WPA-TPS TRAVEL AWARDS

PURPOSE
To enable some trainees and fully-trained professionals/faculty from countries with limited available funds to support participation in international conferences, to give presentations of their original work in cultural psychiatry at WPA-TPS conferences, and at other WPA-TPS sponsored international conferences.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
During 2007, a minimum of two awards will be made.  It is expected that the Travel Award Program will be maintained for the next several years.  A three-member WPA-TPS Awards Committee will select the candidates and the Section Secretary will notify the Awardees and arrange their payments.

Awardees will have their WPA-TPS conference registration fees waived.  Efforts will be made to waive awardees conference registration fees for other WPA-TPS sponsored international conferences.

AMOUNT OF THE AWARDS
For psychiatrists in training $500 USD and for independent scholars or faculty members $750 USD.

ELIGIBILITY
Psychiatrists in training and independent scholars or faculty members are eligible to apply. The award criteria will be based on the quality of the proposed presentation, career plans, and the financial need of the candidate.  The selection criteria to be used are:

• Demonstrated interest in transcultural psychiatry
• Originality of topic of proposed presentation
• Research quality (methods and design and significance)
• Career plans in transcultural psychiatry

Priority will be given to professionals and trainees living and working in low-income countries, who would be unable to participate in WPA-TPS sponsored conferences without this support.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

• January 15, 2007 (Kamakura conference)
• July 1, 2007 (Stockholm conference)

REQUIREMENTS

• An abstract approved by the TPS conference Scientific Committee.
• Letter of application describing the proposed presentation, relevant career plans or activities, financial constraints, and a budget indicating expenses to be paid by the award.
• Candidates must be nominated by a TPS member who is in a position to foster the applicant’s interest and research in transcultural psychiatry.
• For psychiatrists in training, an endorsement letter from their training director or department head.
• For faculty and independent practitioners, a letter of support from their department head or from a colleague familiar with their professional work in transcultural psychiatry.
• Awardees will be expected to attend the entire meeting.
• After the meeting, awardees will be expected to submit a two-page report about their experience attending the meeting, that will be considered for publication in the TP Section Newsletter.

Applications should be sent to WPA-TPS Awards Committee