Terms of Reference

Background Information

The Special Education Fund was established in 1992 using the profit made from the Dunedin Conference in that year. The Fund has grown with the addition of successive Conference profits and accruing annual interest. It now stands at more than $150,000. The total amount of the grants this year will be in the region of $5000.

A Committee of four to five members appointed by the NZAP Council will manage the application process.

Purpose of the Fund

To provide financial assistance to members and provisional members for projects including attending study courses or carrying out research projects considered to be of benefit to the respective member’s professional development and for the enhancement of the Association as a whole. It is also available for projects that promote the practice of psychotherapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.(2011 Please note that this is an expansion of the original criteria of study or research).

Preference may be given to those prepared to commit themselves to attending Conference and presenting a paper/workshop following completion of their study, or agreeing to write an in-depth paper for the next edition of Forum, if they are unable to attend Conference that year.

Amount of the Grant

• One or more grants per year for projects overseas or in Aotearoa. These grants will total $2,000 or up to one half the interest on the fund in the year, whichever is larger.
• If not awarded in any year the grant will be added to the amount to be awarded in the following year.

Eligibility

• Full members
• Retired members
• Provisional members
• Group - awarded to one member on behalf of the group, the majority of whom belong to one or other above-mentioned category of NZAP membership

Application Steps

1. Study proposal, accompanied by a budget, to be sent to the Executive Officer by 14th November with the request for study/research/project assistance for the year following the November deadline
2. Funding assistance to be requested for a specific training course or approved research programme from which there are personal and collective (NZAP) clinical practice benefits, or initiatives that bring general advantages to the promotion of psychotherapy as a whole.
3. The Education Fund Committee will make a decision by the end of December, unless a research proposal needs to be referred to the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee for their endorsement, in which case it may take longer. The Grant, if made, will be available only in the nominated year
4. The decision of the Committee will be final.
5. The Committee will notify applicants, whether or not they have been successful, before the end of the year.
6. Successful applicant(s) will be announced at the annual conference and the grant money distributed at that time.

Requirements

Applicants to provide:

• A clear, succinct explanation – in one to two pages – of the specific course or research project, or plan for the promotion of psychotherapy and follow-up plans for NZAP (see Purpose of the Fund)
• A letter of recommendation from their Supervisor
• A copy of the proposed budget, including other sources of funding

N.B. The Grant is not primarily intended for:

• Accommodation / meal costs
• Cost of books

Education Fund Committee

• Alayne Hall
• Susan Horne
• Mary Fennesy
• Helen Packard
• Marian Vlaar (Treasurer ex officio)

February 2011