The Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists

The GAABS Awards Programme recognises examples of high-quality applied behavioural science and highlights the wealth of skills and creativity that exist within our membership community.

GAABS Awards: Expanding in 2026

We’re excited to share that GAABS will be expanding its Awards programme, introducing additional categories to better reflect the breadth, diversity, and real-world impact of behavioural science practice.

Future awards will aim to recognise excellence across:

  • Individual Member Case Studies - Applications open in March, more details soon!

  • Books - Inaugural Author and Established Voice

  • Student Case Studies

  • Overall contribution to the field

  • Podcasts - Emerging Podcast and Established Podcast

  • Null Award

More details, criteria, and timelines, will be announced later this year. Watch this space!

Award Categories 2026

Overall Award

This award recognises work that demonstrates excellent use of applied behavioural science in the real world.

Entries should:

  • Address a clear behavioural challenge

  • Show an understanding of the context and people involved

  • Explain how the intervention was designed and tested

Projects that have been applied in practice, align with GAABS’ ethical framework, and show clear evidence of impact are particularly encouraged.

This award is open to individual and organisational GAABS members.

Best Null Result - Award Not an oxymoron!

This award celebrates the importance of learning from work that did not produce the intended effect.

We invite entries that show strong applied behavioural science, even where the intervention resulted in no measurable impact. What matters most is the quality of the approach and the insights gained.

Entries should clearly explain:

  • The behavioural challenge and intervention

  • What was tested and why

  • What was learned from the null result

Projects that offer useful, honest learning and help others avoid ineffective or inefficient approaches are especially encouraged.

Student Case Studies Award

This award recognises excellent student work in applied behavioural science.

Entries should:

  • Focus on a clear behavioural challenge

  • Show understanding of the context and target audience

  • Explain how an intervention was designed and/or tested

Projects may be:

  • Real-world applications, or

  • Research-focused studies or intervention designs, even where data collection was limited

Assignments or coursework may be submitted (within the word limit). The judges recognise that student projects often face practical constraints and welcome well-reasoned, thoughtful work.

Entries should align with GAABS’ ethical framework.

This award is open to student GAABS members.

Individual Member Case Studies Award

This award recognises excellent applied behavioural science by an individual GAABS member.

Entries should:

  • Focus on a clear behavioural challenge

  • Show understanding of the context and target audience

  • Explain how an intervention was designed and/or tested

Projects may be real-world applications, research-focused studies, or intervention designs. Well-reasoned work that demonstrates impact or learning for GAABS and the wider Behavioural Science community is encouraged.

This award is open to individual GAABS members.

Entry Criteria and Rules

Who can enter?

  • Entries are open to current GAABS members (individual, student or organisational) who remain in good standing throughout the judging and awards announcement period.

  • Collaborative entries are welcome.
    Where an entry is a collaboration or partnership, at least 50% of the entrants must be GAABS members.

  • Collaborations between GAABS members and commercial, public sector, or not-for-profit organisations are eligible. Work carried out by a GAABS member for a client may also be entered.

  • For client work, entries must include verifiable written permission from the client confirming that the work may be submitted.

  • Members of the GAABS Executive Board or Advisory Board are not eligible to enter.

How many entries?

  • GAABS members are permitted to submit a maximum of TWO entries in any one category, with a maximum of two entries across all awards in any given year.

  • Only one entry will be accepted for each project or initiative. If you wish to enter a project that includes a multiplicity of separate interventions to address different outcomes within the same project these should be submitted individually.

  • Entries that include several interventions to address a single outcome and that are tested against each other at the same time will be regarded as a single entry.

How recent should the work be?

  • Entries will be accepted for applied work carried out in the previous two years in recognition that some applied field work and experiments can often take >12 months to complete.

What format must entries be in?

  • Entries must take the form of either (a) a maximum 1500 word paper, (b) a case study, or (c) a presentation.

  • A 250-300 word executive summary of the work (including the key (or null) results) should accompany each entry.

  • Submissions should be sent in PDF format (see How to Enter below for further details). Paper copies will not be accepted.

Permission

  • Where entries feature material owned by an end client or external supplier or any other copyright holder, permission must also be submitted with the entry.

  • Should your entry contain sensitive or private information this should clearly be stated on your entry in RED BOLD TEXT. Please highlight information that is not in the public domain to ensure that sensitive information is not published.

  • By entering the GAABS Awards, entrants assign GAABS the right to feature entries and winners on the GAABS website, social media channels and for general promotional purposes.

  • If submitting more than one entry, please submit a separate form for each entry. Maximum two entries per member in any year.

  • Entries must take the form of (a) a maximum 1500-word paper, (b) a case study, or (c) a presentation, including references, in PDF format.

  • Any images or supporting graphs and visuals used to support / illustrate the entry can be included in an appendix or attached as separate files. A maximum of 3 files in total per entry.

  • GAABS is not liable for issues related to entry requirements. An email confirming receipt of each entry will be sent to all entrants.

  • Please email members@gaabs.org with your entry or with any questions.

Entry Instructions

Ready to enter the GAABS Awards? Complete the online submission form and upload your PDF below.

All entries must be submitted via our official online form. Please ensure your PDF and permissions are ready before proceeding.

Before you begin, please ensure you have:
• A 250–300 word executive summary
• Your full submission in PDF format
• Any required permissions

Enter the GAABS Awards