Grants

Joint IASD/DreamScienceTM foundation
Grant Partnership (updated 8/15/2023)

Index

IASD/DSF AND DEI GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) is working in partnership with the DreamScience Foundation (DSF), to provide seed grants for dream research. The objective of this joint granting activity is to stimulate dream related research with students and professionals who might not otherwise be able to pursue that research project and to enhance the S mission of IASD in supporting research. The grants would be awarded to recipients through a process of rating and selection by the Research Grant Committee (as described below). If you identify as a member of an ethnic group that has been underrepresented in the field of dream research, you may also apply for IASD DEI Dream Research Grant funding support (follow the instructions below). The number of grants, and the amount for each, will be limited by the funds made available each year from DSF and other sponsoring groups or individuals who donate to dream research.

Submission Areas: High quality quantitative and qualitative research proposals are invited in areas related to dreams and dreaming, including but not limited to the biology or neuroscience of dreaming, phenomenological and psychological studies of dreaming, and such fields as anthropological and cultural studies. Targeted sponsorship for special disciplines (such as for PTSD, Lucidity and such) would be advertised in the Call for Grant Proposals in that funding cycle.

Grant Award Process: at least once per year, in conjunction with the IASD annual conference in June, IASD and DSF will announce a call for research proposals with deadlines of 15 October each year. Grants awards are limited by the funds received from public donations to dream research, the DreamScience Foundation (DSF), IASD matching, and donations to “IASD Diversity.” Qualification for full or partial grant awards is based on a rating of research quality by the Research Grant Committee (RGC) of professional researchers then reviews by the IASD Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) and other sponsors. Research quality rating is based on: a) value to dream science and the population served; b) a solid methodology and design; and c) various risk elements.  Grants are typically awarded in the December time frame and at that time announced on the DSF and IASD web sites as well as in IASD newsletters and the periodical DreamTime. The awardee(s) of the previous year’s grant(s) will also be announced at the annual IASD conference the following year and one researcher from the team will be provided with a waved fee scholarship opportunity to present preliminary or final results at that or a following conference.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS

The International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) is a nonprofit, international, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the pure and applied investigation of dreams and dreaming. Its purpose is to promote an awareness and appreciation of dreams in both professional and public arenas; to encourage research into the nature, function, and significance of dreaming; to advance the application of the study of dreams; and to provide a forum for the eclectic and interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information. IASD is open to anyone who studies, explores, or works with dreams. Membership represents about 30 countries and people from all disciplines with benefits that include our APA published journal Dreaming and the magazine DreamTime. www.asdreams.org

The DreamScience Foundation (DSF): was created for the purpose of providing private funding in a co-funding partnership with IASD, toward research in dreams and dreaming. Go to www.dreamscience.org for more information on the organization. DSF funds are privately donated, a majority in a matching arrangement with IASD in support of this granting partnership.

IASD DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Dream Research Grant sponsor. is a perpetual opportunity made possible from donations to “IASD Diversity.”  If you are submitting a proposal for an IASD/DSF research grant and identify as a member of an ethnic group that has been underrepresented in the field of dream research, you may also apply for IASD DEI Dream Research Grant funding support. Follow the instructions below for qualification as a research grant but also the special instructions requesting approval for DEI funding support. This requires additional supporting information be added to the APPLICATION FOR IASD DEI FUNDING SUPPORT field in the online submission form. For a further description of this grant opportunity, see the IASD Dreams & Ethnicity Portal

Special Sponsorships: from time-to-time donations are provided for and restricted to supporting specific populations or areas of research. These will be announced in the Call in that annual cycle and no special instructions are required other than to note that area of applicability in your proposal.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRANT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

 Submission Deadline: 15 October each year

 Submissions Must be Electronically Submitted Via the Online Form.

STEP #1 PREPARE YOUR CONTENT

  • DOWNLOAD THE SAMPLE FORM for a PDF copy of the Online Submission Form to guide your preparation. It is ONLY A SAMPLE and is NOT to be sent in as a submission.
Download SAMPLE SUBMISSION Form

OR

  • USE the GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING YOUR CONTENT (below) – a line-by-line list of instructions for preparing the content for the Online Submission Form.

STEP #2 – SUBMIT ONLINE

Once your proposal’s content is ready it can be copied into the online RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM here.  Note that the form cannot be edited once submitted (but can be resubmitted).

Online Grant Proposal Submission Form

Once your online form has been completed and submitted you will receive automatic confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt or have a question, please contact the IASD Central Office (office@asdreams.org) and copy Bob Hoss (robertjhoss@aol.com ). All communication will only be via e-mail so make sure your e-mail address is correct in all documentation.

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING YOUR CONTENT

The information below follows the instructions and format of the online form. 

SUBMISSION/SUBMITTER INFORMATION

  • Research Study Title
  • Researcher’s Name(s) and Credential Designations if any (PhD, MA, etc.), affiliation (Institution) and Country of Residence – for all researchers participating in the study.
  • Study Affiliation: Institution(s) where the Study is to be Conducted (if private, note that).
  • Primary Contact Name(s): for primary submitter and only those you wish to receive notifications.
  • Email(s): if more than one separate with a comma.
  • Telephone Number (primary contact only)
  • Brief Bio of Primary Researcher(s) Involved (max 50 words each)

 NATURE OF THE RESEARCH

  •  Quantitative – findings generally reported and analyzed numerically or statistically, might be used to test or confirm theories and hypotheses to establish generalizable facts about a topic. Includes: controlled experiments, numerically reported observations, surveys with closed-ended questions and such.
  •  Qualitative – methods, might be aimed at gathering in-depth insights on topics, concepts, thoughts or experiences that are not well explored or understood.
  •  Mixed Qualitative and Quantitative – for example a Qualitative exploration and information collection whereby the data is Quantitatively analyzed.

METHODOLOGY

  • Introductory Summary (300 words max): Provide a brief introduction and contextual overview of the study as you would like the reviewer to comprehend it.
  • Objectives (300 words max): List the primary Objectives, Hypothesis and/or Claims, or if the study is an open inquiry discuss what question(s) you hope to explore or answer.
  • Summary and Nature of Population in the Study (200 words max): Describe the nature and rationale for the subject groups including: number of subjects, subject grouping, control groups, nature (ex: trauma survivors, a specific ethnic group, students etc.)
  • Anticipated Results (250 words max): The nature of what you hope to conclude or discover from this study in relation to the objectives.
  • Design (1000 words max): Provide design detail (surveys, tools, process measures etc) you plan to use to support specific objectives, hypotheses, claims or the question you plan to explore, including how the design addresses the anticipated results. For Quantitative Studies methods might include controlled experiments, numerically reported observations, surveys with closed-ended questions and such. These require a description of the specific tools planned for data collection and analysis and how variables are to be limited and controlled as well as measures taken to minimize bias (ex: population sampling and selection bias which can affect generalization of the results).  For Qualitative Studies: methods might include open inquiry, interviews with open-ended questions, observations described in words, and literature reviews that explore concepts and theories. Such studies also require a description of any particular surveys, tools and details of the approach to be used for collection and analysis as well as measures to minimize bias (ex. population selection, researcher expectation, memory recall, socially desirable response – in surveys or interviews).

VALUE

  • Value to Dream Science (250 words max): What do you consider the benefits of the study to be? Discuss the unique value and impact of the study to furthering dream science such as the unique untested or previously unexplored aspects of the study. Also, if it is a replication discuss its unique value in replicating the prior study.
  • Value to the Subject Population (250 words max): Discuss the unique value and benefit of this study to the populations being studied and/or those involved in supporting those populations (ex: a specific ethnic group, PTSD or Trauma survivors, social workers and clinicians, etc.)

RISK

Risk involves an assessment of a) reasonability and probability of success as proposed, b) budget clarity and our ability to fund critical elements, c) ethics consideration.

  • Requested Grant amount (100 words max): a) amount requested; b) total expenses needed to complete the study if different; and c) if additional funds are needed what is the anticipated source and your confidence in receiving it. Note that our grants (historically in the range of $3000 to $5000) are limited by the donations received and sometimes are awarded as partial or seed grants which or may or may not cover the full amount requested.
  • Budget (100 words max): A brief budget listing is requested which describes the planned application of a) for direct expenses critical to the design (material, tools, software, payments to subjects and unique subcontracted or assistant support, etc) and b) indirect expenses (travel, books, space rental, researcher salaries, etc. Note that pre-payment of fees to obtain IRB approval and expenses to present at the IASD conference are not part of the grant.
  • Timeframe (100 words max):: brief timeline when you anticipate the various phases of the study will be completed.
  • Ethics and IRB Approval (150 words max): When live subjects are involved in the study approved consent is not only required from the subjects, but IASD requires the researchers to obtain ethics approval from an IRB (a formal ethics review board), to be considered for a grant. Please indicate whether you a) have IRB or like ethics board approval and from where or b) are planning on obtaining it and from where. Ethics review may not be needed for use of archival material however written consent may be required for copyright or other material which was not approved for general publication or use by others.]

APPLICATION FOR IASD DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION) FUNDING SUPPORT (750 words max)

The intent of this grant is to help diversify the field of dream research by lifting up and amplifying the voices of dream researchers from ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in dream research.” For a further description of this grant opportunity, see the IASD Dreams & Ethnicity Portal. If you wish, your proposal to also qualify for DEI grant funding, follow the instructions below. Once applied for, your proposal will be evaluated based on the grant qualification criteria above and that evaluation and your request will be sent to the IASD Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) committee for further funding consideration. Please provide the following “short essay prompt” as stated below but including for clarity the information requested in steps 1, 2, 3: In a short essay: 1) Please describe your background and accomplishments, educational and professional goals. 2) Please describe how this dream research grant can help you reach those goals. 3) Please use this section to confirm your identity as a member of an ethnic group that has been underrepresented in dream research (for example, Black, Indigenous, or POC communities in the United States and Canada).

REPORTING AND PERMISSION TO PUBLISH:

We plan to announce the receipt of the awards, on both the IASD and DSF web sites as well as in other IASD postings and publications as deemed appropriate. Awardees are also requested to send IASD/DSF a status report (email) when the study is completed – with a brief summary of results compared with objectives (please indicate if you do not wish us to post it on the grant site). Although not a requirement we encourage those receiving a grant to submit the results of the research to one of IASD’s publications ( Journal Dreaming or DreamTime) and/or to present the results at the appropriate IASD Annual conference. The grant award will include one complementary conference fee scholarship, for one presenter, for that purpose (please notify the central office www.asdreams.org and robertjhoss@aol.com prior to the conference if you take advantage of the complementary fee). Please indicate whether these reporting and publishing conditions are acceptable. *

COMMENTS or QUESTIONS (150 words max) If any.

REFERENCE LISTING (maximum 400 words)  Listing of only  the key references that support any of the brief reference notations in the sections above. If none insert N/A or other explanation.