The MEI Student Paper Prize will recognize one outstanding research paper written by a student in any NUS degree-granting program on a topic that addresses a significant issue related to the Middle East or to Middle East-Asia relations. The paper may treat any of a broad range of issues and be informed by any theoretical approach or discipline. Generally, the topic of the paper should comport to one of three broad subject areas: (1) Middle East Politics & Regional Security, (2) Political Economy & Business, or (3) Society & Culture.

Papers will be assessed by a select group of faculty using a blind review process (the author’s name will not be made known to the reviewers). Reviewers will judge the paper based upon quality and originality. Assessment of quality is based upon a well-formatted paper that makes a clear argument using primary and secondary sources to support the argument. Originality is exhibited by the adoption of a critical approach that treats a topic in a new way. The winner of the MEI Student Paper Prize will receive $1,000, will be acknowledged by MEI on its website, and will be considered for publication.

Rules for submission:

1. The paper must be an original creation of the author, and not have been previously submitted for publication.

2. The paper must be between 3,000 and 5,000 words (excluding bibliography).

3. The paper’s author must be an NUS student actively pursuing his or her undergraduate degree.

4. The paper must be submitted by 1 May 2012 to the Middle East Institute in electronic format (PDF format is preferred) to meisc@nus.edu.sg.