Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a growing field with almost limitless potential. It contributes to a wide range of specialized career fields in the public and private sectors and offers career opportunities that focus on helping other people. There are a vast number of job types in the world of behavior and education, and ABA is one that is becoming more well-known and desired. Schools, clinics, parents, caregivers, organizations, sports teams, treatment facilities, hospitals, and big businesses have the need for well-educated and experienced applied behavior analysts to help with their unique needs.
Going to a 4-year university and beyond to become a behavior analyst is a move that many are making––whether that be straight out of high school or a 2-year college, or after the decision to make a career change, which by the way many people have been choosing to do recently.
Unfortunately, the opportunity for excellent instruction and training comes with a price: namely, the immense cost of higher education. However, all is not lost. As with any prominent field in need of new job applicants, there is a lot of funding available, provided you know where to look.
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Here are five great sources of grant money and scholarships for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in applied behavior analysis.
SABA Grants
As per evaluations by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Analysis (SABA) offers annual grants to students who serve to advance the science of applied behavior analysis.
Their main goal is to fund graduate student research projects on various ABA topics, which will hopefully add to the valid and reliable data surrounding the field––which in turn will ultimately be used by the next generation of analysts.
The current grants SABA offers include:
- International Development Grant
- Senior Student Presenter Grant
- Innovative Student Research Grant
- Innovative Student Research Grant in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant
- Public Awareness Grant
- ABAI Student Member Registration Campaign Grants
In addition to the grants themselves, SABA offers restricted and unrestricted funds to ABA students and professionals.
ABAI also offers ample resources for students who are entering the field, potentially providing useful information to help guide the direction of their studies.
Autism Recovery Foundation Behavior Analysis Scholarship
Autism is gaining widespread recognition, in the United States and elsewhere, as the true breadth of the multi-faceted disability becomes more apparent. Some behaviors, once seen as simply aberrant, willful, stubborn, or quirky are now being recognized as falling on the autistic spectrum. With up-to-date research and knowledge on autism circulating via social media, television, textbooks, and online articles, the need for more professionals who can work with this population is becoming apparent.
Applied behavior analysts constitute one of the leading forces in the engagement of groundbreaking autism therapies. There is vast research on the efficacy of ABA strategies and interventions with those individuals who are on the spectrum.
Graduate students who are pursuing advanced studies in applied behavioral analysis may apply for the Autism Recovery Foundation Behavior Analysis Scholarship, which is awarded based on the merit of a student’s advanced research.
An important goal at the Autism Recovery Foundation is to support the development and training of a qualified workforce to provide quality early intensive behavioral treatment to families with young children with autism. This scholarship program was developed to assist students who are working towards certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA).
Not only does the Autism Recovery Foundation help support ABA students and professionals, but they also give back to families in need. They provide financial assistance to those who are not able to cover some of the intensive cost of therapeutic services for their child with autism.
This foundation is genuine and is looking toward a bright future.
World Campus Scholarship from Penn State
Penn State University is a recognized authority in international behavioral studies. Students who have been accepted into a behavioral health program at Penn State may apply for the World Campus scholarship. The scholarship requires acceptance into a program related to behavioral health and analysis, but the scholarship itself may be put towards any class in which the student is enrolled.
This is an excellent opportunity for enterprising individuals who wish to broaden their professional expertise, by taking additional specialized coursework from a highly reputable institution. World Campus graduates have gone on to earn considerable acclaim in the behavioral health field at large.
Here are some facts about the Penn State World Campus Scholarship:
- Both Pennsylvania and non-Pennsylvania residents receive equal consideration for scholarships and awards.
- International students are eligible for a select few scholarships.
- Approximately 25% of awards go to first-year students who complete the scholarship application.
- Penn State World Campus offers more than 40 scholarships, which are awarded to hundreds of undergraduate students each year.
- Reducing barriers and enabling access to education, and generating philanthropic support, are foundational elements of Penn State’s strategic plan.
Stephanie, a scholarship recipient says, “During these difficult times, this scholarship will make it possible for me to continue my studies at school and reduce my financial burden tremendously. As a mother of 6, it can sometimes be difficult to put your needs first. This scholarship was the extra motivation that I needed to never give up regardless of what challenges come ahead.”
So if you’re thinking about studying in the field of ABA and need a bit of financial help, the World Campus Scholarship may be just the one for you.
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US Department of Education Special Education Grants
The Office of Special Education Programs within the US Department of Education offers student research grants for individuals pursuing degrees in developmental psychology, applied behavior analysis, and other fields which are considered instrumental in the development of new treatments to help the mentally impaired and learning disabled.
The education of such individuals is in many cases key to their ability to lead as normal a life as is possible; applied behavior analysts may work with individuals in need of assistance, or they may develop programs for widespread application.
Here are examples of programs they offer grants for and their purpose.
- Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program
Purpose: To support accessible technology and educational media and material.
- Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities
Purpose: Help states meet state-identified needs for adequate numbers of fully-certified personnel to serve children with disabilities by supporting competitive awards.
- State Personnel Development Grants Program
Purpose: Help state educational agencies reform and improve their systems for personnel preparation and professional development of individuals providing early intervention, educational, and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities.
Visit the Office of Special Education Programs’ page on grants and other sources of funding for more information, and to apply.
Check out Individual College Websites
Lastly, don’t forget about directly browsing top college and university websites. Not every college offers specific program-related grants and scholarships, but there are many that do, and it might just be worth it to apply and see what happens.
Three examples of these include:
This university has Project iSED, which “aims to prepare 34 high-quality scholars to serve as either Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or School Social Workers who can collaboratively design and deliver evidence-based instruction and intensive individualized interventions and supports for school-aged children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders in schools.”
Students who earn the scholarship will get three semesters fully paid for as well as the opportunity to attend seminars, a summer institute, and be guided through their practicum and portfolio.
This grant-funed ABA program “offers the necessary fieldwork experience required to seek board certification as a behavior analyst. Texas public educators who have a desire to continue their education in applied behavior analysis with applications in the classroom setting are eligible to participate. Participants will be provided the opportunity to utilize work time in their district, school or classroom to earn the required 2,000 hours of fieldwork experience with remote supervision from highly qualified staff and faculty at Texas Tech University.”
UNT has three scholarships specifically geared toward those who are seeking an advanced degree in the field of ABA. These include the Donald L. Whaley Memorial Scholarship, the Douglas P. Field Scholarship for Graduate Student Research, and the Grace of a Miracle Scholarship.
The best thing to do is to choose your top university choices that offer ABA degree opportunities and then determine if any grants or scholarships are awarded.
Great Grants or Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysts: Conclusion
All current and potential college students who are needing extra financial help to get through those tedious university years should definitely browse through these five resources. Applied behavior analysts benefit from grants or scholarships from a wide range of sources, all to encourage more interested students and qualified professionals to get involved in the field. There is a growing need for professionals who can meet the requirements for developing and implementing therapeutic programs for individuals with autism.
Brittany Cerny
Master of Education (M.Ed.) | Northeastern State University
Behavior and Learning Disorders | Georgia State University
Updated October 2021
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