2024 Annual Conference Call for Abstract Submissions

The Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis is now accepting proposals for its 2024 Annual Conference to be held on March 18-19 in person at The George Washington University, Washington, DC, and April 4-5 online.  

You may choose to submit an individual research presentation, in which case the Program Committee will combine it with other presentations to form a complete session if it is accepted. Alternatively, you may choose to organize a complete session in one of three formats: a set of research presentations (four individual presentations or three individual presentations and a discussant), a roundtable or panel discussion (a chair and up to six speakers), or an innovative session (format to be determined by the organizer).  

Submissions are limited to one abstract per presenter, although you may be listed as co-author on an unlimited number of other presentations. You may submit two abstracts only if one is for an individual presentation and the second is part of an organized or innovative session; the two abstracts must address substantially different topics.  

Submission is viewed as a firm commitment to participate in the conference if accepted. Submissions received after October 31, 2023, are not guaranteed consideration by the Program Committee.

Submit Your Abstract>>

To submit your proposal using our online form, you will need to provide the following information: 

• Session type, including additional descriptive information depending on the type of session:
• Individual presentation - A list of additional co-authors (if any).  
• Set of research presentations - Contact information for the chair, the presenters for each individual presentation, and the discussant (if any), to include name, affiliation, email address, and mobile phone number. (Please note that the Program Committee reserves the right to select only a subset of the panel abstracts for presentation or to reorganize the panels if needed.)
• Roundtable or Panel - Contact information for the chair and the speakers (those which are confirmed and which are tentative, being as realistic as possible about who will participate), to include name, affiliation, email address, and mobile phone number.    
• Innovative session - A detailed description for review by the Program Committee, including information on previous experience with similar sessions.
• Title (limited to 80 characters, including spaces)
• Abstract (limited to 300 words) - As relevant, the abstracts should include an introduction/problem statement, method, results, and conclusions (where applicable). Consider addressing the following questions: (1) what research question(s) are you trying to answer; (2) does the paper present new data or new analysis of existing data; (3) what is novel about this research; and (4) what did you find?
• Whether your submission should be considered for an in-person session, an online session, or either at the discretion of the Program Committee.  
• Please note that no changes to the method of delivery may be made after the abstract submission period closes on October 31, 2023, as all session slots are limited in number and acceptances will be based on the method of delivery. 
• If your submission is to be considered for an online session, you will also be asked to indicate at least three preferred session slots from among several options. The Program Committee will make every effort to accommodate your preference, if your submission is accepted; however, your session may be scheduled at any time during the online portion of the conference.  

• Keywords that best describe the focus of your presentation or panel. Your selection will aid the Program Committee in assigning reviewers and, if accepted, in organizing the conference schedule. The choices are: 
• Crosscutting Theory and Methods
• Distribution and Equity
• Education, Training, Labor Force
• Energy, Natural Resources, Environment, Water
• Finance, Financial Markets, International Trade
• Food, Nutrition, Agriculture
• Health Care System, Health Insurance, Medical Care, Public Health
• International Development
• Policing, Military, Homeland Security
• Transportation and Infrastructure
• Other (if you select this option, you will be asked to specify the topic later in the form)   

Students will also be asked if they would like to be considered for the Jerry Ellig Award. The George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center established the Jerry Ellig Memorial Fund for Applied Policy Analysis. The fund has set up a recurring prize for the best graduate student paper presented at the SBCA Annual Conference that applies economic, law, political science, policy analysis, and/or public administration concepts to real policy problems. An Award Committee will review the student abstracts and presentations and make an award following each year’s annual conference. The winner will be announced in the SBCA newsletter and on the Society’s website. The winner will also receive a $1,000 cash prize. Learn more about Dr. Jerry Ellig and the award established to honor his inspirational legacy at https://www.benefitcostanalysis.org/awards#jerryelligaward. 

Submit Your Abstract>>