Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology Dissertation Award
Deadline: November 1
DESCRIPTION
Purpose: The Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology (FRP) sponsors a competition for dissertation research funding. The purpose of the FRP Dissertation Award is to assist doctoral students in Psychology with research costs to promote research in the field of Rehabilitation Psychology.
This year the Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology (FRP) plans to award the first Leonard Diller Dissertation Award in Neurorehabilitation. At the request of the Diller family, FRP is creating the Leonard Diller Fund that will support this award. Dr. Diller is widely credited with being a founder of American neurorehabilitation. He was a leader among clinicians who did not accept the belief that impairments following acquired brain injuries were permanent and irremediable. A dissertation deserving of this award will reflect the principles of neurorehabilitation as advanced by Dr. Diller. More information about this award and the Diller fund will be forthcoming.
Funding Level: FRP will provide $1,000-$4,000 per award; an additional travel stipend of $500 will be given to each recipient to support his or her travel to a Division 22/ABRP mid-year meeting to present the dissertation research. The funding level of successful applications will be based on the merit of applications and available funds.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be graduate students of psychology in good standing with their university at an accredited program located in the United States or Canada. Applicants must be enrolled full-time or working on their dissertation research for an equivalent of full-time enrollment regardless of actual registration status.
Applicants must be student affiliates or associate members of the American Psychological Association. Students who are not affiliates must apply for affiliation when submitting materials for the Dissertation Research Award. The APA Student Affiliate membership form is available online. It can be submitted on the internet or printed and mailed to APA. If you apply for membership at the time you submit your award application, please print and send an electronic copy of the membership confirmation page receipt with your award application.
Applicants must have had their dissertation proposals approved by their dissertation committees prior to application.
Each psychology department (i.e., not individual programs within a department) may endorse no more than two (2) students per year for the FRP Dissertation Award. If more than two students from a department wish to apply for these funds, the department must perform an initial screening and forward only two applications.
The dissertation research must be in an area of psychological research relevant to Rehabilitation Psychology and/or Disability. If you are unsure of whether your topic meets this criterion, please contact the FRP Research Funding Liaison, Dr. Dawn Ehde for guidance. For a definition of Rehabilitation Psychology, see this page.
A student in a graduate department other than psychology is eligible to apply for the award only if she/he demonstrates that she/he is writing a psychological science dissertation relevant to Rehabilitation Psychology and that her/his graduate course of study has been primarily psychological in nature. In order to be eligible to apply for the award, the student in graduate departments other than psychology must justify this eligibility for the award by providing the FRP with the following materials:
(a) dissertation title and brief abstract;
(b) transcript of graduate coursework (unofficial copies are fine); and
(c) a brief written explanation of how these materials show that the graduate course of study has been primarily psychological in nature. This request for award eligibility may be submitted either separately from the application or at the time of application submission.
HOW TO APPLY
1. All application materials must be in electronic format (PDF or MS Word preferred). Please submit your application materials (described in this section) in one email to Dr. Dawn Ehde on or before November 1. Please use a font of 10 points or greater, and 1-inch margins. Materials can be single or double spaced.
Please include each of the following:
a. An application form that is typed or neatly printed, signed by the applicant and approved by the chair or head of the department (as described on the form).
b. 1-page maximum typed cover letter describing your research interests and experience, as well as your career plans.
c. Three-page maximum summary of the dissertation research, including project background and rationale, an explanation of research design (methods, procedure, analysis plan, etc.), and other important aspects of the project. Please include a section describing how this project relates to and advances the field of Rehabilitation Psychology. One additional page listing references may be included (citations should be included in the text).
Please Note: Figures and/or tables may be included only if they can be incorporated into the 3 page research summary. The research summary must not exceed the 3 page limit including any figures or tables.
d. Two-page maximum Curriculum Vitae including scientific publications, presentations, research and teaching experience (the Curriculum Vitae may contain only highlights and does not need to be a complete version).
e. Two-page maximum letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or professor.
Please Note: The maximum length of the recommendation letter is two (2) pages. Please communicate to the faculty member who will write your recommendation letter the importance of adhering to this maximum page limit. In addition, please do not submit more than one letter of recommendation; only one will be forwarded for review.
2. All application materials must arrive via e-mail attachments in one single e-mail on or before October 15 to the FRP Research Funding Liaison, Dr. Dawn Ehde.
You will receive an email after the application deadline confirming that your application has been received.
3. Decisions will be based upon the quality of the submitted information and relevance to Rehabilitation Psychology. A panel of scientists representing the breadth of Rehabilitation Psychology, including members of the Science Committee of Division 22, will make funding recommendations to the FRP.
4. FRP Dissertation Award recipients will be announced in mid-December. All applicants for the awards are notified of funding decisions via e-mail.
Award conditions: Recipients will be strongly encouraged to present their study results at a Division 22/ABRP mid-year meeting. Publications and presentations should reflect support by The Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology. The award funds may be dispersed to the student’s university or the student directly.
Deadlines:
November 1: Applications due
On or before December 15: Award notification
For questions about eligibility, applications, or awards, contact the FRP Research Funding Liaison, Dr. Dawn Ehde, at ehde@uw.edu.
Past Recipients
2022-2023 Academic Year
Victoria Monte
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, & Human Development
Basic and Applied Investigation of Social Support among College Students with Chronic Conditions
Advisor: Will Tsai, PhD
2021-2022 Academic Year
Yunzhen (Judy) Huang
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Character Strengths, Coping, and Recovery from Substance Use Disorder: A Medical Analysis
Advisor: Susan Smedema, PhD
Adrien Winning
Loyola University Chicago
Parenting and Psychosocial Functioning in Youth with Spina Bifida: Making Connections with Other CNS-Related Chronic Health Conditions
Advisor: Grayson Holmbeck, PhD
2020-2021 Academic Year
Jenna Cohen
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University
Falls, Mood and Driving Safety in Multiple Sclerosis
Advisor: Frederick Foley, PhD
Ted Allaire
Eastern Michigan University
Measurement and Structural Invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Across Acute Rehabilitation Populations
Advisor: Michelle Meade, PhD
Jonathan Tsen
Illinois Institute of Technology
Caring for the Caregiver: Interpersonal Factors and Depression as Serial Mediators between Stigma and Suicidal Ideation
Advisor: Eun-Jeong Lee, PhD
Jeremiah Lum
Seattle Pacific University
Depression as a Moderator of the Relationship between Perceived Injustice and Neuropsychological Performance Validity in Traumatic Brain Injury
Advisor: Jacob Bentley, PhD, ABPP
Caroline Hinkle
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The Mediating Role of White Matter Integrity and Gray Matter Volume in the Relationship between pain and Neurocognitive Function
Advisor: Raimi L. Quiton, PhD
2019-2020 Academic Year
Jillian Tessier
Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
Functional Outcomes in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: Goal Attainment in Rehabilitation
Advisor: Maria Schultheis, PhD
Andrew D. May
Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
The Nature and Prevalence of Anxiety in an Intensive Care Unit: Risk Factors, Patient
Outcomes, and Trends in Psychological Care
Advisor: Brian Sharpless, PhD
Amanda Parker
Clinical Psychology, Yeshiva University
Injustice, Quality of Life, and Psychiatric Symptoms in People with Migraine
Advisor: Elizabeth Seng, PhD
2018 - 2019 Academic Year
Dana Bakula
Clinical Psychology, Oklahoma State University
Parent Uncertainty, Self-Care, and Adjustment in the Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting
Advisor: Larry Mullins, PhD
Mercedes Zapata
School Psychology, Graduate School of Education
University of California, Berkeley
Personal Disability Identity Measurement: Self-Worth and Personal Meaning
Advisor: Frank C. Worrell, PhD
Jamie Tingey
Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University
Self-efficacy Trajectories in Newly Diagnosed Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Advisor: Jacob Bentley, PhD
Rosie Shrout
Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno
Couples and Nonvisible Chronic Illness: An Integrated Model of Dyadic Coping
Advisor: Daniel Weigel, PhD
2017 - 2018 Academic Year
Lakeya McGill
University of Maryland
Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: The Role of Illness Intrusiveness and Perceived Control.
Advisor: Shawn Bediako, PhD
2016 - 2017 Academic Year
Andrea Wojtowicz
Rosalind Franklin University
Participation and life satisfaction in individuals with pediatric onset SCI
Advisor: Rachel Neff Greenley, PhD
Kayci L. Vickers
Drexel University
The impact of compensatory recommendations on consistency in adherence to behavioral regimens after TBI
Advisor: Maria Schultheis, PhD
Jessica Dietch
University of North Texas
Accuracy of three assessments of sleep timing, duration and efficiency compared to a single-channel EEG device
Advisor: Daniel Taylor, PhD
Samantha DeDios
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cognitive assistive technology use among adults with multiple sclerosis: Application of self-determination theory
Advisor: Eun-Jeong Lee, PhD
2015-2016 Academic Year
Jilian O'Neill
Medical/Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Her project involves examining neuropsychological predictors of returning to school among adolescents with concussion.
Advisor: Laura E. Dreer, PhD
Cassie Ross
Clinical Psychology, American School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University
Her dissertation involves the neuropsychological assessment and phenomenological investigation of cognitive problems in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
Advisors: Megan Carlos, PhD, Jenise Wong, MD and Ron Valle, PhD
Natasha S. DePesa
Clinical Psychology, University of Central Florida
Her dissertation concerns the assessment of the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an interdisciplinary chronic pain group for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Advisor: Dr. Jeffery Cassisi.
2014-2015 Academic Year
Preeti Sunderaraman
Drexel University
Her dissertation research is focused on financial capacity and neuropsychological performance in acquired brain injury.
Advisor: Dr. Maria Schultheis.
Victoria Bangieva
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS)
Her dissertation concerns coping, optimism, and physiological outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation.
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Perlmuter.
Stephanie Leung
Clinical Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS)
Her dissertation concerns intergenerational psychosocial factors and healthcare utilization in cardiac rehabilitation.
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Perlmuter
2013 - 2014 Academic Year
Kaitlin Blackstone
San Diego State University/University of California San Diego
Her dissertation will evaluate the efficacy of a brief metacognitive training module for neurocognitive rehabilitation in individuals with executive dysfunction in the context of comorbid methamphetamine dependence and HIV infection.
Advisors: David Moore, PhD, and Robert Heaton, PhD
Michael Williams
Wayne State University
His dissertation research is focused on neuropsychological predictors of engagement in rehabilitation therapy and functional independence in individuals with acquired brain injury.
Advisors: Lisa Rapport, PhD, and Robin Hanks, PhD.
2012 - 2013 Academic Year
Abbey J. Hughes
Kansas University Medical Center
Her dissertation is focused on neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neuropsychological markers of multiple sclerosis.
Advisor: Monica Kurylo, PhD
Chelsea Morse
Drexel University
Her dissertation title is “Using ecologically valid measures of neuropsychological function to predict vocational functioning in persons with multiple sclerosis”.
Advisor: Maria T. Schultheis, PhD.