The Pre-Doctoral Consortium hosted by the Southern Management Association (SMA) will be held in St. Pete Beach, FL on October 28, 2026, as part of the Annual Meeting held from October 27 to October 31, 2026.

SMA hosts a day-long pre-doctoral consortium to provide professional advice for those strongly considering attending a doctoral program in management or a related field. Topics will include career paths, the PhD student experience, and the PhD application process, as well as the opportunity to discuss specific strategies for success in research, teaching, and work/life balance. Participants will also attend an orientation prior to the consortium as well as a PhD recruitment event where they can meet and interact with representatives from PhD programs.

Each participant will receive a stipend of $550 and a waiver for the conference registration fee (valued at $144). Breakfast and lunch will be provided on the day of the consortium. Attendance at ALL consortium events is required to receive the stipend.

Accepted participants are expected to arrive by the afternoon of Tuesday, October 27 for orientation and stay through the evening of Thursday, October 29 when stipend checks are distributed at the SMA business meeting. However, attendance for the entire conference is strongly encouraged.

To apply, students should click the link below and fill out the application form. As part of the application, students will need to join the Southern Management Association ($50). To fill out the application, students will need to (1) upload a short letter of interest, (2) upload their CV, and (3) provide contact information for a faculty reference. Application letters can be brief but should state why the students want to attend the consortium and discuss how it will help them accomplish their career goals.

The priority deadline is June 15, 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis as space allows until August 15, 2026.

Please email questions to Dr. Karen Landay, University of North Texas, at karen.landay@unt.edu.

Disclosures

(1) Only active members can register for the Annual Meeting.
(2) Individuals can apply for one consortium only.
(3) Participation in a consortium will preclude an individual from taking part in any off-site event that is scheduled at the same time.
(4) Pre-doctoral, early-stage, and late-stage consortia participants must attend the SMA Business Meeting, which will be held on the evening of Thursday, October 23, to receive their stipend.