Research magazine Award for Research Breakthrough

Each year sees new developments and initiatives which have the potential to redefine the way we view the industry.

This award – new in 2008 – is intended to single out the individual, the company, the product or the process which has led to the most significant recent breakthrough in the research industry.

Who should apply?

Anyone working in the market research arena who can demonstrate that a real breakthrough has been achieved as a result of their work during the 12 months running up to 01 July 2009.

What will the judges be looking for?

Depending on the nature of the submission (individual or company, product, technique or service) the judges will consider the following when judging entries:

innovation and creative thinking
establishment of a new product or technique (or development of an existing one) which extends the limits of current thinking
creation of a new business unit or service which looks beyond traditional research boundaries
work or activity from an individual or organisation which have prompted an industry step change
bottom-line results based on this breakthrough

An indication of the impact that the breakthrough will have and how it is set to challenge and change the industry in the future.

How to apply

Only email applications in the required format will be considered for this award.

Download and complete the Word document Research Breakthrough Entry and Submission Forms – these two forms will constitute your award application.
Keep a copy of both forms for your records – including the Rules of Entry for this award.
Send your two forms as attachments in an email with Research Breakthrough Entry 2009 in the subject line to researchawards@mrs.org.uk.
Your entry must reach us by 5 pm on Friday 31 July 2009.
We will invoice you for the entry fee once your application has been processed.

Submission Format

Basis of submission: 500 words (max) Statement supporting your case plus specific additiional information.

The key is the breakthrough itself – how it was achieved, the challenges it meets and the potential impact that it could have on the future direction of the research industry.

In addition to your Statement:

Entries from individuals: you may also include up to three short (100 words max) anecdotes from clients or senior manager to support your case.
Entries from a company/organisation: in addition to your Statement you must specifiy:
- date of incorporation (in the case of a business entry)
- numbers employed (split between executive and support staff)
- fees and profit data for two years (where possible)

Rules of entry – Research Breakthrough

All entries must be emailed using the relevant Word document Entry and Submission Forms, to reach MRS by 5pm on Friday 31 July 2009. No extensions will be granted.
The ‘breakthrough’ must have been made during the 12 months running up to 01 July 2009.
Your entry will be judged on the merits of the case you make on the Submission Form.
You must nominate a primary contact on your Entry Form who will take overall responsibility for the entry.
The primary contact must ensure that permission to enter the Awards is obtained from all parties involved in the submission.
Entries must not overtly ‘sell’ any organisation. Company logos are acceptable.
The judges’ decisions are final and the Panel will not enter into correspondence about them.
Submission content will remain confidential to the Judging Panels and MRS; specific permission to publish any information at a later date will always be sought from the entrants.

There is an entry fee for this award. You will be invoiced once your entry has been processed. Failure to pay by 01 September 2009 will cancel your application.

One ticket to the Research Awards Dinner in December will be allocated per shortlisted entry. Additional tickets can be purchased nearer the time at the standard advertised price.

Hints from the judging panel

Ask yourself is it really a breakthrough or just incremental change. We had a lot of the latter last year and this year we are looking for something that has - or has the potential - to really shake up the market.

Download forms

Previous Awards winners.

Back to Research Awards 2009

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