We are pleased to announce the Fourth Edition of the Best Paper Prize in Public Policy Evaluation, in conjunction with the course “Panel Data for Causal Research Designs”, organised by the Italian Econometric Association (SIdE-IEA) and the Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies (FBK-IRVAPP).
The prize is named in honour of Beniamino “Nino” Andreatta (1928–2007), economist and statesman, whose work combined academic rigour with a strong commitment to the public interest and institutional reform. A prominent figure from Trentino with a long-standing connection to Bruno Kessler and FBK, he exemplifies the values of serious, methodologically sound public policy evaluation promoted by FBK-IRVAPP.
Previous Winners:
- First Edition: “What Do NEETs Need? The Joint Effect of Active and Passive Labor Market Policies” by Francesco Filippucci. Read the press release here
- Second Edition: “Place-Based Industrial Policies and Local Agglomeration in the Long Run” by Lorenzo Incoronato and Salvatore Lattanzio. Read the press release here
- Third edition: “Broadcasting Change: India’s Community Radio Policy and Women’s Empowerment” by Felix Rusche. Read the press release here
What does the prize consist of?
The Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies (IRVAPP) at the Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) will award a prize of 1,000 EUR for the best paper in Policy Evaluation.
In addition to the monetary prize, the author of the winning paper will be invited to present his or her paper during the “Panel Data for Causal Research Designs” course, which will be held in Bertinoro from the 29th of June to 3rd of July 2026.
Who can apply?
We welcome papers by doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, or assistant professors from any kind of institution.
Co-authored papers are accepted, provided that all co-authors are doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, or assistant professors.
Each applicant may submit one paper only.
Only unpublished papers (working papers or papers still in print) are eligible.
Submitted papers are expected to apply counterfactual techniques to public policy evaluation. The winning paper will be innovative and thorough, both methodologically and substantively, opening or advancing the debate on a particular public policy or issue, irrespective of the context or scale.
The papers must be written in English.
Papers submitted in the previous editions are not eligible.
How to apply?
Applicants should apply by:
- filling out the following form: link
- submitting the following items to advancedirvapp@fbk.eu:
- The paper that is to be considered for the award
- Curriculum vitae of the applicant
The deadline to submit applications is the 10th of April 2026. Applications may only be submitted electronically (via email) and must be in English. Please send your application by email to advancedirvapp@fbk.eu.
How is the prize awarded?
As the IRVAPP-Advanced School concerns mainly methodological issues papers will be judged according to two criteria: i) their methodological soundness, as evaluated by the internal jury, ii) their innovative approach, both methodologically and in terms of the research question undertaken.
The applications will be evaluated by an internal jury and the decision on the winner of the prize will be announced by 10th of June 2026.
