Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 3 | 2011 | Number 3 | Online ISSN: 2151-4704
An Update From SABA's President
By Michael Dougher
The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis has provided financial support to the field of behavior analysis since 1980 through its awards, grants, and fellowships programs. As the end of the year approaches, I write to remind you of these important programs and the fact that they are supported largely by member contributions. To continue to support these programs, you may make a donation to SABA by visiting www.abainternational.org/saba/donations.asp.
SABA Endowment Funds
To support its awards, grants, and fellowships programs, SABA has established three endowment funds to which members may make direct contributions. These funds are:
The Doctoral Dissertation and Master's Thesis Research Fund, which is intended to support doctoral dissertation and master's thesis research in behavior analysis. ABAI makes an annual $3,000 contribution to this fund and will do so until it becomes self-sustaining. Your contributions are needed to meet this goal and, as an incentive, until December 31, 2011, SABA will match your donations. Please consider donating today to support our young scholars' research in behavior analysis.
The Student Presenters Fund, which helps offset the costs for students to present their research at the annual convention. All donations to this fund are distributed within the year they are made, so the fund must be replenished each year in order for SABA to continue to support student participation at ABAI events.
The Unrestricted Fund, which the SABA Board of Directors allocates for specific purposes and activities, as they deem necessary and appropriate. These funds may be used to support restricted funds when necessary.
SABA also has three other funded endowments that support grants for student scholarship and dissemination of the field internationally: the Sidney W. and Janet R. Bijou Endowment Fund, the Experimental Endowment Fund, and the International Endowment Fund. These funds provide grants with the interest generated from their principals.
SABA Awards
SABA awards are intended to recognize our field's distinguished leaders and programs and to promote their work and accomplishments. At each annual convention, SABA presents the following five awards:
The award for Distinguished Service to Behavior Analysis recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained, valuable contributions to behavior analysis through teaching, research, or practice. Past winners include Jacob Gewirtz (2011), A. Charles Catania (2010), Brian Iwata (2009), Edmund J. Fantino (2008), Teodoro Ayllon (2007), James Dinsmoor (posthumously, 2006), Jon Bailey (2005), Beth Sulzer-Azaroff (2004), Victor Laties (2003), Jack Michael (2002), Murray Sidman (2001), Sidney Bijou (2000), Ogden Lindsley (1999), Montrose Wolf (1998), and Donald Baer (1997). Winners under the ABAI Award Committee have been Joseph Brady (1996), Victor Laties (1995), and Philip Hineline (1994).
The award for International Dissemination of Behavior Analysis recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the dissemination and growth of behavior analysis outside the United States. Past winners are: Erik Arntzen (2011), Steven C. Hayes (2010), João Todorov (2009), Linda J. Hayes (2008), Eitan Eldar (2007), Joseph Morrow (2006), R. Douglas Greer (2005), Michael Davison (2004), Maria E. Malott (2003), Paolo Moderato (2002), Carolina Bori (2001), Liliana Mayo (2000), Comunidad los Horcones (1999), Emilio Ribes-Inesta (1998), and Masayo Sato (1997). Winner under the ABAI Award Committee: Murray Sidman (1996).
The Enduring Programmatic Contributions to Behavior Analysis award is given to an agency, department, or organization that has made important enduring contributions to the growth and development of behavior analysis. Past winners are The Ohio State University (2011); University of Nevada, Reno Behavior Analysis Program (2010); Experimental Analysis of Behaviour Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand (2009); Kennedy Krieger Institute (2008); The May Institute (2007); Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program of Southern Illinois University (2006); The New England Center for Children (2005); West Virginia University Department of Psychology (2004); Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (2003); University of Florida (2002); Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Behavior Technology Group (2001); University of Kansas (2000); Princeton Child Development Institute (1999); and the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University (1998).
The award for Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media is presented to an individual who produces written, audio, or video information that accurately informs the public about the science or application of behavior analysis. Previous winners include Alan E. Kazdin (2010), Amos Rolider (2009), Amy Sutherland (2008), James M. Kauffman (2006), Ivar Løvaas (2004), Richard Foxx (2003), John Palfreman (2002), Roger McIntire (2001), James Partington (2000), E. Scott Geller (1998), and Karen Pryor (1997).
The Award for Scientific Translation is given either for outstanding Impact of Science on Application (experimental/theoretical innovations in behavior analysis with significant impact on application) or Technology Transfer (addressing socially significant problems using methods directly linked to behavior analysis or that effectively incorporate behavioral principles). In 2010, two previous awards, the Impact of Science on Application Award and the Public Service in Behavior Analysis Award, were combined into this single award. The previous winners of the Scientific Translation Award are Dean Fixsen (2011) and William J. McIlvane (2010). Previous winners of the Impact of Science on Application Award are Travis Thompson (2009), Murray Sidman (2008), Steven C. Hayes (2007), Nathan Azrin (2006), Howard Rachlin (2005), and Tony Nevin (2004). Previous recipients of the Public Service in Behavior Analysis Award are Thomas McKenzie (2009), Michael Keenan (2008), Henry Pennypacker (2007), Robert Horner (2006), Robert Mager (2005), Michael Hemingway (2004), Douglas Carnine (2003), Richard Malott (2002), Kent Johnson (2001), Charles Schuster (2000), Gerald Shook (1999), and Aubrey Daniels (1997).
SABA awards for 2012 will be announced in the Winter 2012 issue of Inside Behavior Analysis. Please consider nominating deserving candidates for the 2013 SABA awards (see the SABA website for details).
Fellowships and Grants
Each year, SABA awards fellowships and grants totaling $20,000 to support behavior analytic research and the development of the field. Applications for these awards are accepted every year in August and September. Keep an eye on the SABA website for details in the summer about application procedures and requirements. The following grants, based mostly on endowments, are given annually.
The Experimental Analysis of Behavior Fellowship provides financial support of up to $2000 to graduate students doing research in the experimental analysis of behavior. Since its inception in 2002, 14 fellowships have been awarded.
The Sidney W. and Janet R. Bijou Fellowship provides support for students doing behavior analytic research in child development. These fellowships are funded through a generous endowment established by Sid and Janet Bijou. Since 1998, 23 students have received awards totaling $115,000.
The International Development Grant fund was established to ensure ongoing support for the international development of behavior analysis. Since 1999, a total of $39,000 has been awarded to 37 recipients.
The Student Registration Grant provides complimentary registration for qualifying students who present their research at ABAI-sponsored conferences and events.
The Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Grants annually support two thesis projects at $500 each and two dissertation projects at $1000 each.
Thanks are due to SABA's donors, a list of whom may be found on page 12. On behalf of the Society and the people and projects it supports, I encourage all ABAI members to add their names to this list by making a donation.