Advancing Academic-Research Careers (AARC) Award

AARC Resources

Purpose

The Advancing Academic-Research Careers (AARC) Award is intended to support the academic-research careers of early career faculty in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). AARC is an award that supports mentored activities in both teaching and research.

Up to 10 awards of $5,000 each will be granted. In support of ASHA's strategic objectives, preference will be given to those applications that focus the mentored teaching and/or research (including the scholarship of teaching and learning) component on the following:

Clinical Practice Research. Clinical practice research in CSD is distinct from research aimed primarily at understanding the mechanisms underlying normal or disordered processing. Rather, it refers to research that focuses on the prevention, diagnostics, treatment, implementation, and outcomes measurement of communication, swallowing, and balance disorders. Clinical practice research, due to its applied nature, has the potential to impact clinical practice in the near term.
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI). DEI topics include bilingualism, multiculturalism, gender identity, sexual orientation, non-mainstream dialects, and identifying and addressing racism, among other topics that promote diversity and cultural responsiveness in the discipline.
Implementation Science. "Implementation science is the scientific study of variables and conditions that impact changes at practice, organization, and systems levels; changes that are required to promote the systematic uptake, sustainability and effective use of evidence-based programs and practices in typical service and social settings.” (Blasé & Fixsen, 2010, National Implementation Research Network)
Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Practice (IPE/IPP). ASHA has adapted the World Health Organization's (WHO) definitions of IPE/IPP as follows:

IPE occurs when two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve outcomes for individuals and families whom we serve.
IPP occurs when multiple service providers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive healthcare or educational services by working with individuals and their families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care across settings.

Applicants work in conjunction with mentors to develop mentored teaching and research plans tailored to the applicant's career stage. The plans—which propose specific teaching and research activities that mentees will complete under the guidance of their mentors during the 18-month funding period—are submitted as part of the AARC application. Examples of acceptable activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Mentored teaching activities, such as

learning new teaching or mentoring techniques;
attending or presenting at a conference on the scholarship of teaching and learning;
leading a mentoring program such as a journal club;
incorporating theories of teaching/learning into your own courses;
incorporating contemporary technologies (e.g., social media, telepractice) or instrumentation (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI]) into course work and student mentoring; and
developing new curricula or unique learning opportunities (e.g., problem-based learning, interprofessional education, distance learning, or student research opportunities).

Mentored research activities, such as

learning a new research methodology or technique;
attending or presenting at a research conference;
participating in a training course on data analysis;
training in another research lab;
preparing a research manuscript or grant application; and
conducting a feasibility study or collecting data for a pilot study.

In addition, the AARC award offers a professional networking opportunity for those who attend the ASHA Convention. AARC awardees are invited to attend a reception exclusively for ASHA's research education program awardees, participants, and faculty. For those attending Convention, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow AARC awardees, learn about and meet participants in ASHA's other research education programs, and network with the experienced faculty who have been involved in the success of these programs.

AARC is part of ASHA's Academic and Research Mentoring (ARM) Network. The ARM Network offers programs for those who are considering, launching, and advancing academic-research careers in CSD. ASHA measures the impact of these programs by collecting participant outcomes data.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants: Each applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

Has earned a research doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent).
Has a full-time, faculty appointment below the rank of associate professor within a CSD department in a U.S.-based academic institution.* Primary responsibilities must include teaching and conducting research.

Postdoctoral fellows may apply only if (a) they have already accepted a faculty position that meets the eligibility criteria and (b) they will be a faculty member at the time of award disbursement.
Non-tenure-track and instructor-level faculty are eligible to apply as long as the appointment meets all of the other eligibility criteria.

Is an ASHA member (with or without certification).*
Has not previously received an AARC Award.

*Required at the time of award disbursement

Mentoring Team: Your mentors are the people you'll be working with on your proposed activities; therefore, they should know your interests, needs, and goals as described in your teaching and research plans. They should also be in a position to provide you with advice and feedback during plan development and throughout the award period. They may be affiliated with your university or based elsewhere. The mentoring team must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

The team must be composed of at least two mentors: one to support the applicant's teaching plan and one to support the applicant's research plan.
All teaching mentors must have doctorates (e.g., PhD, AuD, SLPD, MD).
All research mentors must have research doctorates.
At least one mentor must be a faculty member in a CSD department.

Award Requirements

Before funds disbursement, the awardee must submit a University Agreement and Disbursement Form completed by their university's Grants Management Office. The Grants Management Office must submit two additional documents: (1) an EFT (direct deposit) form; and (2) an IRS Form W-9.
Awardees must submit an interim progress report to describe their progress toward the goals specified in their mentored research and teaching plans.
Awardees must submit a final report to describe their achievements related to the goals in their mentored research and teaching plans, to report on expenses, and to reflect on their awardee experience.
Awardees must request and receive approval (in writing from ASHA) prior to acting on any proposed changes to the mentoring plans or budget.
Awardees must provide updates on their scholarly achievements in the years following their participation in this program, when requested by ASHA. These data are critical for the Association’s future program planning.

View current and former AARC Award recipients.

How to Apply

The 2024 AARC Award application period opens on February 15, 2024, and closes on April 30, 2024. Applicants must complete an online application form, upload several PDF documents, and submit the entire package by the established deadline. See the application instructions for details on the required documents and to access the online application system. ASHA will notify applicants in July and will disburse funding to awardees no later than mid-September 2024.

Applications are reviewed by individuals holding a PhD and who are at the rank of associate professor or above. Additional requirements may apply.

If you have questions about applying or are interested in serving as a reviewer, contact the Academic Affairs and Research Education team at aarcsparc@asha.org.