Aim To recognise doctoral thesis research that makes a significant and original contribution to the field of second-language teaching and learning broadly understood.

Award Cambridge University Press books to the value of £500.

Eligibility To be considered for the award:

• • The candidate's institution must have accepted the thesis for Ph.D./Ed.D. defence within two years before the date of the award application

• • The research must have been completed as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree or its equivalent at a university

• • Although the thesis under consideration must be in English, the research may be related to work concerning any second language

Application process In the first instance, applicants must submit the following:

• • A summary of the thesis, not to exceed 15 double-spaced pages, excluding references, and a 150-word abstract of the thesis

• • Proof of acceptance of the thesis as a Ph.D./Ed.D. defence by the candidate's university

The summary should include a brief description of the theoretical background of and the rationale for, the research and its methods (including data analyses), results, and implications of the results. Only electronic applications are accepted.

Evaluation criteria The following aspects of the theses will be considered by the panel:

• • Scholarly or professional significance to the field of second or foreign language

• • Originality and creativity

• • Quality of presentation

Schedule

30 November 2008: Deadline for receipt of summary and abstract and official proof of thesis acceptance

1 February 2009: Call for electronic submission of theses of finalists

15 March 2009: Deadline for receipt of theses

1 August 2009: Announcement of award winner by the Editorial Board of Language Teaching

Further information and application

Dr Graeme Porte, Editor Language Teaching

E-mail: gporte@gmail.com