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What is SPARC?
- SPARC stands for Students Preparing for Academic & Research Careers.
- The goal of SPARC is to foster students' interest in the pursuit of PhD education and careers in academia in order to fill faculty/researcher vacancies in communication sciences and disorders (CSD).
- The SPARC award is designed to provide opportunities for enhanced educational mentorship experiences that prepare students for successful PhD education and academic careers, travel to enhance teaching and research exposure, and teaching and research experience under a mentor.
Who sponsors the award?
ASHA sponsors this award in support of its Strategic Objective to increase research commitment.
How much is awarded?
As many as 10 students will be awarded up to $1,500 for teaching and research enhancement activities, such as travel to a research, pedagogy conference or meeting; travel for a visit to an off-campus site that provides learning opportunities in a research lab or college classroom setting; or course registration to support the mentoring plans outlined in the application.
How can SPARC Award funds be used?
Examples of appropriate uses of funds include
- purchasing necessary supplies (e.g., books, software)
- attending the ASHA Convention and/or other relevant conventions, meetings, or conferences
- traveling for a visit to an off-campus site that provides learning opportunities in a research lab and/or a college classroom setting
- course registration to support the mentoring plan outlined in the application
Am I eligible?
You are eligible to apply if your current education status is
- junior or senior undergraduate
- first year master's student*
- first and second year entry level clinical doctoral (e.g., AuD) student*
- enrolled part-time or full-time in a CSD program in the United States during the academic year 2008-2009
* You are not eligible to apply if you already have a PhD degree or if you are enrolled in a PhD program (whether in CSD or any other discipline). The goal of the SPARC award is to foster students' interest in the pursuit of PhD education and careers in academia in order to fill faculty/researcher vacancies in CSD. 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 academic year 2009-2010 education status will be
- senior undergraduate
- first or second year master's**
- first, second, or third year entry-level clinical doctorate (AuD)**
- enrolled part-time or full-time in a CSD program in the United States
**Master's degree and entry-level clinical doctoral students must be in a program accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
How can I apply?
- Use this application form [PDF].
- Announcements/calls for applications are distributed to all academic programs.
Eligible candidates must submit the following:
- completed application form [PDF]
- CSD Career Mentoring Plan to include a Teaching Plan and a Research Plan
- 500-word response to the essay question, "What are your goals for teaching and research in higher education and how would this award help you achieve these goals?"
- letter of recommendation from the primary mentor
- commitment statement [PDF] from the primary mentor
- budget proposal for the 12-month funding period with accompanying justification
What are the reviewers looking for?
- Reviewers will evaluate your CSD Career Mentoring Plan which includes a plan to develop skills in teaching (teaching plan), and a plan to develop skills in research (research plan).
- Reviewers consider how your proposed plan meets the goals of the SPARC Award to promote PhD career development.
Examples of teaching plan activities:
- Meet with a member of your mentoring team to identify teaching objectives and learner outcomes for a CSD course.
- Observe your mentor teaching a series of lectures or labs to achieve the objectives, and engage in follow-up discussion with your mentor about this experience.
- Visit another higher education institution to observe and interact with a teacher-researcher in an area of interest to you.
- Participate in activities or courses that will develop teaching skills; assist a faculty member in the preparation of teaching materials/handouts; guest lecture under the direction of a faculty mentor; or attend a conference about teaching and learning styles pertinent to college level learning.
Examples of research plan activities:
- Visit research facilities.
- Assist your mentoring team in their research projects.
- Prepare a manuscript.
- Present research at a conference.
- Prepare a grant application.
- Design and conduct your own research project.
- Particular emphasis will be given to those applications whose teaching and/or research plans have a focus in interdisciplinary collaboration and/or multiculturalism.
- Reviewers evaluate your response to the essay questions. When writing your essay, keep the goals of SPARC in mind. Be aware of organization, grammar, punctuation, clarity, and the strength of your argument or thesis.
- Reviewers look at the budget you submit, its details and justification.
When is the application due?
Applications must be received by May 15, 2009.
If I have been selected, when will I be notified?
Award recipients will be notified in August 2009.
If I receive the award, is it taxable?
- Yes, this award is considered taxable income by the I.R.S.
- You may choose to apply for the award through your university's grants/awards office or apply directly as an individual. The award funding will be provided directly to you or to your university depending upon the method of application that you select. Seek information from your personal tax advisor about which option would be best for you.
- You or your university will be given a W-9 to complete before you receive your award.
- If you received the funds directly from ASHA, your award amount will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099, and a copy of the form will be sent to you. If ASHA disburses the award directly to your institution, you will need to find out what their tax reporting practices are.
- ASHA is not in the position to offer specific tax advice. However, to help you understand your obligations, more information may be found in I.R.S. Publication 970.
What if I still have questions?
Contact Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@asha.org.
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