Research consultation awards of up to $1,000 are available for clinicians, post-doctoral students, or university faculty interested in conducting research on EMDR and disseminating findings to the practice and scientific communities. The purpose of this award is to facilitate access to required expertise that would advance the development of an EMDR research project, to support the completion of an EMDR research project underway, or the writing of an article on EMDR for publication in a professional journal.

Areas of Priority

The current (2020 research) priorities were adopted by the EMDR Research Foundation in December 2013:

1st Priority – Advancing Evidence-Based Practice: Increase the availability of quality EMDR research in areas where we already have a foot-hold in the literature but where more evidence is needed. Specifically, those areas are in the use of EMDR therapy to treat:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Military PTSD
  • Phantom Limb Pain
  • To enhance recovery from the impact of cardiac events and the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

2nd Priority – Addressing the Global Burden of Trauma: Investigate the use of EMDR in natural or man-made disaster responses, by determining the effectiveness of the following protocols: early intervention protocols, the child or adult group protocols, or the use of EMDR standard protocols in disaster response.

3rd Priority – Building Clinical Evidence: There are several areas where EMDR therapy is being used, clinical observations are positive, and there are some research indicators of success. However, more research is needed to build a body of literature in these populations or diagnostic categories, including but not limited to:

  • Addictions
  • Eating disorders
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Additional medical/somatic conditions
  • Suicide prevention and to address the impact of suicide

These priorities apply to research across the lifespan so that a study might address, for example, adolescent addiction, or geriatric depression.

Eligibility

This award is envisioned for clinicians with expertise in EMDR who are interested in advancing knowledge about EMDR through research but are in need of consultation from someone with expertise in research design, research methods, statistical analysis, fidelity ratings and publication in professional journals. Doctoral and post-doctoral students or university faculty members with research expertise are also eligible to apply to obtain consultation from clinicians with expertise in EMDR. If the consultation grant is awarded, the affiliated institution must assume responsibility for and serve as the fiscal agent for the project. The applicant will assume responsibility for and serve as the fiscal agent for any project without an institutional affiliation.

As an international organization the EMDR Research Foundation accepts proposals from the U.S. and international applicants; however, applications must be submitted in English and budgets developed in U.S. dollars.

Applications

Applications will be accepted year round, and applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 30 days of receipt of the complete application. The EMDR Research Foundation only accepts applications through our online application system, which is accessible through our website by clicking here.   An electronic copy of each application document is required – and only accepted through the online application form. Any application received without all required documents will not be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the required documentation and prepare all documents for uploading before initiating the online application.

The required application documents include:

  • Completion of online application form fields including:
    • Name, phone number(s), email address, complete mailing address, university (if applicable), graduate department or school (if applicable), project title, and abstract. [Note: abstract may be entered into the abstract form field or uploaded as a document.]
  • Project Description (maximum of 5 double-spaced pages, not including references): [Project Description with references should be combined into one file and uploaded in the online application]
    • A thorough description of the research or writing project to be developed or completed:
      • What is the purpose of the project? What do you propose to do? What are your ultimate goals for the project?
      • What is the significance of the project? What priority area is being addressed? How will your project advance knowledge about EMDR? How does it build on existing knowledge reflected in the EMDR literature?
      • Provide a rationale for the need for and the role of a consultant for your project. How will having a consultant move your project forward?
  • Timeline for the proposed study identifying key tasks [upload timeline document through the online application]
  • Proposed project budget (this may exceed the amount of the grant)  [upload budget document through the online application]
  • A curriculum vitae/resume of the applicant and the consultant to be hired.  [upload each cv through the online application]

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and mailed or faxed documents will not be accepted. All documents must be submitted simultaneously through the online application. Applicants are advised to keep a complete set of application documents for their files.

Selection Criteria

A committee of scholars with expertise in research design and EMDR will independently and blindly review each application. The committee will consider the following criteria when evaluating the merits of each application:

  1. The degree to which the proposed project addresses one of the priority areas established by the Foundation as listed in this announcement.
  2. The clarity and specificity of the proposed project.
  3. The potential significance the project has for building knowledge in and strengthening EMDR practice.
  4. The potential for the project to ultimately result in conference presentations and publication of an article in a professional journal.

Duration of the Project and Reporting Expectations

The project can proceed for up to one year. The award recipient will be expected to provide a progress report upon completion of the project or no later than one year from receiving funding, summarizing expenditures and all outcomes related to the project. Specifically, you will need to report on the tangible outcomes produced because of the consultation you received. Any articles submitted to or accepted for publication by an academic journal should also be sent to the EMDR Research Foundation.

Allowable Expenses

The applicant may only use the award to cover the costs of consultation needed for the proposed project, such as for research design, research methods, statistical analysis, fidelity ratings or publication. In the case of an applicant who is a researcher, consultation could be sought for the clinical application of EMDR, fidelity checks/raters or training.

All unexpended funds remaining at the end of the one-year period must be returned to the EMDR Research Foundation.

Apply to:

Access and submit your application online through the tab at the top of this page.  Questions may be directed to info@emdrresearchfoundation.org.  Please check our website for the latest version of this document. To view a PDF version of this document, please click here. Revised 9/5/2015

Applications for the Research Consultation Award will be accepted year round and applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 30 days of receipt of the application. An electronic copy of each application document is required. Documents must be in Word (.DOC) or Portable Document (.PDF) format. Any application received without all required documents will not be reviewed.

Carefully review the eligibility, selection criteria, allowable expenses, duration of project and reporting expectations; and prepare all required application documents for uploading before initiating this electronic application form.