The American Foundation for Research and Consumer Education in Social Work Regulation (“Foundation”) is a 501(c)3 organization that supports efforts to explore the ways in which professional social work regulation affects the profession and the public it serves. The Foundation sponsors a grant program for research on a wide range of topics relevant to social work professional regulation, including consumer protection, professional continuing education, social work supervision, complaints against licensees, and related areas. Social work faculty, students, members and staff of regulatory boards or provincial colleges in the United States and Canada may apply for grants.
To date, the Foundation has sponsored research on complaints and disciplinary actions taken against social workers, knowledge of licensure and regulation among social work faculty and students in New Jersey, and access to clinical supervision in rural areas of Minnesota. Currently, sponsored research is exploring online information about sanctioned social workers, the importance of licensing among aboriginal people, and the efficacy of continuing education. The Foundation is particularly interested in research projects that can serve as a basis or touchstone for additional related efforts, with the goal of creating a body of research in this important area of social work and public policy.
Funding and General Information
- Funding. The Foundation may award one $5,000 grant (reserved for MSW or doctoral social work students only), two $10,000 grants, and one $25,000 grant to successful research proposals.
- Timelines. The $5,000 grant requires a nine-month completion deadline; one $10,000 grant award will carry a 12-month completion deadline; one $10,000 grant award will require an 18-month deadline; the $25,000 project must be completed in 24 months.
- Student grant. The $5,000 grant will be awarded to a student currently enrolled in an MSW or doctoral social work program and will require the identification and participation of at least one faculty member in oversight of the project. The student grant will also require additional progress reporting to the Foundation.
- Eligibility. Social work faculty, students, members and staff of regulatory boards or provincial colleges in the United States and Canada may apply for grants.
- Review criteria. In reviewing grant requests, the following issues will be considered: scope of proposed research (US, Canadian, international); quality of proposed research; likelihood that research can be completed within deadlines; publication potential for research; ability of research to be generalized to one or more facets of social work practice regulation.
- How to apply. Contact the Association of Social Work Boards for application materials. Application deadline: May 1, 2013.
- Awards decisions. The Foundation will make grant decisions in July 2013. Research would begin following the announcement of grant decisions.
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