American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers (SPARC) Award

Purpose

The goal of the Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers (SPARC) is to foster students' interest in PhD education and academic research careers. Currently, there is a shortage of PhD-level faculty in communication sciences and disorders. Initially developed to address this shortage, this award continues as part of ASHA's commitment to research. The SPARC Award provides opportunities for students to participate in mentored teaching and research activities.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to apply if your current education status is:

  • junior or senior undergraduate student enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program
  • first-year master's student enrolled in a CAA-accredited [PDF] CSD program
  • first- or second-year entry-level clinical doctoral (e.g., AuD) student enrolled in a CAA-accredited [PDF] program
  • holder of a BA degree and an offer of admission for enrollment in a master's CSD or AuD program for the 2013–2014 academic year

You are not eligible to apply if you are enrolled in a PhD program or if you already have a PhD degree. The goal of the SPARC award is to foster students' interest in the pursuit of a PhD education and a career in academia. The award is, therefore, limited to undergraduate, graduate students, and first- and second-year entry-level clinical doctoral students per eligibility criteria above.

You are eligible to receive the award if your education status in academic year 2013–2014 will be

  • senior undergraduate
  • first- or second-year student in master's speech language pathology program
  • first-, second-, or third-year entry-level student in clinical doctoral (e.g., AuD) program
  • part-time or full-time enrollee in a CSD program (CAA-accredited, as described above) in the United States

Awardees must be National NSSLHA members at the time of the SPARC award allocation.

Application Requirements

SPARC applicants must complete the online application form and upload PDF documents through the online application system. Please see the application instructions for detailed descriptions of what to include in the following required materials:

  • completed application form
  • CSD Career Mentoring Plan to include a Teaching Plan and a Research Plan
  • SPARC essay question response
  • letter of recommendation from the primary mentor
  • commitment statement [PDF] from the primary mentor
  • budget proposal for the 15-month funding period
  • offer of admission letter for SPARC applicants newly enrolling in a graduate program for AY 2013–2014 (as applicable)

View current and former SPARC Award recipients.

Questions? Please refer to the SPARC FAQs. Still have questions? Please contact Academic Affairs and Research Education at academicaffairs@asha.org.

Interested in serving as a reviewer? At a minimum, reviewers must hold a PhD degree and have a faculty appointment. Additional requirements may apply. Contact academicaffairs@asha.org.

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