NSA Graduate Student Research Award

Empowering Innovative Graduate Research in Stuttering​

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The National Stuttering Association (NSA) is proud to offer the Graduate Student Research Award, a $5,000 funding opportunity for graduate students conducting impactful research on stuttering. Formerly known as the NSA Research Fund Award, this grant has been awarded annually since 2022—made possible by the generosity of the NSA community.

This year, the award is presented in loving memory of Diane Games, honoring her legacy and lifelong contributions to speech-language pathology and stuttering research.

 

Who Can Apply?

We welcome proposals from graduate students whose work supports the NSA's mission to advance understanding, support, and treatment of stuttering.​

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Eligibility Requirements:

• The project must focus specifically on stuttering research

• The PI must be a graduate student in good academic standing

• The PI must be affiliated with a U.S.-based nonprofit or public/government institution

• The NSA cannot award funding directly to individuals

• IRB approval must be submitted within 45 days of award notification

• Applications for non-research activities (e.g., curriculum development, professional development, or capital projects) will not be considered

 

Award Details & Restrictions:

• Funding Amount: Up to $5,000

• No Indirect Costs: Overhead expenses are not permitted.

• Project Timeline: Must be completed within two years.

• One Active Award Per Student: Graduate students may only hold one active NSA research grant at a time. However, institutions may submit multiple applications for different projects.

• New Research Only: This award cannot be used to extend a study that is already receiving external funding.

Evaluation Criteria:

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Significance: Contribution to stuttering research

• Innovation: Novelty in speech-language pathology research

• Alignment with NSA’s Mission: Relevance to the stuttering community

• Research Design: Methodological rigor and feasibility

• Investigator Merit: PI’s research potential

• Resources & Environment: Institutional support for the project

• Budget Justification: Clear explanation of funding needs

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Key Dates:

• Application Opens: February 17, 2026

• Submission Deadline: March 17, 2026

• Award Notification: Early May 2026

 

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a single-spaced PDF document with the following sections in this exact order:​

1. Abstract (1 page)

   • Summary of objectives, methods, and NSA alignment

2. Research Plan (8 pages)

   • Specific Aims & Significance

   • Design, Methodology, Participants, Data Collection, Analysis

   • Facilities & Resources

3. References & Appendix (6 pages max)

   • May include data collection tools such as surveys or guides

4. Management Plan (2 pages)

   • Project timeline, deliverables, and dissemination

5. Itemized Budget (2 pages)

   • Detailed breakdown and justification

6. Biographical Sketch (5 pages max)

   • NIH-style sketch (template available via NIH)

7. Human Subjects Section (3 pages max, if IRB is not yet approved)

   • Description of participants, recruitment, consent, risks, and safeguards

 

Additional Required Documents

• Unofficial Transcripts (proof of current enrollment)

• IRB Approval (if available at time of submission)

• Optional Cover Letter (may include reviewer inclusion/exclusion requests with justification)

 

Incomplete or improperly formatted applications will not be reviewed.