Student column

Basic Psychological Science Research Grant

Do you have an innovative research idea for your thesis or dissertation, but are lacking the necessary funds to pay for supplies, reagents, or research participants? APAGS is currently accepting applications for their Basic Psychological Science Research Grant. This $1,000 grant provides research support for psychology and neuroscience graduate students working on psychological science projects.

In recent funding cycles, up to five grants have been funded. In the recent past, awarded grants have included such disciplines and research topics as neural sensitivity to risk and addiction, and the relationship between tobacco dependence and chronic pain. View more information regarding eligibility, the application process, and past winners. The deadline to apply is Dec. 5, 2012, so be sure to gather your materials soon for consideration during this funding cycle.

Translational Issues in Psychological Science

For those who did not attend the convention or have not checked out the latest issue of gradPSYCH, APAGS is developing a new APA journal tentatively titled Translational Issues in Psychological Science (TIPS). This journal is the first APA journal to exclusively examine translational issues.

Each individual issue will focus on one specific topic that is considered timely, important and/or potentially controversial in nature. For each topic, manuscripts that target applications from basic psychological science to real-world interests for the general public will be presented. Four characteristics that will make TIPS unique are:

• Each issue will be based on a different theme that will be broadly defined within psychological science and edited by a different special issue editor;

• Each issue’s special issue guest editor will be working with a team of associate editors who are advanced predoctoral or early postdoctoral scholars;

• Each article within an issue will have at least one senior scientist author and one student author; and

• Each article will focus on extending psychological science findings to a broader audience including, but not limited to, clinical practitioners, public interest groups or the general public.

The APAGS Journal Working Group is currently in the process of advertising and searching for the inaugural editor-in-chief for TIPS. Responsibilities of the editor will include:

• Maintaining the overall vision of the journal in its execution of translational psychology and graduate mentorship;

• Consulting in the selection of special issue editors and associate editors for special issues;

• Reviewing and approving editorial content and decisions;

• Consulting on the content of issues as requested by associate editors and special issue editors;

• Mentoring and instructing graduate students in their roles as associate editors and reviewers; and

• Overseeing the timely publication of each issue.

If you have a specific mentor in mind for TIPS, the Journal Working Group is looking for the following specific characteristics:

• Commitment to developing graduate students as editors and reviewers through a dedication to mentorship;

• Experience as a journal editor, associate editor, or a similar experience;

• Experience in facilitating collaborations;

• Demonstrated interest in a wide variety of psychology topics and disciplines, a commitment to translating basic research findings into applications, and an enthusiasm to disseminate the knowledge and contributions of psychology beyond the field; and

• Established history as a scholar in psychology.

Nominations for the TIPS editor-in-chief can be sent to Megan Smith.