V. Kumar Doctoral Student Mentorship Award

About this program

The American Marketing Association Foundation (AMAF) awards the biennial V. Kumar Doctoral Student Mentorship Award at the AMA Winter Academic Conference to honor marketing scholars who are highly productive researchers and have made exceptional contributions to training and placing doctoral students; the recipient receives a cash prize, complimentary conference registration, and a plaque. Eligible nominees must have earned their doctorate at least 15 years prior and demonstrate a substantial record of scholarship (including publications in leading/AMA journals), sustained doctoral student mentorship and placement, and service to AMA initiatives that support doctoral education. Nominations are submitted online and must include the nominee’s CV and three letters of support—one from a former doctoral student who completed a dissertation under the nominee; self-nominations are not accepted and nominations for the 2027 award open in September 2026.