Bisexual Research Award

A complete application consists of electronic versions of the following materials:

• One completed cover sheetopens in new window (DOC, 32KB).
• One copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV).
• One copy of the project description (please omit identifying information).
• One letter from the applicant’s faculty supervisor addressing the quality and feasibility of the project, and qualifications of the applicant.

The project description must be written in APA style (i.e., in accordance with the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Associationopens in new window). The project description may not exceed six pages and must be double-spaced, have one-inch margins, and be submitted in 12-point, Times New Roman font. The review of the project description is anonymous, so information identifying the applicant and institution should not appear anywhere in the project description.

The project description should include

1. the background and rationale for the project, including a succinct summary of past empirical findings that informed the proposed study;

2. a clear statement of the research questions or hypotheses;

3. the methodology, including description of and rationale for the participants, measures, procedures and data analysis;

4. anticipated or achieved findings;

5. potential implications of findings for the field;

6. timeline listing when each phase of the study would likely be completed (if it has not yet been completed); and

7. statement supporting the feasibility of the project.

The participant section should address the racial, ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity of the (actual or anticipated) sample, where appropriate, and, where relevant, the procedure section should describe how racial, ethnic, gender, cultural, and other diversity issues are addressed in the project.

Submission Instructions

Complete applications must be submitted on or before March 31, including the letter for the applicant’s faculty supervisor. 

Applicants must submit the cover sheet, CV and project description electronically (please include the applicant's name in file submission). These materials should be attached to a single email messageopens in new window. In the email subject heading please type “Bisexual Foundation Application (Your Name)” and type in your full name where indicated. For example, if your name were Jane Doe, your subject heading should be "Bisexual Foundation Application (Jane Doe)." Materials should be prepared in Microsoft Word format (preferably “doc” rather than “docx”). To facilitate record keeping, please use the following convention in naming your electronic documents: Document Type (Your Name). For example, if your name were Jane Doe, then your document names would be "Cover Sheet (Jane Doe)," "CV (Jane Doe)" and "Project Description (Jane Doe)."

The applicant’s faculty supervisor should attach their letter to an email messageopens in new window. The email subject heading should be “Bisexual Foundation Letter (Applicant Name)” with the student applicant’s full name where indicated. For example, if the student applicant’s name were Jane Doe, the subject heading should be "Bisexual Foundation Letter (Jane Doe)."

If you have any questions about the guidelines, do not hesitate to contact the Awards Chair.

Evaluation of Proposals and Selection of Award Recipients

The project description for each proposal will be evaluated by two or more reviewers using the following criteria:

1. Relevance to the advancement of research on the psychology of bisexuality.

2. Completeness, logic and relevance of the literature review to development of the research question(s).

3. Clarity of the description of the research question(s).

4. Appropriateness of the methodology to answering the research question(s) (e.g., sampling methods, sample size, established validity of instruments and data analysis techniques).

5. Overall originality and innovation of the proposed study.

6. Quality and completeness of the interpretation of the (actual or potential) results.

7. Feasibility, including likelihood of timely completion of project and dissemination of results.

Selection of award recipients will be mostly based on reviewers’ evaluations of project descriptions. However, supplemental materials (i.e., CV, letter) will also be considered in the selection process.

Notification and Conditions of Acceptance

The Division 44 Bisexual Issues Committee co-chair will notify the award recipients. The names of the award recipients will be announced at the APA convention in August, in the Division 44 newsletter, and on the Division 44 webpage and email list. Award recipients must submit a 1,500-word abstract of the project for publication in the Division 44 newsletter. Award recipients must acknowledge the American Institution of Bisexuality’s Bisexual Foundation in all publications and presentations resulting from the project. Award recipients are also encouraged to submit proposals to present the project’s findings at the APA Annual Convention. Disbursement of the award is contingent on evidence of IRB approval at the recipient’s institution (and any other institution involved in the study that requires review by its own IRB).

For questions and to submit your materials, please send an emailopens in new window to the Awards Chair.