Supporting ECSS’s mission to disseminate high-quality, innovative science and its application, this award showcases the most innovative science published in EJSS in one calendar year.

Eligibility for the Award

Journal articles published in the calendar year prior to the Congress are eligible for the award. For example, in 2026, papers will be considered from Volume 25 (calendar year 2025).

Process

The Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor will shortlist the best papers published in the previous calendar year, following which the Associate Editors will vote for the best papers from the shortlist.

Criteria

• Open to all age groups and career levels.
• Associate Editors nominate papers for consideration according to the following criteria:
• Originality: The paper is innovative and constructively engages with new or complex problems.
• Significance: The paper makes an important contribution to the advancement of knowledge in sport science.
• Methodological rigour: The paper uses robust and appropriate methods to address the research question.
• Potential impact: The paper has the potential to alter prevailing theory or practice in sport science.

Timeline

• January to February: The Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor create the shortlist of eligible papers. The Associate Editors vote and the EJSS Best Paper Award winner is selected
• March: Lead authors are notified. The 1st place award winner is invited to attend the ECSS Annual Congress.
• July: The 1st place award winner is officially presented with the award at the ECSS Annual Congress.

Award Ceremony

The EJSS Best Paper Award is officially announced at the ECSS Annual Congress by the Editor-in-Chief and ECSS President.

Prize Money

• €1,000 in prize money is granted to the winner of the award (the lead author).
• Congress registration fee is waived for the lead author of the winning paper.

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