Requesting Proposals for Multiple Research Grants!

The Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC) is committed to excellence in scholarship through the awarding of grants to support high quality research. AARC is issuing this Request for Proposals for two student grants and the Sponsored Scholarship Program.

Please see details for each opportunity below and the specific information required for all proposals on the last page.

Student Grants

Donald Hood Student Research Grant: This annual grant program is designed to recognize and honor those who are seeking to complete research investigations that show promise for outstanding contributions to the counseling profession. The recipient of the Donald Hood Student Research Grant will receive a cash award up to $500.00, a certificate of recognition, and acknowledgment of the award in AARC's various news outlets. Information on eligibility criteria and submission requirements can be found HERE. For questions, please email the AARC Scholarly Grants Committee at [email protected].

Multicultural Assessment and Research in Counseling (MARC) Student Grant: This annual grant program is designed to recognize and honor AARC student members who are seeking to complete assessment or research initiatives that have a multicultural or social justice focus. Examples might include, but are not limited to, instrument development and/or validation; program evaluation; emerging practices and processes; outcome research; and qualitative, mixed-methods, or quantitative investigations. The recipient of the MARC Student Grant will receive a cash award up to $500.00, a certificate of recognition, and acknowledgment of the award in AARC's various news outlets. Information on eligibility criteria and submission requirements can be found HERE. For questions, please email the AARC Scholarly Grants Committee at [email protected].

Opportunities for Counseling Students, Counselors, Counselor Educators, and Practioner-Scholars

Sponsored Scholarship Program: The goal of the SSP is to identify and fund quality research programs that further the mission and vision of AARC. Based on our commitment to supporting the growth of quality research and assessment in the counseling profession, we will be funding up to $20,000 in SSP grants this cycle. Recipients will be recognized at the 2025 AARC annual conference. Counseling students, counselors, counselor educators, and practitioner-scholars are highly encouraged to apply for this unique funding opportunity.

SSP grants will be awarded in each of the following categories:

  • Professional PI (Faculty & Professional Members): Maximum budget of $4,500

  • Student PI: Maximum budget of $2,500

AARC welcomes proposals that focus on assessment practices, measurement development, and research examining counseling outcomes.

We are particularly interested in proposals that involve:

  1. International collaborations: U.S.-based principal investigators partnering with non-U.S.-based researchers to conduct intercountry studies examining topics such as:

    • Cross-cultural dynamics in counseling practices

    • Assessment methodologies

    • Mental health care access

    • Interventions aimed at reducing disparities across cultural contexts

  2. Researcher-practitioner collaborations: Projects that leverage the unique insights and expertise of both researchers and practitioners to address pressing issues in the field, promote best practices, and ultimately improve client care.

Information on eligibility criteria and submission requirements can be found HERE. Any inquiries should be directed to the AARC Grants Committee at the following email address: [email protected]

Proposal Requirements

To be considered for funding, all proposals must address the following:

  1. Title page:

    • Category of submission (e.g., Student PI, Untenured faculty PI, Tenured faculty PI)

    • ACA membership numbers for all PIs

    • A statement confirming that all PIs and Co-PIs listed on the proposal are current AARC Members

  2. Purpose statement

  3. Description of congruence with AARC mission

  4. Need for project

  5. Methodology (participant characteristics, procedure, data analysis, strategies to ensure ethical compliance of research)

  6. Public policy implications

  7. Plan for dissemination of results

  8. Proposed timeline

  9. General budget (no indirect costs [IDC] allowed)

  10. Funding consideration statement: Indicate whether you wish to be considered for partial funding, or whether you only wish to be considered for full funding

NOTE: Awards at the Professional level should also address how their research will provide research mentorship of either students, untenured faculty, or colleagues.

Requirements for Awardees

  • Complete paperwork to process allocations of funds, including submitting an IRB approval letter for the research project within three months of the award announcement and specify if the check is written to the PI or the institution/organization

  • Complete project within 12 months of receiving funding

  • Submit completed project as a research poster proposal or content presentation proposal for the 2026 AARC Annual Conference

  • Recognize the AARC SSP in any professional or scholarly products yielded from the awarded program

  • Submit an executive summary of the research project and findings (template will be provided by the AARC Grants Committee)

  • Continue communication with the AARC Grants Committee about your research results and dissemination that your award has led to

  • Webinar Presentation: Present findings via a webinar organized by AARC for its membership. This presentation should include an overview of the research, key findings, implications for counseling practice, and detailed lessons learned from the cross-cultural partnership as well as recommendations for fostering international collaborations

Please direct all inquiries and submissions to the AARC Scholarly Grants Committee at [email protected]

Proposals are due May 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM (EST).