Jacqueline Ross TOEFL^® Dissertation Award

The TOEFL Program at ETS is pleased to announce the Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award.

To recognize doctoral dissertation research that makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge about second or foreign-language tests and testing and/or the use and development of such tests and testing.

• $2,500 (U.S. dollars)
• Round-trip economy airfare, expenses and hotel accommodations for three nights at the Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC), where the award is presented

To be considered for the award:

• The candidate's institution must have accepted the dissertation within 3 years before the date of the award application deadline.
• The research must have been completed as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited university.
• Although the dissertation under consideration must be written in English, the research may be related to second- or foreign-language testing of any language.

Note: Candidates who have submitted an application for this award in previous years are not eligible.

• September 15, 2024 — Deadline for receipt of summary and abstract, letter from advisor and official proof of dissertation acceptance
• October 20, 2024 — Call to finalists to submit their dissertations
• November 8, 2024 — Deadline for receipt of dissertations
• January 31, 2025 — Selection of award recipient

Applicants must submit the following:

• A typed summary of the dissertation, not to exceed 5,000 words, including tables and figures, but excluding references. Submissions exceeding the word limit will not be considered.
  • The summary should include the following:
    • an abstract, not to exceed 150 words
    • brief descriptions of the theoretical background and rationale
    • purposes of the research
    • methods (including data analyses)
    • results (including tables and figures
    • implications of the results
    • references
  • The number of words for the summary and abstract should be clearly indicated. 
• Proof of acceptance of the dissertation by the candidate's university. Evidence of acceptance can include an official transcript from the university, the dissertation committee's signed acceptance form or a copy of the university diploma. Questions regarding proof of acceptance may be sent to TOEFLGrantsandAwards@ets.org.
• A completed application form (PDF).
• A completed, signed letter from the dissertation advisor or director, using the template form (Word)

Note: Materials should be submitted electronically to TOEFLGrantsandAwards@ets.org.

Proposals are evaluated by an independent panel of judges that does not include ETS staff. Evaluations are made according to the following criteria:

• Scholarly or professional significance to the field of second or foreign-language testing and/or test use and development
• Originality and creativity
• Technical quality
• Quality of presentation

Note: ETS and the TOEFL^® Committee of Examiners reserve the right to decline selection of a recipient should there be no suitable applicants.

For more information, email TOEFLGrantsandAwards@ets.org.