Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award Frequently Asked Questions
How can Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award funds be used?
Examples of appropriate uses of funds include:
- Costs incurred traveling to the Convention (airline ticket, bus fare, taxi fare, etc.)
- Meals
- Various other expenses related to the Annual Convention
Please note: the stipend provided by the travel award is meant to help defray the cost of attending the Symposium; it is not meant to cover all expenses associated with travel to the Convention.
Can I apply for the award if I have already received funding from another source?
An individual who has received other ASHA travel awards is also eligible to apply for the RMPTA.
Protégés are required to provide a letter of support from their chosen mentor. Who is that? Does he or she have to be someone at my university, or may they be based elsewhere?
Protégés are able to pick a mentor of their choice; however, mentors are required to be seasoned investigators in either an academic, clinical, or research environment. Your mentor may be affiliated with your university or based elsewhere. You must be able to extend a relationship with your mentor beyond the Symposium.
Are there are any specific requirements regarding the letter of support?
There aren't any specific requirements regarding the letter of recommendation from your primary mentor or letter of support from your CSD program director or department chair. But generally, your letter of recommendation should show that your mentor is aware of your interests, needs, goals, etc. relative to your proposed project. It should also show that he or she is in a position to provide you with advice, counsel, etc. during the development of your proposed plan and throughout the coming year. Generally, your letter of support from your CSD program director or department chair should show his or her/the program's commitment to you and to your proposed plan.
How do I submit my application materials?
Your letter of support and all other application materials must be sent electronically. The letter may be sent with the rest of your application materials (preferred) or sent to research@asha.org separately. Please submit the completed application packet (including both Mentor [PDF] and Protégé [PDF] application forms) by 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2011.
Protégés and mentors must apply for this award as a pair. Who is responsible for submitting what during the application process?
Protégés will submit the following: (a) a completed protégé application form, (b) a curriculum vitae, resume, or narrative biographical sketch detailing educational, clinical, and research experiences, and (c) a 1,000 word essay (maximum) describing current research interests/activities, how attendance at the Symposium could serve to enhance personal career goals, and why this mentor-protégé team is an appropriate match and will facilitate the goals of the protégé.
Mentors will be required to provide to the protégé: (a) a completed mentor application form, (b) a current curriculum vitae, and (c) a mentoring plan outlining the mentor-protégé relationship both during and after the Symposium, and (d) a letter of support from the mentor that acknowledges their agreement to the mentoring plan.
The protégé is responsible for submitting the entire application packet as one e-mail submission following these instructions:
- Completed protégé application [PDF] form. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_protégés_application."
- Curriculum vitae, resume or narrative biographical sketch detailing educational, clinical, and research experiences. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_CV."
- 1,000 word essay stating current research interests and activities, how attendance at this meeting could serve to enhance personal research career goals, and why this mentor protégé team is an appropriate match and will facilitate the goals of the protégé. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_Essay."
- Completed mentor application [PDF] form. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_mentor_application."
- Mentor's current curriculum vitae. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_mentor_CV."
- Mentoring plan outlining the mentor-protégé relationship both during and after the Symposium. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_Plan."
- Letter of support from the mentor that acknowledges their agreement to the mentoring plan. Save this document as "your name_RMPTA_Letter."
What will the award application review process entail?
The Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Awards will be made based on a competitive application process. Following the submission deadline, all applications will be sent to a group of designated reviewers. Selections will be based on reviewers' assessments of the following documents:
- Biographical sketch
- 1,000-word essay
- Mentor's outlined plan to extend the mentoring relationship beyond the Symposium
- Letter of support from the mentor
Reviewers' comments on the applications will also be considered. Special consideration will be given to individuals whose research or research interests are (a) relevant to the Symposium topic, (b) interdisciplinary and/or translational in nature, or (c) related to issues of cultural or linguistic diversity. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application in August 2011.
If selected, when will I receive my award payment?
Award payments will be made within 30 days following the conclusion of the annual Convention. Please note: Travel Award recipients must complete and submit a W-9 form to ASHA before any award payment can be made. You may access this W-9 form [PDF] online.
Is the Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award considered taxable income?
The award is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). At year's end, your award amount will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099, and a copy of the form will be sent to you and your mentor. ASHA cannot offer specific tax advice. However, to help you understand your obligations, additional information may be found in IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education [PDF].