Research Awards

Grants for Research

AAA Research Fellowship Grants - Winners (Detailed Instructions)

Members of the Academy are eligible to apply for annual research fellowship grants offered by the AAA. Grants are available to both junior and senior faculty members, and submissions are evaluated by the AAA Research Committee. Winners are expected to grant the Journal of Advertising (JA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIAD) the right of first refusal on the primary paper resulting from the research. Recipients will receive half of the award at the time of selection and the other half when the paper is submitted to the JA, JCIRA, or JIAD.

Proposals must be submitted to the Chair of the Research Committee. Receipt of submissions will be confirmed via email. Submissions will be accepted only electronically via email to the Chair of the Research Committee. Winners will be notified in early 2026. The awards will be announced at the 2026 AAA Conference. The AAA Research Fellowship Grants deadline is 5 pm EST on Friday, September 12, 2025.

AAA Doctoral Dissertation Grant Competition - Winners (Detailed Instructions)

The American Academy of Advertising Doctoral Dissertation Grant Competition exists to promote doctoral research in advertising. Any topic in advertising may be addressed. Winners are expected to grant the Journal of Advertising (JA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIAD) the right of first refusal on any papers resulting from the dissertation. Recipients will receive half of the award at the time of selection and the other half when the dissertation is defended successfully.

The submission package – including the proposal and letter of endorsement - must be received by the Chair of the Research Committee. Receipt of submissions will be confirmed via email. Submissions will be accepted only electronically via email to the Chair of the Research Committee. Winners will be notified in early 2026. The awards will be announced at the 2026 AAA Conference. The 2026 AAA Doctoral Dissertation Grant Competition deadline is 5 pm EST on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

AAA Non-Dissertation Research Grant for Graduate Students - Winners (Detailed Instructions)

The American Academy of Advertising Non-Dissertation Research Grant promotes doctoral students’ research in advertising. Any topic in advertising may be addressed. Winners are expected to grant the Journal of Advertising (JA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIAD) the right of first refusal on any papers resulting from the dissertation. Recipients will receive half of the award at the time of selection and the other half of the award when the completed paper is submitted to the JA, JCIRA, or JIAD.

The submission package – including the proposal and letter of endorsement - must be received by the Chair of the Research Committee. Receipt of submissions will be confirmed via email. Submissions will be accepted only electronically via email to the Chair of the Research Committee. Winners will be notified in early 2026. The awards will be announced at the 2026 AAA Conference. The 2026 AAA Non-Dissertation Research Grant deadline is 5 pm EST on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

S. Watson Dunn Memorial Fund Grant - Winners (Detailed Instructions)

This award, established in memory of S. Watson Dunn, is intended to fund future graduate student research projects in the area of global advertising. The Research Committee reviews competitive research proposals submitted by AAA members. Proposals must be received by the Chair of the Research Committee. Receipt of submissions will be confirmed via email. Submissions will be accepted only electronically via email to the Chair of the Research Committee. Winners will be notified in early 2026. The awards will be announced at the 2026 AAA Conference. The 2026 S. Watson Dunn Memorial Fund Grant deadline is 5 pm EST on Saturday, November 1, 2025. 

AAA Best Purpose Advertising Conference Paper Award Competition – Winners (Detailed Instructions)

The American Academy of Advertising (AAA) Best Purpose Advertising Conference Paper Award Competition promotes strategic communication research that positively impacts purpose goals. Purpose advertising employs strategies and campaigns that highlight a company’s dedication to social, ethical, or environmental causes, rather than merely promoting their products or services. Purpose requires advertising and strategic communication practitioners to think beyond the traditional outcomes of sales, message exposure, and public opinion, but to align the brand with values that resonate with consumers, thereby fostering deeper connections and loyalty, and making a positive contribution to society. The 2026 AAA Best Purpose Advertising Conference Paper Award deadline is October 1, 2025.

AAA Temerlin Advertising Institute Grant for Industry Self-Regulation & Socially Responsible Advertising Practices Submission – (Detailed Instructions)

The American Academy of Advertising announces the Temerlin Advertising Institute research grant for professors, advertising professionals, and doctoral students, undertaking research focused on Industry Self-Regulation and Socially Responsible Advertising Practices. The focus of the research must be in line with stated conceptual definitions (see below) but in general should advance our knowledge and practice of Industry Self-Regulation and Socially Responsible Advertising Practices with the potential for publication in the Journal of Advertising (JA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIAD). The 2026 AAA Temerlin Advertising Institute Grant deadline is November 1, 2025.

Please email your submission materials and all questions to the Chair of the AAA Research Committee.

Dr. Mark Yim

Email: [email protected]

AAA-EAA Collaborative Research Competition (Detailed Instructions)

The American Academy of Advertising – European Advertising Academy Research Fellowship Competition intends to promote collaborations between the American Academy of Advertising (AAA) and European Advertising Academy (EAA) scholars and advertising professionals, offering funding for research and travel to international conferences (AAA, ICORIA) to present research resulting from those collaborations. Any topic that is appropriate for potential publication in the Journal of Advertising (JA), the International Journal of Advertising (IJA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIA) is eligible for the competition.