Motivation

The SGSMA PhD Thesis Competition aims to recognize researchers who have completed their PhD thesis in the past 2 years and can demonstrate the significance and relevance of their research to the SGSMA community. We invite recent and soon-to-be graduates of PhD programs to participate in the prestigious Ph.D. Dissertation Competition at the SGSMA 2026.

Areas of Research
The aim is highlighting the dissertations that are advancing the state-of-the-art in the field of synchronized measurements and analytics for smart grids. The relevant topics are outlined in the Call for Papers.

Who can apply?
The applicants may be scholars who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis in the last 2 years (not earlier than January 1st, 2024) and those who will defend their Ph.D. dissertation by the start of the conference (not later than May 31st, 2026) and on the topics mentioned in the Areas of Research above. The finalists must be registered at the SGSMA 2026.

🧪 Competition Criteria

The SGSMA Thesis Competition focuses on the Areas of Research mentioned above. Candidates submit a summary of their doctoral thesis, which is evaluated on its clarity, scientific rigor and effective dissemination to a power system engineering audience, while answering the following questions:

• What is the contribution of the work to the state of the art?
• What is the impact of the work (societal and others)?
• What is the degree of innovation and the technology readiness level (if that applies)?
• What are the short-term and long-term plans/potential for deployment?

📑 Competition Process & Submission Guidelines

The competition is conducted under strict double-blind review process. There are 2 steps to the competition:

1. 2-page PDF file via Google Forms
🔗 https://forms.gle/yEdCNaYoteqgo4Fi8

a. Cover letter (max 1 page):
The cover letter should mention date of thesis defense, thesis title, number of published peer-reviewed journal papers and respective journal titles (do not include any other identifying characteristics), number of published peer-reviewed conference papers and respective conference names (do not include any other identifying characteristics), number of first authorships in the published papers.

b. PhD Thesis Abstract (max 1 page):
The Abstract should include problem statements, objectives, novelty, methods, key results, advances to the state of the art. Use the template provided:
📄 MS Word → HERE
📄 LaTeX → HERE

Finalists of the first stage will be invited to present their work at the Conference. All finalists benefit from a student registration package waiver (no travel support provided).

2. In-person presentation and panel scoring at the SGSMA 2026

a. Slide deck (max 5 slides, max 5’ presentation):
The presentation should extend or complement the points presented in the PhD Thesis Abstract submitted in the first stage. The number of published journal and conference papers, the respective venues and the first authorships should be mentioned in the last slide of the presentation. Do not include any identifying characteristics.

b. Q&A (5’) and Panel Scoring:
The finalists will be asked questions regarding their Thesis after they have concluded their presentation. The panel will convene after the conclusion of all finalists’ presentations and rank them.

Inconsistencies, violations of the blind review process and any other efforts of unethical behavior at any stage of the competition process will lead to immediate disqualification.

📅 Submit the first stage 2-page PDF by March 1st, 2026
🔗 https://forms.gle/yEdCNaYoteqgo4Fi8
(Submission link will be active starting June 1st, 2025)

🏆 Top Ranked Prizes

The ranking winners will receive prizes that will be announced here in the next few days. The winners’ presentation, slide-deck and abstracts will be highlighted at the SGSMA 2026 website.

📚 Supporting Materials for Competitors

• 3-Minute Thesis Competition (2021) 
• IEEE International Symposium on Hardware Oriented Security and Trust (HOST), 2025 
• Ph.D. Dissertation Challenge – Meet the Energy Industry’s Future Leaders, 2025 
• 2020 BEST PHD THESIS AWARD COMPETITION (Romania, IEEE RAS – Romania Chapter) 

📤 Submit your PhD Dissertation Competition entry here
🔗 https://forms.gle/yEdCNaYoteqgo4Fi8