SIG Award Submissions

A.   AWARD CRITERIA:

• Nominees must be members of both ABCT and the Autism SIG prior to application. 
• Joining the SIG is easy and free – please visit http://abctautism.com/joining-the-asdd-sig/
• Across all awards, preference will be given to those whose research and/or clinical work focuses on applications of CBT and/or behavior therapy in the ASDD population. 

1. Best Student Clinician-Researcher Award 

• Must be matriculated master’s- or doctoral-level students. 
• Selection will be made based on the current and future impact of the applicant’s clinical and research work in the field of ASDD. 
• Please include a CV and a personal statement about your current and future clinical and/or research work (<400 words). 
• You may nominate yourself or a colleague.

2. Early Career Award (Open to clinicians and researchers)  

• Individuals who have received doctoral degrees in the past 10 years are eligible to apply.
• Selection criteria will include noteworthy contributions to science and/or practice relevant to ASDD as well as potential for future impact. 
• Please include a CV and a personal statement about your current and future clinical, advocacy/community outreach, academia, and/or research work (<400 words). 
• You may nominate yourself or a colleague. 

*Please note the Early Career Award (offered every odd year) will rotate with the Mid-Career Award (offered every even year); the Mid-Career Award will not be offered this year.

3. Outstanding Mentor Award

• The Outstanding Mentor award seeks to acknowledge and appreciate individuals who have had a significant impact on mentees’ careers, professional development, and personal growth. 
• To nominate someone for the Outstanding Mentor award, please write a brief statement (<400 words) about how you have benefited from their mentorship and why your mentor deserves this award. Mentors must be an Autism SIG member.

4. Travel Awards

We are excited to offer a travel award in the form of $400 for:

• Two trainees (postbac, graduate student, or postdoc) presenting their research at ABCT
• Two autistic attendees presenting their research at ABCT (not limited to trainees)

B.   AWARD DEADLINES & SUBMISSION CONTACT INFO:

To apply, please submit:

• Documentation of acceptance to present at ABCT
• Abstract of the work you will be presenting
• A brief statement outlining why you are applying for this award (<125 words)
• Itemized travel budget needs, including registration, travel, and accommodation.
• Please clearly state if you have received or may receive any other travel funding, including the amount.
• Please provide the city/town you will be departing from to attend ABCT. In the event of an overabundance of strong applications, preference will be given to those traveling internationally and those not receiving other travel funding. 
• Please designate whether you are applying for the “Trainee Travel Award” or “Autistic Attendee Award” in your application. 

Travel Awards:

• Travel Award Submission Deadline: September 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT
• Travel Award Notification: September 30, 2025

All other awards:

• Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT
• Award Recipient Notification: November 1, 2025

Please send all awards submissions to Dr. Shalini Sivathasan at shalini.sivathasan@bc.edu