Awards and Grants
DLD administers award, grant, and loan programs that recognize excellence in the field of learning disabilities and help promote activities to support the goals of the organization. We describe each of them in the followin sections.
In addition to the its awards, grants, and loans, DLD also sponsors special competitions for students to present their research during the DLD's reception at the annual meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children. Initiated in 2006 by then student representative Catherine A. Griffith, these sessions have become a regular feature at DLD receptions. They provide an opportunity for students to present research to an large body of interested visitors including many eminent scholars in the area of learning disabilities. Download a copy of the current call for proposals.
Awards
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Samuel A. Kirk Awards
The Kirk Award is named after Samuel A. Kirk, one of the USA's foremost leaders in the special education and, especially, in learning disabilities during the 20th century. This award is overseen by DLD's Publications Committee, is given occassionally, and recognizes excellence in professional journal articles that have been published in Learning Disabilities Research & Practice. For more information, please contact us.
Click here to read about previous award recipients -
Federal Policy-Making Award
Recognizes a policy-maker who has made significant contributions to policies promoting services for students with learning disabilities. As many as three awards can be given annually. Applications are due January 15th of each year.
Download application -
Jeannette E. Fleischner Award
Honors those who advance the field of learning disabilities through direct services, policy development, community service, research and/or organizational leadership. As many as three awards can be given annually to recognize a variety of types of contributions. The award consists of travel expenses for presentation of the award at a conference affiliated with DLD. Applications for this award are due January 15th of each year.
Download application | Click here to read about previous award recipients -
Marva Collins Diversity Award
The Marva Collins Diversity Award honors a special education teacher who makes a significant impact in the education of children and youths with Learning Disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The award consists of a $200 stipend and free registration to the DLD National Conference. Nominations for this award are due August 30th of each year.
Download application | Click here to read about previous award recipients -
Outstanding Educator of the Year Award
Outstanding Educator-of-the-Year Awards are designed to recognize outstanding professionals who serve students with specific learning disabilities. Nominees may be special educators, general educators, administrators, or other educators who have spent at least 5 years serving students with learning disabilities at any grade level. The award consists of: (a) a $200 stipend, (b) a free registration to the DLD National Conference for the year they are receiving the award OR the following year, and (c) a commemorative plaque. Nomination and three letters of support are due August 30th annually.
Download application | Click here to read about previous award recipients -
Annual Outstanding Doctoral Research Award
Encourages excellence in doctoral level research and recognizes quality research that contributes to the field of learning disabilities. The Award consists of:
- A $500 cash award.
- Up to an additional $500 for travel to receive the award at the CEC Annual Convention
- One-year membership in CEC and DLD
- An opportunity to present the research at the CEC Annual Convention.
- An invitation to submit the research for publication in the DLD journal, Learning Disabilities Research & Practice
Grants and Loans
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Candace S. Bos Innovative Project Grants
Grants to support teachers and support personnel of students with learning disabilities as they develop creative projects to enhance instruction, curriculum, action research, and service delivery. DLD allots a yearly total of $5,000 for support, funding individual projects from $100 to $1,000. Applicants must be members of DLD. Applications are due May 20 of each year. Awards are made by August 1.
Download application | Click here to read about previous award recipients -
DLD Assisted Regional Conferences
Regional consortia composed of 2-7 DLD subdivisions are eligible for interest-free loans up to $5,000 to support regional conferences. The Professional Development, Standards, and Ethics Committee of DLD will provide organizational support to regional subdivisions that receive the loans.
Download application -
DLD Subdivision Conference Loans
DLD has interest-free loans up to $5,000 to assist local subdivisions in conducting conferences. These interest-free loans provide subdivisions with the financial assistance that will allow them to have conferences based on the members’ needs. The Professional Development, Standards, and Ethics Committee of DLD will provide organizational support for subdivisions that use interest-free loans to finance their conferences.
Download application