AVA SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Purpose:

The Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA) Scholars Program is a mentorship program designed to improve the ability of junior researchers to conduct high-quality research and to enter productive careers focused on understanding and minimizing the effects of violence and abuse on people’s health.

Rationale:

• Violence and abuse are prevalent and adversely affect health across the life course.
• One approach to mitigate the impact of violence and abuse on health is to advance research on the prevention, recognition, and treatment of the health effects of violence and abuse.
• The number of researchers conducting this work is relatively small, and funding is scarce. 
• One way to enhance researchers’ success is to provide role models and mentors to junior violence researchers.

AVA Scholars Program:

• USA-based AVA Scholars who meet eligibility criteria will be provided registration, domestic travel, and lodging to attend the 2028 AVA Global Health Summit.
• International AVA scholars who meet all eligibility criteria may be accepted to participate in the program via a virtual option. If self-funded, international candidates are encouraged and welcome to attend the 2028 AVA Global Health Summit in person. AVA will waive the registration fee whether they attend in person or hybrid.
• AVA Scholars, who meet eligibility criteria, will receive a stipend of up to $750
• Each AVA Scholar is matched with a mentor who will provide support for 2026-2028.
• Mentors are educators or researchers working in violence or abuse who have strong mentorship abilities, experience with research, and are committed to the program.
• Mentors will provide guidance and support for a specific research project identified by the scholar, career advice and guidance, and other challenges typical of violence-related research (working with IRBs, applying for grant funding, etc.).
• AVA scholars and their mentors will meet in person during AVA conference meetings and will have continued contact, at least monthly, via email, ZOOM phone/video.
• AVA scholars will be announced at the 2026 AVA Global Health Summit. The registration fee for the 2026 Global Health Summit will be waived.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be an active AVA member.
• Plan to pursue violence-related research and have a specific project for which they would like senior mentor input. For example, research projects on violence and abuse across the lifespan can include, but are not limited to, Child Forensics, Elder Abuse, Maternal ACEs, Stalking, Violence in Schools, Technology Facilitated Abuse, etc.
• Be at an early stage in their career (including post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty within five years of completion of a terminal degree)
• Because they have already demonstrated research expertise, former or current principal investigators on an NIH R01 research project or the equivalent are not eligible to apply.

Outcome expectation/deliverable:

• AVA Scholars will present the project they received mentorship through the AVA Scholars program at the 2028 AVA Global Health Summit
• All AVA scholars are encouraged to submit their project results to peer-reviewed journals.
• All AVA Scholars are highly encouraged to continue being active AVA members, focusing on understanding and minimizing the effects of violence and abuse on people’s health.

Evaluation and Monitoring:

Individuals selected as AVA Scholars must attend AVA conference meetings. Provide an annual progress report to their mentor. A copy of the report must be emailed to the AVA Scholar committee chair. The scholars will be required to complete AVA’s requirements for program evaluation and annual and final reports.

The 2026 Application Cycle is OPEN

Application period ends on March 23.