The Wharton–Chicago–Harvard Insolvency and Restructuring Conference (WCHIRC) is a leading interdisciplinary academic conference dedicated to research on corporate financial distress, leveraged finance, and restructuring. The conference features cutting-edge works in progress from scholars across law, finance, accounting, economics, and management, together with commentary from practitioners active in leveraged finance and restructuring markets.

Topics of interest

We welcome submissions of original research related to topics including, but not limited to:
· Corporate financial distress and bankruptcy
· Liability management and out-of-court restructurings
· Chapter 11 and formal reorganization processes
· Consumer bankruptcy
· Leveraged lending and private credit
· Creditor governance and capital structure dynamics
· Distressed debt markets and asset pricing
· Financial contracting and covenant design
· Bankruptcy law, courts, and institutional design
· Operational restructuring and firm performance

Submission Information
Abstracts must be submitted electronically via the conference website.

Abstract submission deadline: May 10, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Time)
Full paper deadline (conditional on acceptance): August 14, 2026
Registration deadline: June 30, 2026

Notification of decisions: June 2026

There is no submission fee. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses.

Conference Website
https://wifpr.wharton.upenn.edu/wharton-harvard-insolvency-and-restructuring-conference/