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Scholars

Scholars

Scholars

AVA SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The 2024 Application Cycle has closed.
Notifications will be sent to applicants by the end of June.

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 improve 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 2026 AVA Global Health Summit.
  • International AVA scholars who meet eligibility criteria may be accepted (virtual option). AVA will waive the registration fee if attending in person.
  • If self-funded, international candidates are encouraged and welcome to attend the 2026 AVA Global Health Summit in person.
  • Each AVA Scholar is matched with a mentor who will provide support for 2024-2026.
  • 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 support about 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 recognized at the 2024 AVA Global Health Summit. The registration fee 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 (includes post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty within five years of completion of terminal degree)
    • Because they already have 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 2026 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 committee chair. The scholars will be required to complete AVA’s requirements for program evaluation and annual and final reports.
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