ACR Transformative Consumer Research Grants

Recognizes excellent marketing doctoral dissertations.

In 1960, the AMA invited top doctoral candidates to present their papers at the annual Marketing Educators’ Conference. In 1967, this recognition process was formalized with the establishment of the Doctoral Dissertation Awards.

The John A. Howard/AMA Doctoral Dissertation Endowment was established in 1992 with the initial gift from Dr. Jagdish Sheth of Emory University in honor of his advisor. The purpose of the endowment is to both assure the continuity of the program and to further promote the importance of the dissertation process.

John Howard was the George E. Warren Professor Emeritus of Business at Columbia University. He was a recognized innovator in the application of basic research in marketing, and consumer and buyer behavior. His numerous marketing texts and articles contributed to the development of the profession for nearly 40 years, before his death in 1999. Howard also taught at the Universities of Illinois, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Western Ontario and Stanford. His leadership in directing doctoral candidates through the dissertation process influenced both the quality of the research and the preparation of current marketing faculty across the country.

Sheth, also internationally recognized for his contributions to marketing and the academic community, developed his dissertation under the guidance of Howard while at the University of Pittsburgh. According to Sheth, “John Howard was a major influence on me both personally and professionally. His devotion to the discipline of marketing and his hard work were an inspiration to all of us who have had the honor and the privilege of working with him. He was a true scholar because he was always eager to learn, challenge, and innovate new concepts and perspectives.”

Students completing the requirements for their doctoral degrees in marketing and consumer behavior-related topics between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 are invited to enter the annual John A. Howard/AMA Doctoral Award Competition.

Graduates from doctoral programs in any part of the world are invited to participate. The award is given annually at the AMA Winter Academic Conference.

Nominations for this award will open in Fall 2023.