Editor’s note: In this Partner Update, we inform TIRF supporters about several awards from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The copy below has been adapted from ETS’ announcements for the purposes of TIRF communications.
Ockey & Chapelle TOEFL Language Assessment Research Award
The TOEFL program at ETS and the Language Assessment Research Conference (LARC) are proud to announce the establishment of the Ockey & Chapelle TOEFL Language Assessment Research Award. This first-of-its-kind honor recognizes and celebrates excellence and collaboration in language assessment research.
Honoring Leaders in Language Assessment
This annual award, named in tribute to Drs. Gary Ockey and Carol Chapelle, co-founders of LARC and esteemed scholars in the field, underscores their enduring legacy and commitment to advancing language assessment research.
About the Award
- Recognition: The award, sponsored by TOEFL and ETS, will honor a distinguished academic chosen by the selection committee for their contributions to language assessment research.
- Plenary Presentation: The recipient will deliver a keynote address at the annual LARC conference, sharing their groundbreaking work and insights with peers.
- Special Acknowledgment: During the conference, ETS will present the winner with a commemorative plaque, highlighting their outstanding achievements.
- Collaborative Thought Leadership: The recipient will partner with ETS to create a resource—like a blog, whitepaper, or interview—highlighting their plenary topic for a wider audience
Celebrating Academic Excellence
This award symbolizes the shared vision of TOEFL and LARC: fostering innovation, excellence, and collaboration in language assessment. It also serves as a platform to spotlight scholars who push the boundaries of research, driving progress in the field.
Join ETS & LARC
The inaugural award will be officially announced at the upcoming LARC conference, featuring a celebratory lecture by Drs. Ockey and Chappelle themselves.
Learn more about this award on LinkedIn by clicking here.
TOEFL® Committee of Examiners (COE) 2026 Research Grant Programs
TOEFL COE research grants are intended to support research on topics related to the TOEFL iBT® test, the TOEFL ITP® Assessment Series, and the TOEFL Essentials® test in promoting high-quality language assessment research as judged by the COE and Educational Testing Service (ETS). Applications that employ diverse and innovative research methodologies are encouraged, as are those focused on the TOEFL Essentials test. The deadline for submission of intent forms isApril 13, 2025.
TOEFL COE Young Student Series Research Program (Faculty)
The TOEFL® Young Students Series (YSS) Research Grants are intended to support research related to the TOEFL YSS assessments (the TOEFL Primary® and TOEFL Junior® tests) as well as foundational research that promotes high-quality language assessment related to young English language learners between the ages of 8 and 16. The deadline for submission of intent forms isApril 15, 2025.
TOEFL COE Young Student Series Research Program (Graduate Students)
The TOEFL® Young Students Series (YSS) Research Grants for Graduate Students are intended to support research related to the TOEFL YSS assessments (the TOEFL Primary® and TOEFL Junior® tests) as well as foundational research that promotes high-quality language assessment related to young English learners between ages 8 and 16. The deadline for submission of intent forms isApril 13, 2025.
