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SFBTA
SFBTA

SFBTA Research Awards

The SFBTA Research Awards are aimed at fostering the growth of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy by encouraging original research in solution-focused practices, and to support students, faculty, researchers, and clinicians who wish to study solution-focused practices. The inclusion of clinicians is an effort to bridge the gap between research and practice in advancing knowledge of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.


The 2026 SFBTA Research Awards will provide up to $2,500.00 to support ongoing or proposed project(s). Funding amounts for individual projects will depend on the number of projects being awarded. Priority will be given to research that supports empirical evidence of SFBT practices, mechanisms of change, meta-analyses on SFBT interventions, or other research which could directly or indirectly investigate the effectiveness of SFBT practices. 

See Proposal Outline

SFBTA Research Awards

The SFBTA Research Awards are aimed at fostering the growth of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy by encouraging original research in solution-focused practices, and to support students, faculty, researchers, and clinicians who wish to study solution-focused practices. The inclusion of clinicians is an effort to bridge the gap between research and practice in advancing knowledge of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.


The 2026 SFBTA Research Awards will provide up to $2,500.00 to support ongoing or proposed project(s). Funding amounts for individual projects will depend on the number of projects being awarded. Priority will be given to research that supports empirical evidence of SFBT practices, mechanisms of change, meta-analyses on SFBT interventions, or other research which could directly or indirectly investigate the effectiveness of SFBT practices. 

Eligibility

Graduate students in any discipline, clinicians engaging in research focusing on SFBT, post-doctoral fellows, researcher, and faculty are eligible for this award. The SFBTA Research award will give priority to applicants who have a high probability of completing their projects, and junior faculty who are in their first three years past graduation. This determination will be based on many factors, including but not limited to the significance of the study, rigor of the research design, previous research or practice experience, access to an appropriate sample, and other institutional support. 

​​Proposal Outline

Applicants should submit a proposal with the following content:

  • Name and complete contact information of applicant

  • Title and one paragraph description of the proposed/current study

  • A detailed description of the proposed/current study, including:

  1. Statement of the problem

  2. Previous research in the area

  3. Purpose of this study

  4. Methods, procedures, and analysis to be/being used

  5. How fidelity to SFBT intervention is ensured and measured.

  6. Significance of the study to the SFBT field

  7. A detailed description/outline of how the grant funds will be used

  8. Qualifications of the applicant

Page limit of the proposal is 5 pages, single-spaced, font size 12. Additionally, please submit a current resume as a separate document or attachment.

Criteria for Assessment

The SFBTA Research Committee will review the application proposals and will make the final decision on the award. The award decision will be based on the following criteria:
  • Appropriateness and significance of the study to solution-focused brief therapy and in meeting the goals of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA).
  • Appropriateness of the methods, procedures, and analysis to the proposed goals of the study.
  • Qualifications of the applicant.
  • Likelihood of the project being completed and disseminated.

Deadlines and Announcement of Award

Application proposals must be received by the SFBTA Research Committee by July 31, 2026. The recipient(s) of the award will be notified by August 31, 2026, and the official award ceremony will be hosted at the Business Lunch meeting at 2026 SFBTA Annual Conference, November 5-8, 2026, Cleveland, Ohio. The funds will be disbursed after the Conference. 

Conditions of Acceptance

As part of the obligation to receive the 2026 Research Award, award recipients are expected to:

  • Submit a Study Report in the form of a 1-page infographic or poster to the chair and co-chair of the Research Committee, Dr. Taylor Yates at yatesh@uncw.edu and Dr. Cynthia Franklin at cfranklin@austin.utexas.edu upon the completion of the study. 

  • Disseminate and present findings of the study at the Research Day of the SFBTA Conference in 2027 or 2028.  Recipients can first present the preliminary findings of their study at the Research Day of the 2027 SFBTA Conference if the study is still in progress.

​​Submit Your Proposal

For further information, or to submit Application Proposals, please contact: 

Mo Yee Lee, PhD

SFBTA Research Award Committee

Professor & PhD Program Director

College of Social Work, The Ohio State University

440B Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, Columbus, OH43210

Phone: 614-292-9910

Fax: 614-292-6940
Submit Your Proposal