The Alternative Investment Management Association (Australian chapter) has launched a writing competition with a $10,000 purse, the aim of which is to promote the institutional investment case for local hedge funds.

Industry participants are invited to submit a 300-500 word piece which will “provide a compelling argument of why Australia is well positioned to capture the growing demand for hedge funds in particular as a special case of the increasing appeal of alternative assets”. Suggested topics include: how hedge funds improve market efficiency; a survey of academic literature; an evolutionary history of markets; or, a study of press and trade reporting. Entries can include an optional graph or visual to help emphasise their case. The top prize is $10,000. Individuals or teams of up to three are eligible. Entries will be judged on commercial relevance, ability to highlight the Australian hedge fund industry, display of intellectual rigour and an original graph or appealing visual. Entries close January 31. (Greg Bright, publisher of I&T News, is one of the judges. The other judges are Kim Ivey, AIMA chair, and Jon Glass, chair of AIMA’s education committee.) Information: www.aima-australia.org