Calling on Researchers: Nominate a Research Paper for Competition and Win a Prize

Do you know of a pioneering research paper that has contributed to breakthroughs in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, Spatial Computing or other emerging digital technologies?

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Exponential Science is thrilled to announce the Exponential Science Pioneers Award 2025, now open for nominations. This award program invites submissions of outstanding research papers for global recognition.The award celebrates exceptional research papers that tackle key challenges and drive advancements in DLT, AI, Quantum, Spatial Computing and other emerging digital technologies.

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Awards are granted across three categories (1 per category):

• Computer Science 
• Business Management and Financial Economics
• Law

The corresponding author of each winning paper receives a $5,000 prize, celebrating their work and offering an opportunity to connect with a global community of experts.

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Why nominate a research paper?

• Highlight important research: Gain recognition for work driving forward emerging and transformative technology.
• Inspire future innovation: Be part of an award encouraging continued exploration and application of transformative technologies.
• Contribute to future advancements: Influence ongoing research, policy development, and industry practices.

Be part of recognising groundbreaking research and inspiring further technology innovation.

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Am I eligible to make a nomination?

The nominator must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

• holding a faculty position at a higher education institution
• holding a researcher position at a research institution
• having a verified Google Scholar page

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What papers are eligible to be nominated?

To be eligible for nomination, the submitted papers should meet the following criteria:

• The papers should have clear relevance to DLT, AI, Quantum, Spatial Computing, emerging digital technologies and/or their applications in areas such as Blockchain, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), Decentralised Finance, Peer-to-Peer Financial Systems, Intelligent Networks, Sustainability and Climate Change solutions, and more.
• Papers must be published on or after 1st of January 2020 to be eligible.
• The paper should be published in conference proceedings or a journal. Papers already accepted and in print are allowed for nomination.
• The work should address current challenges or advancements in DLT, AI, Quantum, Spatial Computing or emerging digital technologies and demonstrate significant contributions to the field, influencing further research, practice, or policy.

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Self-nominations are accepted.

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Submission Guidelines

To nominate a research paper for the Exponential Science Pioneers Award, please complete the Nomination Form by providing the following information:

• Nominator Information: Full Name, Affiliation, Email Address, and a URL to either a Verified Google Scholar Page or a profile in an official higher education institution or research institution employee directory.
• Research Paper Details: Title, Author(s), Abstract, Award Category, Keywords, Publication Date, Journal/Conference Name, URL/DOI, and Full Paper in PDF format.
• Reason for Nomination: Describe why the paper deserves recognition.
• Additional Information (optional): Any other relevant details supporting the nomination.‍
• Corresponding Author of the Nominated Paper: Full Name, Affiliation, and Email Address.

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Submit your nomination by completing the form 🔗

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Review Process

The Exponential Science research team will pre-screen papers per category based on the outcome of public nomination. Those shortlisted papers will then be reviewed and evaluated by the Research Council, selecting the best paper within each category. The Research Council consists of distinguished professors in finance, legal studies and computer science disciplines:

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1. Carol Alexander.

• Affiliation: Professor of Finance, University of Sussex.
• Expertise: Fintech, blockchain finance, cryptocurrency markets, indexing, derivatives, volatility trading, asset pricing, risk premia, investment strategies, risk management and portfolio management.
• Bio: Professor of Finance at Sussex University Business School. Consultant in financial market modelling. Holds a BSc in Maths with Experimental Psychology, and MSc in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics and a PhD in Algebraic Number Theory.

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2. Kevin Werbach

• Affiliation: Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
• Expertise: Business, legal and public policy implications on emerging technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies, gamification and artificial intelligence.
• Bio: Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and former Counsel for New Technology Policy at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Served on the Obama Administration's Presidential Transition Team and founded the Supernova Group.

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3. Yang Liu

• Affiliation: Professor at College of Computing and Data Science, Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
• Expertise: Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.
• Bio: A full professor at College of Computing and Data Science at NTU, Executive Director of Cyber Security Research Centre at NTU, and Executive Director of CyberSG R&D Programme Office (CRPO). In 2019, he received the University Leadership Forum Chair professorship at NTU, the President's Chair in 2024. He is also leading several major research centres and programs including CYSREN, CRPO, Trustworthy AI in NTU (TAICeN) and CREATE centre with ICL on medical device security.

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Evaluation Criteria

Eligible submissions will be assessed according to the following criteria, with a total maximum score of 100 points: 

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Impact (30 points)

• The significance of the research's contributions to the field.
• The (potential) impact on further research, practice, or policy.

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Originality (50 points)

• The degree of innovation presented in the research.
• Whether it introduces new concepts, methodologies, or technologies.

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Feasibility (20 points)

• The practicality of the research.
• The likelihood of successful application or deployment in real-world scenarios.

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The Research Council will conduct a thorough and impartial review of all submissions, ensuring the most deserving research papers are recognised and celebrated for their contributions to DLT, AI, Quantum, Spatial Computing or other emerging digital technologies.

Submit your nominations by 27th January 2025, 23:59 AoE, to be part of this prestigious recognition of excellence in technological research and innovation.

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Submit your nomination here 🔗

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Contact Us

For questions or additional support, reach out to research@dltscience.org. Our team is here to assist you through every step of the submission process.

Join us in celebrating excellence in transformative technologies and sustainability. We look forward to receiving your submission!

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Payment Terms

• The Research Council’s decision regarding winning papers is final and cannot be challenged. 
• Each winner must consent to be named as a winner and their name being used in marketing materials before payment is made. 
• Each winning paper will receive a monetary award of $5,000.
• Award payments will be made within 60 days following the public announcement of the awardees.
• Payments can be made via bank transfer in GBP or USD, or through a digital wallet in USD-pegged stablecoins, based on ES's preference.
• Awardees must provide payee information and bank details or relevant wallet address for stablecoin payments to ES for the transfer.
• If the awardee's bank account is in a different currency, the awardee will be responsible for any currency conversion fees.
• Recipients are responsible for any local taxes or fees which are required to be paid as a result of receiving the award.
• Awardees must complete and submit any required documentation, such as a payment and consent information form, before the disbursement of funds.
• ES reserves the right to verify the identity and eligibility of the awardees before processing the payment.
• For any queries regarding the payment process, awardees can contact ES at research@dltscience.org.

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