Doctoral Dissertation Grants

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Background of Doctoral Dissertation Grants

Since 2002, TIRF has supported students completing their doctoral research on topics related to the foundation’s priorities. Each year applicants who have been advanced to candidacy in legitimate PhD or EdD programs are invited to submit proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Grants (DDGs). (By “advanced to candidacy” we mean [a] having completed all required course work, if any, and [b] having had a research plan approved by the candidate’s university committee.) Proposals are reviewed by a TIRF committee of established international researchers. DDGs are provided in the amount of up to US $5000 per awardee.

To learn more about the findings of previously funded studies, please click here.

Russell N. Campbell Award

Each year the highest rated Doctoral Dissertation Grant proposal is awarded in the name of the late Russell N. Campbell. Dr. Campbell, a Past President of TESOL, was one of the founding fathers of the Foundation.

Overview of Eligibility

The following points are only an overview of eligibility to apply for a DDG. Successful applicants will read the call for proposals and carefully follow the instructions.

Applicants must

  • be enrolled in a legitimate doctoral program;
  • be advanced to candidacy and have had a research plan approved by a faculty committee at their university;
  • write a proposal which is clearly related to TIRF’s research priorities;
  • follow specific instructions located in the call for proposals; and
  • have their research supervisor submit an official letter of support attesting to the applicant’s readiness to complete the doctoral dissertation.

Please note that DDG applicants do not need to be US citizens.

2013 DDG Competition Now Closed

The 2013 Doctoral Dissertation Grants competition is now closed. The application deadline was  Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific Time (United States & Canada). The 2013 DDG awardees and information about their studies will be announced during late summertime or early fall time 2013.

The 2014 DDG competition will open toward the end of 2013, with an expected deadline in mid-May 2014. 

Research Priorities

TIRF’s research priorities for the 2013 DDG competition are listed below. Please click on a topic to read more about it. TIRF reserves the right to change its priority topics at any time.

Bilingualism/Plurilingualism in Business and Industry

Language Assessment

Language Teacher Education

Optimal Uses of Technology in the Delivery of English Language Instruction

Students’ Age and Effective English Language Education in Schools

Previously Funded Studies

[8] comments

On Oct 17, 2012: MIIS Alumna Awarded Doctoral Dissertation Grant from TIRF | GSTILE said:
[...] alumna, Joyce Kling (MATESOL '88), was awarded one of eight doctoral dissertation grants awarded annually by The International Research Foundation for English Language Education [...]
On Mar 04, 2012: Hom Raj Khadka said:
It is great chance and opportunity to the professional person.It also motivate the researcher to do genuine work in the field of ELT.
On Feb 29, 2012: TIRF said:
@Debbie - Great question. If a person finishes their doctoral program in May 2012, for example, he or she would no longer be a doctoral student when the award recommendation is made in July 2012. Consequently, that person would not qualify for a DDG. TIRF's DDG program is only open to doctoral students who have moved to candidacy (as defined by the degree granting institution) and have not yet finished their doctorate. There are also other eligibility requirements potential applicants must meet, which can be found above.
On Feb 28, 2012: Debbie said:
I am considering applying for this grant, but I will graduate in May (hopefully) with my doctorate in education. If awarded, can the grant money be used to further the dissertation study? Thank you!
On Feb 17, 2012: TIRF said:
@Bien - Great question! DDG applicants do not need to be US citizens to apply for the grant. We welcome applications from any person who meets the eligibility requirements outlined above, regardless of where they reside. Thanks, Ryan
On Feb 11, 2012: Bien said:
Hi if the candidate is from a country outside the US, can they still apply for the grant? Thank you very much!
On Feb 06, 2012: Oraib Faoury said:
im thankful for such a brilliant offer ... I hope i will be one of them.. Wish success for you all
On Dec 30, 2011: Saeed Ahmad said:
I whole heartedly congratulate all the concerned on successful completion of previous projects. And, thank you very much for such a brilliant offer for the year 2012. It will definitely go a long way in making TESOL/ESL a brilliant success in the days to come.

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