Sandra Wilson Memorial Dissertation Grant Award
Sandra Wilson Memorial Dissertation Grant Award supports doctoral researchers studying EMDR therapy’s effectiveness in priority areas to build knowledge, strengthen practice, and improve clinical care.
Funder: EMDR Research Foundation
Due Dates: February 1, 2027 (Application) | July 1, 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $8,000 for dissertation research expenses
Summary: Supports doctoral dissertation research on EMDR effectiveness in the foundation’s research priority areas.
Key Information: Applicants must be doctoral students in social work, psychology, or nursing with completed coursework and an approved dissertation proposal.
Description
The EMDR Research Foundation’s Sandra Wilson Memorial Dissertation Grant Award supports doctoral research studying the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the foundation’s priority areas. The award honors Dr. Sandra Wilson, whose 1995 dissertation formed the basis for the first validating study of Shapiro’s original research and whose publication was pivotal for EMDR therapy.
The program funds costs of conducting dissertation studies, with the goal of building knowledge and strengthening EMDR practice. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are valued. Review emphasizes sound research design, methodological quality, the ability of the chosen methods to answer the research questions, and feasible, timely completion. The foundation’s broader research agenda seeks to strengthen the evidence base and translate research into better clinical care and training.
