The Hulick Serving Spirit Award funds a continuing outstanding Graduate Student in the disabilities field. The award is intended to support 2 years of professional and academic training of a graduate student seeking to pursue a service or research career that will positively impact special needs populations and their families, primarily those born with congenital disabilities, both intellectual and/or developmental, and with a special emphasis on autism spectrum disorders or related conditions. Broadly defined, the field includes areas such as autism, learning and developmental disabilities, and intellectual challenges. Related work in the field includes normative or atypical development, work with individuals or families, prevention or treatment, and basic or applied research. The 2-year award will also include a plan for a service or research experience with VTAC/CAR each year, to be completed with the VT Autism Clinic, VT Center for Autism Research, or the Mobile Autism Clinic.
Award amount is typically in the range of $2,000-$2500 per year. Must be a graduate student affiliated with VTAC/CAR, who will be on campus for at least 2 years, with GPA over 3.2. Due May 14.
Eligibility:
Graduate student affiliated with VTAC/CAR, who will be on campus for at least 2 years, with GPA over 3.2 Selection Criteria: The award criteria are based upon statement of eligibility and 2-year plan as well as accomplishments in research, teaching, service, and/or leadership/outreach.
Submit:
- (a) Statement of eligibility and 2-year plan (maximum: 2 pages),
- (b) accomplishments (maximum: 1 page), and
- (c) Curriculum Vitae on or before 5pm on May 14, 2021. Application should be submitted as noted below.
Application Document (please single space)
1. Statement of eligibility according to the award criteria (maximum: 2 pages)
- A. Name, email address and phone #, Year in graduate study, Mentor
- B. Continuing graduate work on campus for 2 years (2021-22 and 2022-23)
- C. GPA over 3.2 D. Affiliation with VTAC/CAR (i.e., student working with a faculty affiliate)
- E. Must include statement of interest in the field of special needs (as defined above), career goal, how you hope to positively impact people with special needs and/or their families, and a brief 2-year plan that documents intended professional and academic training plus the VTAC/CAR service experiences in each year. The VTAC/CAR service experience can include, but is not limited to, training, research, community education or awareness, clinical work, or any combination thereof, that is consistent with VTAC/CAR’s mission to merge science with service in any of VTCAR’s four core areas (biomedical, educational, technology, or clinical/translational).
More info about VTAC/CAR, the VT Autism Clinic, and the MAC. The plan should also include how the funds will be used to further your professional or academic training (e.g., books, conference travel, specialized trainings, research projects). You may contact the Director, Dr. Scarpa (ascarpa@vt.edu), for more information on VTAC/CAR service experiences related to your interests.
2. Statement of accomplishments, especially (but not limited to) in relation to special needs (maximum: 1 page)
- A. Research
- B. Teaching
- C. Service and/or leadership/outreach
3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae (maximum: 2 pages)
Submission Procedure (Due before 5pm on Tuesday May 14, 2021)
1. Email your Application Document as a PDF to Angela Scarpa at ascarpa@vt.edu
- A. In the subject line: Hulick Serving Spirit Award
- B. PDF named in this format: Serving Spirit - LastName, FirstName (E.g., Serving Spirit – Doe, Jane )
2. After you submit your application via email, please click this link to verify your submission before the deadline.
3. Notification of award will be made by June 1, 2021.