Thinking About Applying for the International Research Travel Award (IRTA)?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRTA?
The Global Solutions in Research and Clinical Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders program is designed to enlighten, educate, mentor and enhance beginning investigators and clinicians as they embark upon either basic or applied research careers in CSD. The objectives of IRTA are to provide individuals an opportunity to (a) learn more about current research across different regions of the globe in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), (b) network with seasoned professionals currently conducting research in the area of ASD, (c) establish collaborative partnerships that focus on research and clinical service delivery best practices and (d) to advance global investigation and understanding of ASD. View the IRTA Application Form [PDF].
Who sponsors the award?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) sponsors this award with funding from the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders in support of the Association's strategic objectives to strengthen strategic relationships and to increase the membership's commitment to collaborative research and practice across the globe.
What is the value of the award?
The recipients will receive a stipend of at least $2,500.00 to attend The Global Solutions in Research and clinical Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders Conference at the IALP Congress in Athens, Greece. The stipend is intended to be used to apply toward convention-related travel expenses (i.e., conference registration, airfare, meals, lodging, etc.). The stipend is not intended to cover all travel expenses that may be incurred.
Who is eligible to apply?
An individual is eligible to apply for an International Research Travel Award (IRTA) if he/she meets all of the following criteria at the time of application submission:
- Has documented experience working with (clinically or research) the target population
- Is a current ASHA member
- Is a U.S. citizen
- Is either
- An advanced PhD student
- A postdoctoral fellow
- An individual with fewer than 6 years of experience in a tenure-track faculty position (or below the associate professor rank), or
- A practitioner in the field of CSD
What materials are to be included in the application packet?
The IRTA Application Packet consists of the following:
- Completed IRTA Application Form [PDF]
- Research Prospectus (Microsoft Word)
- Letter of support from an academic-research mentor (Microsoft Word)
- Research Statement (Microsoft Word)
- Curriculum Vitae detailing research and clinical activities (Microsoft Word)
How should my application packet be submitted?
All completed application packets must be submitted electronically via email attachment. The application packets will include the IRTA Application Form [PDF] plus four Microsoft Word documents including the research prospectus, letter of support, research statement and CV to Olga Zografos at ozografos@asha.org no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on January 15, 2010.
What information should be included in the research prospectus portion of the application packet?
The prospectus must be no more than 5-7 single-spaced pages (prepared in 12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced with all margins set at 1 inch); and must describe a new line of research with global impact, that has not been previously funded by the applicant. Applications that focus on interdisciplinary research, and include populations other than the applicants ethnic, racial, and cultural group are encouraged.
What information should be included in the research statement of the application packet?
The Research Statement should not exceed one (1) page (single-spaced, with 11-point font) in length. The Research Statement will describe the applicant's expectations for attending the conference and participating in the IRTA Program (i.e. discuss how participation in IRTA program, and attendance at this meeting could serve to enhance his/her research career goals.
What information should be included in the curriculum vitae?
The Curriculum Vitae should include a list of recent publications and grant submissions spanning the last three to five years; and other relevant educational, clinical, and research experiences. The vitae should not exceed ten (10) pages in length.
Who can submit a letter of support on my behalf?
A person may submit a letter of support on your behalf who has worked with you on your research or capstone project, who is aware of your interest in being involved in research and professional aims relative to your project, and/or who may provide you with assistance and advice with respect to your research activities. The letter should address your interest in adding a research component to your career, and your potential for advancing the scientific knowledge base of the discipline.
A person submitting a letter of support on your behalf must hold a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, speech science, or a related discipline; but need not be employed at the same institution you are enrolled; and need not hold a faculty appointment within a communication sciences and disorders program.
What are the selection criteria?
The review panel will use the following criteria to rate each application:
- Rationale of response
- Clarity of response
- Organization of response
- Research interests
- Research and/or clinical experiences
- Future research goals and/or clinical goals
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from mentor
When will I be notified of the outcome of the application review process?
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the application review process in February 2010.
If selected, how is the award distributed?
You will receive a travel stipend check (made payable to the applicant) within 45 days prior to the Conference.
What sessions and events am I expected to attend at the IALP Congress?
Each award recipient will be expected to attend the following:
- The Global Solutions in Research and Clinical Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders Conference at the IALP Congress on Thursday August 26, 2010 (5 sessions)
- The IRTA lunch (Meet and greet invited presenters, mentors, and other award winners at this networking lunch.)
- Other IALP Congress sessions of interest (Be sure to attend the scientific program sessions, posters, and events.)
- Poster sessions (Submit and monitor a poster session on the topic of ASD - August 26, 2010.)
How can I locate more specific information about the IALP Congress?
Please refer to the ASHA Web site for more details about the Global Solutions in Research and Clinical Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders conference 2010 IALP Congress. Please also visit the International Association of Logopedics & Phoniatrics (IALP) Web site.
What if I still have questions? Contact Lemmietta McNeilly, PhD, Chief Staff Officer for Speech-Language Pathology, at lmcneilly@asha.org or 301-296-5705.