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6th Annual Student Research Competition | Sustainable Finance & Fixed Income

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 10:39 GMT by Finbold | Finance in Bold
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Finbold’s 6th Annual Student Research Competition: Spotlight on Sustainable Finance in Fixed Income

Finbold’s Student Research Competition, now in its sixth year, has once again set the stage for emerging scholars to explore the nexus between sustainability and fixed‑income markets. This year’s theme—“Sustainable Finance, Fixed Income”—highlights the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations for investors, issuers, and regulators in the bond arena. The competition, which opened its call to university and graduate students worldwide, attracted a broad spectrum of research topics ranging from green bond performance to the integration of ESG metrics into credit risk models.

Competition Overview

Finbold launched the Student Research Competition in 2019 to provide a platform for academic and industry‑oriented research that addresses pressing financial challenges. Each edition focuses on a different theme, with this year’s edition aimed at uncovering how fixed‑income instruments can contribute to sustainable development. The competition is open to anyone enrolled in a tertiary education program at the time of submission, and it emphasizes originality, analytical rigor, and practical relevance.

Submissions must be original research papers or case studies no longer than 3,500 words, with a strict requirement that all data sources and references be fully cited. Participants can choose to present their findings in either English or French, but all submitted documents must be in one of those languages. The deadline for paper submission was set for the end of March, giving students ample time to conduct rigorous analyses and craft compelling narratives.

Award Structure and Prizes

Finbold’s awards structure recognises both the academic quality and the real‑world applicability of each entry. Three tiers of prizes were announced:

1. First Prize – $2,000
   The top research paper receives a $2,000 cash award, a certificate, and an invitation to present at Finbold’s annual sustainability forum. The winning student also gains access to a networking session with industry professionals from leading banks, asset managers, and regulatory bodies.

2. Second Prize – $1,200
   Second place earns a $1,200 cash prize, a certificate, and a one‑month internship placement at a partner fintech firm that specialises in ESG analytics.

3. Third Prize – $800
   The third‑place entrant receives an $800 cash award, a certificate, and a chance to contribute a short article to Finbold’s sustainability section.

Beyond the monetary rewards, all finalists are invited to attend a virtual closing ceremony where a distinguished panel of judges discusses the broader implications of their work.

Winning Papers and Their Impact

The competition’s finalists showcased a range of topics that illustrate how sustainable finance principles are reshaping the fixed‑income landscape. Below are brief synopses of the top three entries:

Each paper was praised for its rigorous methodology, thoughtful interpretation of results, and clear linkage to real‑world implications. The winners’ research has already begun to influence how issuers structure green and sustainability‑linked debt, how asset managers incorporate ESG into fixed‑income mandates, and how regulators consider climate risk in supervisory frameworks.

Themes Explored in the Competition

A few recurring themes emerged among the submissions:

• Green Bonds and Impact Metrics: Papers investigated the link between green bond issuance and measurable environmental outcomes, evaluating whether capital flows achieve the intended sustainability goals.

• ESG Integration in Credit Analysis: Many entries focused on how ESG factors affect default probabilities and credit spreads, offering fresh insights for both issuers and investors.

• Regulatory Alignment: Several research pieces examined how national and international regulations—such as the EU Taxonomy, the Task Force on Climate‑Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)—are shaping fixed‑income markets.

• Technology and Data Analytics: A subset of papers showcased innovative use of big data, machine learning, and natural language processing to extract ESG signals from unstructured sources like news feeds and corporate disclosures.

A Glimpse into Sustainable Finance and Fixed Income

To fully appreciate the significance of this competition, it’s useful to explore the concepts that underpin the theme.

Sustainable Finance refers to the alignment of financial flows with long‑term sustainability goals, notably the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It encompasses a broad spectrum of instruments—from green bonds that finance environmentally beneficial projects, to ESG‑integrated portfolios that prioritize companies with strong governance and social responsibility. Sustainable finance also involves climate‑risk disclosure, carbon pricing mechanisms, and impact investing.

Fixed Income traditionally includes debt securities such as government bonds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, and structured products like mortgage‑backed securities. These instruments are prized for their relative safety, predictable cash flows, and diversification benefits. In recent years, fixed‑income markets have increasingly adopted ESG considerations, leading to the proliferation of green bonds, sustainability‑linked bonds, and ESG‑enhanced credit ratings.

Together, these fields create a fertile ground for innovation. Investors are keen to incorporate sustainability into their fixed‑income mandates, while issuers seek to leverage the growing demand for green capital. The competition’s research showcases how academia and industry can collaborate to drive this transition.

How to Get Involved

The competition remains an excellent opportunity for students to test their research skills and engage with the global sustainability finance community. Finbold invites interested participants to:

1. Review the Detailed Submission Guidelines – The competition page provides a comprehensive outline of formatting requirements, ethical considerations, and the judging rubric.

2. Follow the Finbold Sustainability Section – Readers can stay updated on the latest trends in sustainable finance, fixed‑income markets, and ESG reporting by visiting Finbold’s dedicated sustainability blog.

3. Join the Finbold Community – Engage with other researchers, investors, and professionals on Finbold’s social media channels and discussion forums.

Looking Ahead

The 6th Annual Student Research Competition underscores Finbold’s commitment to fostering the next generation of sustainability‑savvy finance professionals. By spotlighting cutting‑edge research on fixed‑income markets, the competition not only rewards academic excellence but also accelerates the diffusion of innovative ideas into practice. As sustainable finance continues to evolve, platforms like Finbold’s competition will remain essential for bridging the gap between theory and real‑world application.

For those who missed this year’s deadline, Finbold encourages participation in the next cycle—where new themes and expanded prize pools promise even greater opportunities to shape the future of sustainable finance.