Gary W. LaVigna and Thomas J. Willis Research Grant
Gary W. LaVigna and Thomas J. Willis Research Grant supports doctoral students studying multi-element behavior support plans to reduce behaviors of concern and improve quality of life.
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Funder: Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis
Due Dates: January 13, 2027 (Application) | June 2027 (Notification) | April 1 of the following year (Award report)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,000; the endowment may provide one grant per academic year
Summary: Supports doctoral student research on multi-element behavior support plans and their contributions to meaningful, durable applied behavior analysis outcomes.
Key Information: Applicants must have at least one full academic year remaining in their doctoral program after funds are disbursed.
Description
The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) supports doctoral student research on multi-element behavior support (MEBS) plans: individualized approaches integrating multiple complementary procedures. Research may investigate comprehensive MEBS applications, individual components, interactions among components, or conditions under which particular combinations are most effective.
The program aims to remove barriers created by behaviors of concern and improve quality of life using the least restrictive effective methods. Relevant outcomes include reduced behaviors of concern and episodic severity, adaptive skill acquisition, and durable behavior change that generalizes across people, activities, and settings. Research should also consider adverse effects and the acceptability of procedures to individuals, families, support staff, and other stakeholders, reflecting clinical and social validity.
