Graduate Student Research Award
The Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems (FAHS) confers up to two cash awards annually to assist graduate students in the completion of their thesis or dissertation pertaining to couples and family therapy or family therapy training.
Criteria
Must be a member of AAMFT. This award can be self-nominated by an AAMFT member or nominated by another AAMFT member. The nominator must submit the nominee’s proposal
and a written statement (500 words max) of why the proposal should be selected, including identifying current forms of university/program support or outlining/identifying how the award
will be used to assist in completing the project. Selection criteria for the award include:
1. Significance of the topic for family therapy.
2. Quality of the conceptualization and design.
3. Feasibility.
4. Availability of support to complete the topic.
In the case of equally meritorious applications, consideration will be given to applicants who have volunteered service within the AAMFT association (e.g., Family TEAM, Topical Interest
Networks, Geographic Interest Networks, Independent Affiliates, Minority Fellowship Program, Leadership Mentor, JMFT contributor, in-person and virtual events, etc.).
Required Materials
All self-nominations require a letter of recommendation to be submitted with materials.
Award
The award consists of:
- A cash award of up to $2,500 per recipient.
- An engraved plaque presented at an AAMFT event (virtual or in person).
- Reimburse up to $1,000 per recipient for travel to the SFTC for the year the conference is held in person. If the award is given during virtual years, the awardee may use the travel award toward the upcoming Advanced Institutes or Leadership Symposium.).
- The event registration fee will also be waived for the award recipient(s) (if applicable).
How to apply: In order to qualify for this award, interested candidates must complete an online application .
Note: The AAMFT Systemic Family Therapy Conference registration fee will be waived for all award recipients. In order to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, anyone who is on the AAMFT, The Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems, or AAMFT sponsored payroll is ineligible to be considered for an award so long as that financial relationship exists. All award recipients must be members of AAMFT with the exception of those receiving the Excellence in Media award, and at least one author of the Outstanding Research Publication award must be a member.
2024 Award Recipients
Graduate Student Research Award Video

Nakita Carroll |

Katherine Morris |
Past Recipients of the Graduate Student Research Award
- Morgan Hamilton (2023)
- Kayla Doyle (2023)
- Chelynn Randolph (2022)
- Tatjana Farley (2022)
- Sapna Srivastava (2021)
- Marissa Mosley (2021)
- Aimee Hubbard (2020)
- Morgan Lancaster Strickland (2020)
- Sarah Wolford (2019)
- Allison Rayburn (2018)
- Stephanie Armes (2018)
- Angelique Foye (2017)
- Kayla Reed Fitzke (2017)
- Megan Ferriby (2016)
- Bridget Sanchez (2016)
- Megan Oed (2015)
- Amy Claridge (2014)
- Ashley Landers (2013)
- Erica J.W. Kanewischer (2012)
- Adam M. Moore (2009)
- Lisa Zak-Hunter (2009)
- Faith Drew (2008)
- Mary Sue Green (2008)
- Elise M. Cole (2007)
- Ebony Joy James (2006)
- Sean Davis (2005)
- Kelly A. Blasko (2003)
- Yael R. Ebenstein (2003)
- Katherine A. Hertlein (2002)
- Stefani Hendrick (2001)
- Stephanie Walsh (2001)
- Michelle R. Ward (2000)
- Steven Kogan (1999)
- Charette Dersch (1999)
- Beth Spring (1998)
- Timothy Ozechowski (1998)
- Jane F. Dye (1997)
- Gary M. Diamond (1996)
- Maryann Sheridan Walsh (1996)