SCRA Student Research Grant

SCRA Student Research Grant

Research grants are available to SCRA student members for thesis and dissertation projects. Each grant is for research expenditures up to $1,000. For the 2023 application cycle, funding has been approved for 3 thesis and 3 dissertation grants.

Request for Proposals

2023 web version below. 2023 PDF version will be posted here when available.

Background and Purpose

The SCRA Student Research Grant is funded by the Society for Community Research and Action and presented by the Society's Student Representatives, Aaron S. Baker and Raquel E. Rose, to supplement the financial needs of students’ thesis or dissertation projects. The grant is competitive, and selection is based on the quality of the student's grant application, feasibility, relevance to community psychology values and methods, and demonstration of financial need to complete the proposed project. 

Terms and Funding

Each grant is for up to $1,000.00. Three are allocated to thesis projects while three are allocated to dissertation projects. 

Important Dates

• Application due: March 29 2023

• Decision notification sent to applicants: April 28, 2023

• Funds used and grant final report submitted to student representatives: December 1, 2023

• Given this, applicants should have either received approval for their proposed project before applying or soon after in order to incur appropriate expenditures within the grant timeframe.

Eligibility

• Students working toward a degree in community psychology or a related field.

• Paid student membership (SCRA Student Membership, SCRA Undergrad Membership) if awarded grant.

• Supervised and endorsed by a project supervisor; proposed projects may be in progress at the time of application.

• Human Subjects Review/Institutional Review Board or equivalent approval is required before any funds are disbursed; though, approval prior to application is preferred. 

Submission Requirements

All items listed here should be consolidated into 1 PDF document.

1. Grant Proposal

The proposal should be no more than 6 pages, double spaced, including the following sections:

• Literature Review: The literature review must contain the specific research questions, and, if appropriate, hypotheses under examination in the current proposal. Literature reviews will be judged on the extent to which the applicant successfully conveys the need for the current research and its role in addressing a problem identified in the literature or community in which the research will be conducted. Applicants must demonstrate the relevance of their research to the principles of community research and action.

• Methods: The methods section should describe in detail how the proposed study or project will be conducted. Characteristics of the intended target group/participants should be fully described. Additionally, applicants should address recruitment strategies, intended use of existing measures (if any), and procedures. Consent, assurance of confidentiality, and debriefing procedures must be addressed. Finally, the study design should be discussed, including resources utilized. If the applicant will be collaborating with any organizations or community groups outside of their university, their expected involvement and relationship to the applicant should be described. Methodology sections will be judged on their scientific merit as well as feasibility, and concordance with community psychology principles (see selection criteria for principles).

• Data Analytic Plan: The grant application must include a proposed analytic plan. This entails addressing each research question or hypothesis and discussing a respective analysis procedure appropriate to the methodological paradigm (qualitative and/or quantitative). Statistical or qualitative procedures must be detailed and justified.

2. Reflexivity Statement about Relation to Power, Privilege, Liberation, and/or Oppression

The reflexivity statement must clearly describe (1) the impact of the research activities or outcomes, and (2) the role of the researcher on the literature or praxis within communities regarding power, privilege, liberation, and/or oppression. 

3. Proposed Budget

The budget should include all expected costs and any additional sources of funding. Applicants must indicate which expenses they intend to cover with the SCRA student research grant if they are awarded. This section may be formatted in a table or standard text. Funds may not be used to pay grant recipients for their time. 

4. Timeline

Applicants must demonstrate that the funded portion of the research can be completed by December 5, 2022. A proposed timeline using general milestones (including proposal date, IRB submission, data collection, data analysis, defense, and dissemination) must be submitted with the application.

Additional Items

• Human Subjects Review/Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval. If human subjects/institutional review board approval has been received for the proposed project, letters stating approval with the title, date of approval, and protocol number should be submitted through the application. Proof of approval by a human subjects/institutional review board is not required prior to submitting your application, but it is required before awards will be disbursed.

• Project Supervisor Endorsement. A project supervisor will need to provide endorsement of the grant proposal, confirming the project type and affirming the project’s feasibility and merit, given the project’s design and the student’s skills, experience, and potential. No letter is required or considered. The endorsement will be solicited through the application review and approval process.

Application Process

The application process for 2023 is open! When it re-opens, all materials will be submitted through an online form (https://form.jotform.com/230744839906163). Questions can be directed to Raquel Rose, studentreps@scra27.org.

Selection Process 

Grant proposals will be reviewed by a committee that includes: the two current SCRA graduate Student Representatives and 2-3 student members of SCRA. The committee will be overseen by SCRA student representative Aaron S. Baker.

Selection Criteria

A. Relevance to Community Research and Action. (5 points) The proposal must clearly reflect how the research utilizes, contributes to, or expands on existing principles of community research. Applicants should demonstrate their knowledge of community research principles and ability to implement sound research based on existing theories. These principles include:

• Acknowledging that individuals are embedded in multiple levels of social context

• A commitment to honoring diversity

• A commitment to social change

• Asset-based: Rather than deficits, the strengths of communities and individuals should be emphasized 

• Knowledge is developed within a values system in line with the field of Community Psychology

B. Methods Reflective of Community Psychology. (5 points) The proposal must clearly reflect how the research utilizes and reflects research methods appropriate to community psychology principles and values. Applicants should demonstrate their knowledge of community psychology research methods. These principles include: 

• Research methods that are embedded in multiple levels of social context

• Research methods that honor diversity

• Research methods that are participatory in nature and include the involvement of community partners at all stages

• Proposal leads to identifiable implementation of results for the benefit of community partners

C. Reflexivity Statement about Relation to Power, Privilege, Liberation, and/or Oppression. (5 points)The proposal must clearly describe the impact of both: 

• the research activities or outcomes, and 

• the role of the researcher on the literature or praxis within communities regarding power, privilege, liberation, and/or oppression.
  

D. Clarity of Writing. (3 points) The grant submission process provides an opportunity for students to develop skills necessary for writing competitive grants, scholarships, and fellowships offered by other institutions (both private and public). Thus, applications will be judged on the brevity and clarity of the entire proposal.

E. Feasibility of Project Completion. (3 points) It is important that the project’s proposed scope be within reason, and that the project be an important step in a student’s progress, rather than a roadblock to degree completion. Feasibility should be demonstrated in the details of the methodology, plan for analyses, budget, and timeline sections.

F. Rationale for Funding. (2 points) Applicants must describe how this grant will assist in project or degree completion (either by itself or in addition to already obtained funding).

2021 SCRA Student Research Awards

Dissertation Awards

Congratulations to the 2021 awardees: Munazza, Lama, Jennifer, and Emmanuel!

Lama Hassoun Ayoub

Title: The Impact of Neighborhood Contextual Factors on Childhood Experiences of Parent Incarceration and Related Outcomes

Munazza Saalim Abraham

Title: Addressing Oppression: A Bystander Intervention for Clinical Psychologists

Jennifer Renick

Title: Improving School Climate in Middle School to Advance Educational Equity for Low-Income, Latinx Students

Thesis Award

Emmanuel-Sathya Gray

Title: Voices of the Youth Climate Justice Movement: Sharing Successes and Challenges

2020 SCRA Student Research Awards

Congratulations Tatiana, McKenzie, Anna, and Roxxanne!

Dissertation Awards

Tatiana Bustos 

Title: Community-Academic Partnerships: A Mixed Methods Exploration on Collaboration, Network Changes, and Outcomes in Health Equity Efforts

McKenzie Stokes

Title: Increasing the Visibility of Biracial Youth in Racial Socialization Research: A Scale Development Study

Anna Weicker

Title: Losing a Family Member to Police Violence: An Exploration of Family Needs Following Death by Law Enforcement

Thesis Award

Roxxanne Newman

Title: Recovery Capital as a Mediator Between Stress and Drug Taking Abstinence Self-Efficacy