Click here to open the ISDA/RIsk Derivatives Research Award fact sheet

NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release

ISDA and Risk Launch OTC Derivatives Research Award Program

SINGAPORE, April 24, 2013 – The International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) today announced at its 28th Annual General Meeting in Singapore that ISDA and Risk are teaming up to sponsor and conduct an annual awards program for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives research.

The purpose of The ISDA/Risk Derivatives Research Award is to enhance understanding of the OTC derivatives markets among a broad community of international financial market participants, including financial institutions, regulatory bodies, academic institutions and the media.

“ISDA is very pleased to work with Risk to develop this new program to encourage and highlight the work of academics and other researchers into the uses, purposes and value of the OTC derivatives markets,” said Robert Pickel, ISDA Chief Executive Officer. “There is a significant body of work that is being conducted by researchers around the world on these important topics and our hope is that our program will bring this work to a larger universe of readers.”

“There are a number of journals dedicated to publishing highly mathematical, cutting-edge academic papers on finance – Risk is among them – but fewer outlets for practical and accessible research on the functioning of OTC derivatives markets. We’re delighted to be collaborating with ISDA to recognize important and original research in this area,” said Nick Sawyer, Editor-in-Chief, Risk.

Program GuidelinesGuidelines for the program are included in the ISDA/Risk Derivatives Research Award Fact Sheet. To summarize:

Papers submitted for consideration should be emailed to isdariskresearch@isda.org. The closing date for accepting submissions for the current year will be on or about December 1, 2013.  A shortlist of submissions will be determined by the end of January 2014.  Winners will be contacted in February 2014.

Any unpublished research paper is eligible for submission. Papers that are currently published on SSRN will also be considered. In exceptional circumstances, previously published papers may be considered, providing that the paper’s author can provide ISDA and Risk with a letter from the original publisher granting permission to print it.

All entries will be first reviewed by a party or parties selected by ISDA and Risk.  These entries will then be narrowed down to a short list that will be reviewed by the final selection panel consisting of five individuals (three selected by ISDA and two selected by Risk).

One first place prize may be awarded, in the amount of $US20,000 and a second place prize may be awarded, in the amount of $US10,000.  In addition, the awards recipient(s) may be invited to participate at ISDA’s next Annual General Meeting to present their work.  The winning entries may also be published by Risk or as part of a special publication and distributed via print and the web.

For Media Enquiries, Please Contact: Lauren Dobbs, ISDA Singapore AGM office, +65 62 33 5181, ldobbs@isda.orgRebecca O’Neill, ISDA Singapore AGM office, +65 62 33 5182, roneill@isda.orgDonna Chan, ISDA Singapore AGM office, +65 62 33 5181, dchan@isda.org

About ISDA

Since 1985, ISDA has worked to make the global over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets safer and more efficient. Today, ISDA has over 800 member institutions from 60 countries. These members include a broad range of OTC derivatives market participants including corporations, investment managers, government and supranational entities, insurance companies, energy and commodities firms, and international and regional banks. In addition to market participants, members also include key components of the derivatives market infrastructure including exchanges, clearinghouses and repositories, as well as law firms, accounting firms and other service providers. Information about ISDA and its activities is available on the Association’s web site: www.isda.org.

About Risk

Risk is the leading publication for financial risk management and the global derivatives markets. Published since 1987, Risk provides daily news, analysis and technical content in print, online and via tablet for banks, hedge funds, pension funds, insurance firms and corporates, as well as regulators and central banks. Visit www.risk.net for more information.

ISDA® is a registered trademark of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.