How to Apply

Applicant Eligibility

1. Applicants must be masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral-level graduate students pursuing full-time studies in accredited programs at the time of the award (Fall semester of 2013) with an academic emphasis in topics of interest to disability programs, including public health, social work, economics, occupational medicine, vocational and rehabilitation counseling, public policy and administration, sociology, psychology, education, medicine, and law.
2. At the time of stipend award, selected graduate student researchers must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible for stipend award.
3. Members of minority and historically disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.
4. Applicants may submit more than one proposal for consideration per year, but can receive only one stipend award per year

Application Procedures

Please click here for suggested research topics.
All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, March 1, 2013.

1.     Click on the link below to submit the following documents. Please do not initiate the online application process until these materials are complete and ready to be submitted.

• A summary or abstract of the proposal describing research question(s), research design and expected policy or programmatic implications. One-half page maximum (12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, single-spaced).
• A research proposal (with title). Five page maximum (12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, single-spaced) excluding references, tables, and figures.
• Proof of Access to Data If secondary data is being used (data not collected by the applicant), a letter from the agency or organization clearly approving access to and use of data is required.
• IRB Approval Plan and Timeframe Projects must be reviewed by your academic institution’s IRB. Please address your plan for how and when this will be accomplished.
• A resume or curriculum vitae (12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, single-spaced)

2.     Two (2) Letters of Recommendation should be e-mailed separately to ddp@policyresearchinc.org by the individuals making recommendations.

• One (1) from the Faculty Mentor for this project clearly stating support of your proposed research as feasible and potentially impactful to the field, as well as a willingness to provide you with consistent guidance throughout the program year.
• One (1) from an academic or professional contact who can comment on the qualities that make you an effective researcher and your potential for success with independent research.

Evaluation
Applications will be screened for completeness and relevance to the subject area of this grant program. If judged incomplete, irrelevant or inadequate, the application will not be considered further.  If judged relevant, the application will be evaluated by a panel of scholars within your field and from other disciplines. Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1.     30% - The appropriateness and soundness of methodology, including research design, choice of data, methods of analysis, and other procedures.

2.     25% - Anticipated outcomes, policy or programmatic implications, and potential usefulness of the proposed research for SSA’s disability determination process.

3.     20% - Clarity of the statement of problem, specificity and relevance of research questions, and literature review. Your review should identify strengths and weaknesses of existing research and state how your proposed research will fill in gaps or increase existing knowledge.

4.     20% - Feasibility of completing project within a 1-year timeframe (reasonableness of time commitment related to data collection, analysis, and other procedures), including a statement of how this fits into your academic career (ex: part of dissertation).

5.     5% - Letters of Recommendation

Award decisions are expected by May 1, 2013.