The APSSC Student Research Award promotes and acknowledges outstanding research conducted by student members.
Awards
Winners of the Student Research Competition will present their research in symposium format at the Annual Convention in May and receive some monetary compensation for travel costs to the convention.
- Up to three awards to graduate student members.
- Up to two awards to undergraduate student members.
Read about the 2024 Student Research Award winners and their research here.
Eligibility
Current APS Student affiliates may only enter one APSSC competition each year (i.e., Student Grant Competition, Student Research Award, RISE Research Award, or Emerging Scholar Award) and as such are only eligible for one of these three awards each academic year. Travel assistance is excluded from this rule.
Award winners will present their research in address format at the APS Annual Convention and must be able to attend the following events at the annual convention:
- Opening Ceremonies
- Student Research Award Symposium
How to Apply
To be considered for a Student Research Award, APS student affiliates MUST submit the following information via the APS Annual Convention’s Call for Submissions:
- Project title and Abstract
- Project Summary – The project summary should detail the purpose, methodology, and results of the research and include
- Introduction/Background (a summary of previous, related research)
- Methods (the materials, procedure, etc. that was used)
- Results (the main findings of the research)
- Discussion/Theoretical Implications (an explanation how these findings impact/advance psychological science)
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of graduate and undergraduate students. Applicants will receive copies of the peer reviews once the competition has concluded.
Interested in becoming an APSSC reviewer?
For additional information, contact the Student Research Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the APSSC Student Research, RISE Research, and Emerging Scholar Awards?
The Student Research and RISE Research Awards are for current APS Student Affiliates only. Student affiliates may include undergraduate students, graduate students, and those transitioning between their undergraduate and graduate education. You can find out more about becoming an Affiliate here.
When do applications open/close? When are the winners notified?
Student Research, RISE Research, and Emerging Scholar Award applications must be submitted via the APS Call for Submissions for the upcoming APS Annual Convention. Submission deadlines will be announced on the APS website, the APSSC Science Xpress e-Newsletter, and other APS communications. Please ensure that APS has your current email address and that you are receiving email from psychologicalscience.org. For planning purposes, plan to have your applications ready for submission by early February.
Our goal is to notify winners before the convention Early-Bird discount registration deadline.
Where do I apply for the APSSC Student Research, RISE Research, and Emerging Scholar Awards? How do I access the application?
Award applications are submitted via poster submissions for the APS Annual Convention. You will be asked if you are a student (select yes), if you would like to apply for an award (select yes), and if you have already applied for an award (select no). Then you will be asked if you would like to apply for the Student Research, RISE Research, or Emerging Scholar Award. Once you select an award, the award supporting information boxes will appear.
What supporting information do I need to include? What is the word limit?
Student Research and RISE Research Award applications must include supporting information as part of the poster submission. The application should detail the purpose, methodology, and results of the research project. It must include the following sections: (1) Introduction/Background (a summary of previous, related research), (2) Methods (materials, procedure, etc.), (3) Results (the main findings of the research), and (4) Discussion/Theoretical Implications (e.g., an explanation how these findings impact/advance psychological science). These sections are limited to five hundred words each. The Emerging Scholar Award requires that a CV be included with the application.
What if data collection/recruitment is currently underway?
Unfortunately, you will not be considered for an award if you do not have results when your application is submitted. APS requires that poster submissions represent completed work.
Do I have to submit a poster? What if I’m already part of a symposium?
Only poster submissions are considered for the Student Research, RISE Research Award, and Emerging Scholar Awards. If you have already submitted a symposium presentation, you will also need to submit your project as a poster to be considered for an award. Please email the Student Research Award Coordinator and/or the RISE Research Coordinator for more information.
What happens to my poster if I don’t win an award?
Your poster is still considered for presentation at the APS Annual Convention even if you do not win an award.
Who is eligible to review for the APSSC Student Research and RISE Research Awards?
Reviewers are also limited to current APS Student Affiliates. Student affiliates may include undergraduate students, graduate students, and those transitioning between their undergraduate and graduate education. Find out more about joining APS as a Student Affiliate here.
