts shall be responsible for organizing the poster session and selecting the award winner. The Section shall pay for a plaque commemorating the award.
Service Award
The Service Award recognizes service to the section in the literal sense, as in service on committees and in leadership positions, as well as service within the Section, as in service to the profession within the field of state politics and policy in the form of archiving data, promoting infrastructure, representing the profession in the media, etc.
Carsey Awards
These awards are given to support graduate student participation in the State Politics and Policy Conference.