The Jan Tinbergen Award

The ISI Jan Tinbergen Award is named after the renowned Dutch econometrician and Nobel Prize laureate Jan Tinbergen and is sponsored by the Dutch Stichting Internationaal Statistisch Studiefonds (International Statistical Study Fund Foundation). The Foundation supports the development of statistics in countries with limited statistical infrastructure.

In line with this mission, the Award contributes to two core objectives of the International Statistical Institute: fostering the professional development of young statisticians and strengthening statistical capacity.

The ISI Jan Tinbergen Award is presented for the best paper submitted by a young statistician in connection with the biennial ISI World Statistics Congress. The theme of the Award is Statistical Systems. The winner receives a cash prize and financial support to attend the Congress and present the paper.

About the Award

The ISI Jan Tinbergen Award aims to:

• Support young statisticians in presenting their work at an international level.
• Promote research that strengthens statistical systems and statistical capacity.
• Encourage work relevant to countries with limited statistical infrastructure.
• Foster engagement with the global statistical community.
• Recognise outstanding contributions by young statisticians in the field of statistical systems

The Award promotes both scientific excellence and the strengthening of statistical capacity worldwide.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements may vary for each call. In general, applicants must:

• Be born in 1995 or later (or as specified in the call)
• Submit an original, unpublished paper written in English
• Submit a paper of 3 and 7 pages
• Ensure that all co-authors, if any, also meet the age requirement.
• Demonstrate the relevance of the paper to statistical systems and the strengthening of statistical capacity.

Previous winners of the Award are not eligible, including as co-authors.

Applicants must also submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and a brief motivation statement through the online submission system.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by an international Selection Committee appointed by the ISI Executive Committee. Assessment criteria may include:

• Scientific quality and originality.  
• Relevance to statistical systems and statistical capacity.
• Potential contribution to strengthening statistical capacity.
• The applicant's motivation and overall academic profile.

Applications are first checked for eligibility by the ISI Permanent Office before being forwarded to the Selection Committee. Committee members independently review and rank the submissions. The Chair consolidates the results and submits the final recommendation.

All applicants are notified of the outcome by email.

What the Award May Include

Award support varies depending to the Congress and funding arrangements but may include:

• Cash prize of €2,500.
• Complimentary World Statistics Congress registration.  
• Economy-class round-trip airfare.
• Per diem for five nights covering accommodation, meals and incidental expenses
• Visa-related costs where applicable

For co-authored papers, travel support is provided to one author. The cash prize may be shared among the co-authors.

Current Opportunities

Please see current call for available ISI Jan Tinbergen Award opportunity.