NASP Graduate Student Research Grants

The NASP Research Committee supports student-initiated research through its Graduate Student Research Grants (GSRG). Up to four $1,000 awards are made each year to students who demonstrate exceptional ability to conduct high-quality research that furthers the mission and goals of NASP and has the potential to impact the field positively. GSRG recipients are eligible to receive $500 Travel Grants to present their research at a future NASP convention.

Eligibility and Application Information

NASP student members in either doctoral or non-doctoral school psychology training programs are eligible to apply. Applications are available in the spring for awards to be made at the next NASP Convention.

Download the application instructions here.

Submit your application here.

2009 Award Winners

Anne Howard, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Anne Howard is completing her PhD in school psychology. She has conducted several research investigations in the areas of aggression and peer relations among youth. Specifically, she is interested in the peer ecology, including bystander behavior and school moral climate, as factors that may sustain and perpetuate school bullying. Anne plans to complete her dissertation this year and hopes to continue this line of research in a career of academic research and teaching.

Adrea Truckenmiller, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Adrea Truckenmiller is a fourth-year doctoral candidate. Her research interests lie in academic and behavior interventions at each of the tiers of a response-to-intervention framework. In her current and future research, she is interested in exploring not just the efficacy of specific interventions, but also the barriers in schools to effectiveness of interventions. In her internship next year and future career, Adrea aspires to strengthen the connection between research and practice in schools.

Lavanya Sampasivam, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Lavanya Sampasivam is a second-year master’s student in her university’s School/Applied Child Psychology Program. Her research interests involve socio-cultural influences on student motivation and achievement, and her master’s thesis examines how one’s culture influences learning and the motivation to learn. Lavanya is planning to pursue doctoral studies and a career in academia, where she intends to continue her present line of research. In addition, Lavanya is aiming for a career as a clinician working directly with children, particularly inner-city children.

Jill Smedley, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

Jill Smedley is a first-year EdS student in school psychology. She graduated cum laude with a double major in psychology and human development & family studies from the University of Utah. She is working on a research team with three colleagues, Jennalee Johnson, Janine Stickney, and Rachel McCarty, to validate an eating disorder prevention curriculum for secondary schools. Jill’s research interests include eating disorder prevention, bullying prevention, and emotional regulation. She hopes to practice as a school psychologist in the public schools.