Disability Issues Grants

American Psychological Association of Graduate Students Diversity Dissertation Scholarship

This scholarship was established to encourage excellence in research within the field of psychology concerning issues of diversity such as varied ethnic backgrounds, women's issues, ageism, sexual orientation and disability.

Deadline: May 13, 2011

Funds for this $1,500 scholarship must be used to support proposed research, rather than to reward a completed, or nearly completed dissertation. The recipient will be invited to serve on the selection committee for the following year's applicants. The APAGS Scholarship Selection Committee will review all abstracts. The winning applicant will be selected based upon the relevance of the study to diversity, with particular emphasis on important and emerging trends in the field; scholarly excellence, innovation and implications for theory, research and action; and methodological appropriateness.

APAGS scholarships are available to graduate student members of APAGS who are enrolled at least halftime as a student in good standing at a regionally accredited university. If you are a student affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and are in a masters or doctoral program, you are automatically a member of APAGS. Undergraduates are not eligible for these scholarships, nor are APAGS officers, subcommittee, or task force chairs. Previous recipients of each award are not eligible to apply again for a period of five years.

Required Materials:

Title page that includes name of the scholarship for which you are applying, contact information for applicant (name, mailing address, phone number, email), university, area of research, expected graduation date, APA Membership number, and full name/email of your research mentor for your project.
A cover letter (not to exceed two pages, single spaced) that includes background information about the applicant, the dissertation, why the applicant believes s/he should be awarded the scholarship (e.g. relevance of the project to the grant), and the applicant’s future educational and professional goals.
An abbreviated curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages, single spaced).
An abbreviated research proposal (not to exceed three pages, single spaced) that includes specific aims, background and significance, proposed research methodology, implications of proposed research, and detailed budget.
Letter of recommendation (not to exceed two pages, single spaced) supporting your application that addresses your qualifications, how your project will benefit the discipline, and the likelihood that your research will help you meet your future educational and professional goals.
All materials must be submitted for an application to be considered. Any applications that exceed the page limits (e.g. over two pages in a vita, over 3 pages in a proposal, over two pages for a letter of recommendation) will not be scored.

If you are not an APAGS member at the time of submission, you may send a copy of the receipt you get when you join APAGS/APA electronically as proof of membership.

You may submit materials electronically or by mail.

For mail submissions, please send to:

Diversity Dissertation Scholarship
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students
750 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

Oticon Focus on People Awards

The 13th Annual Oticon Focus on People Awards wants to honor outstanding people with hearing loss who are helping to show that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to make a positive difference in their families, schools, communities or the world.

Please take a few minutes to tell us about an inspirational person with hearing loss that you know whose achievements and contributions make them a role model for all.

All nominations must be postmarked by Sept. 20, 2010. We encourage you to nominate all of the outstanding hard of hearing people you know. Please visit www.oticonusa.com, under the Professional or Consumer section to fill out our Focus on People online form.

Student Category:

Young people with hearing loss, ages 6 - 21 who are full-time students. The first place winner receives a $1,000 prize, $1,000 gift to winner’s school and a set of Oticon advanced technology hearing instruments.

Adult and Advocacy Category:

Adult:
People with hearing loss, ages 21 and above.

Advocacy:
Adults with hearing loss who are actively involved in programs to benefit the hard-of-hearing and deaf community.

Top winners in each category receive a $1,000 prize, a $1,000 gift to charity of choice and a set of Oticon advanced technology hearing instruments.

Hearing Care Practitioner Category:

Hearing care professionals in general practice and Pediatric practitioners in school or clinical settings. The first place winner receives a $1,000 prize and a $1,000 gift to charity of choice.

*nominees in this category are not required to have a hearing loss to qualify.

In all categories, second place winners receive $500 and third place winners receive $250. All nominees receive Certificates of Recognition from Oticon. Winners are selected by an independent judging panel made up of leading hearing care professionals. The winners will be announced at the Fall Human Link in October.

Deadline for entries: September 20

Multiple Sclerosis Center Quality of Life Grants

Since 1996, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) has awarded grants and endowments to universities, MS centers, and other nonprofit organizations to actively promote quality of life and create a brighter tomorrow for those living with MS. MS centers and nonprofit organizations, with a physical presence in the United States, in need of expanding their programs and services are also eligible for financial assistance from the MSF. Grants are available for implementing or expanding MS Day Programs, diagnostic services, rehabilitation services, support services, social services, education and outreach, and medical care.

Applications are accepted beginning September 1st of each year. Applications must be postmarked between September 1st and November 1st to be eligible for funding.

Eligibility:
• New and existing centers with a physical presence in the United States.
• Centers serving twenty-five or more MS patients.

Priority will be given to efforts that:
• Address unmet needs
• Enhance or expand current services
• Use creative and innovative approaches to achieve positive outcomes
• Fill gaps in current services

Areas not funded:
• Grants for research
• Grants to individuals
• Grants for religious purposes
• Grants for items covered under existing MSF programs

Size and types of grants:
• Funding decisions will be based on the type and scope of the program. Due to the wide variety of program designs expected, varying amounts of funding will be provided. Generally, the MSF funds programs in the range of $5,000 to $40,000.

For further information on the MS Center Quality of Life grant, call Alan Segaloff, Executive Director at 1-800-225-6495.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Grant Program

The initial contact should be made by letter of inquiry stating the amount sought, purpose of the grant, and nature of the organization requesting the grant. Please include an e-mail address if available. The letter should be sent to:

The Grant Committee
c/o Managing Director
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33309

If you are awarded a grant we do ask as a minimum that you provide us with semi-annual progress reports however additional criteria may apply depending on the amount and type of grant.

FUNDING CYCLE

All grant requests, excluding the Brighter Tomorrow grant, must be postmrked between September 1 and November 1 of each year. If your request is funded, funding will occur prior to January 15 of the following year.

LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, at its sole discretion, has the right to limit, refuse or cancel any grants made. The awarding of grants is at the determination of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Computer Grant Program

Computer Grant Program provides refurbished laptop or desktop computers for individuals with MS on limited or fixed incomes. For those who do not know how to use a computer, training may be provided. The application process requires verification of a diagnosis of MS and a brief essay from the applicant explaining how a computer will enhance their quality of life. A computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse will be granted. Internet access and technical support will be the responsibility of the grant recipient. Applications are accepted from July 1 to October 1 of each year.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

 

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Brighter Tomorrow Grant

Each year the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation makes dreams come true for individuals with multiple sclerosis across the country through the Brighter Tomorrow grant.

The goal of the grant is provide individuals with MS with goods or services (valued at up to $1000.00 per recipient) to improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well-being.

Recipients of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation's Brighter Tomorrow grant have received car repairs, ramps, wheelchairs, walkers, eyeglasses, computers, appliances, televisions, furniture, therapeutic equipment, hobby supplies, retreats, and various home modifications.

To qualify, a person must be 18 years of age or older and diagnosed with MS, or the parent of a minor child diagnosed with MS, and be a permanent U.S. resident. They must not have any other means of fulfilling the need they express.

Applicants are asked to provide basic personal and financial information, and to write a brief essay of 100 words or less to describe how the grant would help them have A Brighter Tomorrow.

If you would like to apply for a Brighter Tomorrow grant, simply fill out our online application, print an application, or call 888-673-6287 to receive an application by mail. Applications are accepted from July 1 to October 1 of each year.

For further information on the Brighter Tomorrow grant, call our Program Services Department at 1-888-MSFOCUS or you can contact us by email: support@msfocus.org.

- Partially funded through a charitable donation from the Bayer Foundation.
Official Guidelines

Applications submitted must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to be considered for funding:

* Applicant must be diagnosed with MS, or be the parent of a minor child with MS.
* Applicant must be over the age of 18.
* Applicant must have no existing financial net (such as Medicaid or private insurance) to cover the request.
* Applicant must grant the MSF the right to use their name and photograph for promotional purposes.
* Applicant must agree to sign a disclaimer.
* Applicant must be a resident of the United States.
* Request must be for specific goods or services.
* Cash, medications, or items available through current programs are not included.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

Add-a-Day Scientific Conference Grants

These grants support Add-a-Day conferences which are those meetings that occur at the beginning or end of a scientific conference other than American Psychological Association.

Deadline: June 1, 2010; December 1, 2010

Sponsor: Science Directorate

Add-a-Day conferences are those meetings that occur at the beginning or end of a scientific conference other than APA (e.g., Society for Ingestive Behavior or Psychonomics Society). The other organization need not be primarily psychology oriented. The conference may result in a volume or an alternative form of publication.

The funding range is from $500 to $3,000.

Prospective applicants are urged to consult with APA Science Directorate staff for advice on the conference organization and application (e.g., formats or budget allowances). The committee makes recommendations for funding to the Science Directorate. The review period is approximately 8 weeks.

The requirements below must be met in order to submit a proposal.

* One of the primary organizers must be a member of APA.
* Only academic institutions accredited by a regional body may apply. Independent research institutions must provide evidence of affiliation with such an accredited institution. Joint proposals from cooperating institutions are encouraged.
* Conferences may be held only in the United States, its possessions, or Canada.
* APA governance groups including APA Divisions and related entities are not eligible for funding under this program.

Conference proceedings and presentation materials (including electronic presentations) must be submitted to APA three months after the date the conference is held. APA will hold the conference proceedings for three years. If a book has not been published by APA or another publisher within the three-year holding period, APA will place the conference proceedings in PsycEXTRA.

PsycEXTRA is a companion database to the scholarly PsycINFO, which is designed to link academics, clinicians, librarians, consumers, policy-makers, and researchers to a variety of information sources covering psychology, behavioral science, and health; PsycEXTRA provides the readership with original documents, including proceedings, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, technical and annual reports, government reports, and consumer brochures.

Organizers should send the original proposal and seven copies including all appendices to the Science Directorate by the deadline.

Contact:
APA Science Directorate
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202/336-6000
202/336-6123 TDD
science@apa.org

Scholarship Program for College Bound High School Students Who Are Legally Blind

The Jewish Guild for the Blind has created an annual scholarship program for college bound high school students who are legally blind . Applications will be accepted from students at the end of their junior year, with recipients selected and scholarships awarded the following academic year.

The GuildScholar Program will award 12 to 16 scholarships of up to $15,000 each.

Calendar
Application and supporting documents must be at The Guild by September 15th (at the beginning of the senior year).
Scholarship recipients announced by mid December semester break.
Scholarships will be awarded by June 15th.

Award Criteria
1. Completion of the GuildScholar Online Application.
2. Proof of legal blindness: Verification should be in the form of a statement from a state rehabilitation agency, an ophthalmologistor an optometrist.

3. Proof of US citizenship: A passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers or proof of legal residency.
4. Documentation of academic achievement: Copies of school transcripts and copies of SAT and/or ACT results.

Please note: Numbers 2, 3 and 4 above, must be submitted in one ofthe following formats: tif, jpeg or pdf.

5. Three letters of recommendation: Two letters should attest to the candidate’s academic skills. Each letter must include the name, address and telephone number of the person writing the reference.
6. Two personal statements: One describing the educational and personal goals of the applicant (500 words or less) and the second describing the influence of an outstanding teacher on the applicants education.

Please note: Numbers 5 and 6 above, must be submitted in Microsoft Word.

7. Your chosen college must be accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
8. All college admissions policies must be non-denominational and open to applicants of all religions, faiths and beliefs.

The GuildScholar application is an online process. All supporting documents should be scanned and forwarded electronically as attachments to the application.

To request additional information, please contact:

Gordon Rovins
Phone: 212-769-7801
E-mail: guildscholar@jgb.org