QoG Institute at the University of Gothenburg · Gothenburg, Sweden
Applications are open for the Quality of Government (QoG) Institute Best Paper Award 2026, an academic research award offered by the QoG Institute at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The award recognises outstanding research on the quality of government, with particular emphasis on theoretical and empirical contributions to understanding impartiality in the exercise of public power.
The award is open to eligible doctoral researchers and established academics whose papers investigate issues related to government institutions, governance, public administration, political behaviour and institutional integrity. Researchers from different academic disciplines and methodological backgrounds are welcome to submit relevant work, provided it meets the award's publication or presentation requirements.
The QoG Institute's research agenda examines how public institutions operate and how impartiality can be undermined by corruption, clientelism, favouritism, discrimination, patronage, nepotism and undue influence from special interest groups. Through this award, the institute seeks to recognise research that advances knowledge of these issues and contributes to a better understanding of how governments can function fairly and effectively.
The Quality of Government Institute is based at the University of Gothenburg and conducts research into the causes, characteristics and consequences of the quality of government. Its work places particular emphasis on impartiality, understood as the fair and consistent exercise of public authority without favouritism or discrimination.
The Best Paper Award is an annual initiative designed to recognise high quality academic work that makes significant theoretical or empirical contributions to this research agenda. Eligible submissions may examine governance from political, economic, sociological, administrative or other relevant perspectives.
Papers can be based on qualitative research, quantitative analysis or other suitable methodological approaches. The award is not restricted to a single discipline or research method, allowing scholars to contribute different perspectives on institutional performance, public integrity and impartial governance.
To qualify for the 2026 award, a paper must have been published as a journal article, book chapter or working paper in a university or another recognised working paper series, or presented at an international academic conference between September 2025 and September 2026.
• A one week visit to the QoG Institute at the University of Gothenburg as a guest scholar.
• Coverage of travel costs to and from Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Accommodation in Gothenburg during the visit.
• An opportunity to present the winning paper or related ongoing research.
• Academic engagement with researchers working on the quality of government and related topics.
• Professional visibility for research making important theoretical or empirical contributions to governance studies.
Submissions should address a topic connected to the quality of government, particularly the impartial exercise of public power. Relevant themes include:
• Corruption and public sector integrity.
• Clientelism and patronage in political and administrative institutions.
• Favouritism and nepotism in public decision making.
• Discrimination and unequal treatment by government institutions.
• Undue influence and preferential treatment of special interest groups.
• Institutional impartiality, public administration and government performance.
• Theoretical and empirical explanations of the quality of government.
Researchers may use any methodological approach that is appropriate to their research questions and contributes to understanding one or more of these themes.
Applicants and nominated authors must meet the following requirements:
• Be enrolled in a PhD programme or hold a higher academic rank, such as a postdoctoral researcher or a more senior academic position.
• Submit a paper addressing a topic related to the quality of government and the impartial exercise of public power.
• Ensure that the paper was published or presented at an international academic conference between September 2025 and September 2026.
• Ensure that the paper has been published as an article, book chapter or working paper in a university or another recognised working paper series, where applicable.
• Submit no more than one paper per author.
• Provide a motivation statement of no more than one page explaining why the paper merits consideration.
• Submit all required documents in PDF format.
Both self nominations and nominations submitted by other individuals are accepted. Authors who nominate their own work must also provide the required motivation statement.
Applicants should prepare the following materials:
• Research paper: A complete copy of the eligible paper in PDF format, with a maximum length of 12,000 words, excluding references and appendices.
• Anonymised manuscript: The author's name and other identifying details must not appear anywhere in the main text.
• Consistent referencing: References must follow a standard and consistent citation style.
• Tables and figures: Tables, graphs, images and other relevant visual materials must be included within the body of the paper.
• Motivation statement: A statement of no more than one page explaining why the paper should be considered for the award. This is required for both self nominations and nominations made by others.
Applicants should review the paper carefully before submission to ensure that it satisfies the word limit, formatting requirements and anonymisation rules.
Submissions will be assessed by a panel of referees from the QoG Institute. The award is intended for research that demonstrates outstanding quality through its theoretical and empirical contributions.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their papers make a clear contribution to understanding the quality of government and address a relevant research question. The paper should present its arguments, evidence and findings clearly, with a consistent academic structure and appropriate methodology.
The motivation statement should explain the significance of the work and why it deserves recognition. Although the institute welcomes different methodological approaches, the research must have a clear connection to its agenda on impartiality in the exercise of public power.
Gothenburg, Sweden
QoG Institute at the University of Gothenburg
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