Identifying Resiliency and Protective Factors of Recently Incarcerated: A Pilot Study 

The goal of this pilot project is to produce relevant information and data that are attractive to other potential funding sources and expand upon this study’s deliverables. The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation will provide seed money for a pilot study focused on the successful transition into society of incarcerated individuals. Such a study should satisfy the following:

  1. Contribute to society in a healthy and productive manner.
  2. Include a comprehensive focus on the role of relationships in supporting the transition back into society post-incarceration.
  3. The study should generate key information that will allow for future funding partnerships including with other foundations or Federal funding agencies, so that continued work can occur.

Innovation Challenge

The Innovation Challenge is your opportunity to develop that “Big Idea” that will advance the practice and profession of systemic family therapy. The purpose of this challenge is to encourage Marriage and Family Therapists to think of an innovative advancement that benefits MFTs, consumers or other stakeholders invested in systemic family therapy. This Challenge asks MFTs to think outside of the box, and submit innovative new ideas that, if brought to fruition, can answer a question in a compelling way, but are not yet commercially available.

Minority Fellowship Program

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) provides a tremendous opportunity to Doctoral and Master's students from across the country by offering fellowships that help to facilitate and supplement their growth and development as future practitioners in the field of marriage and family therapy. Funded largely by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), AAMFT Foundation has created the MFP to support the training of practitioners or practitioner/researchers in culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services, treatment and prevention.

Outstanding Research Publication Award

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation annually confers up to two awards to recognize a published article, monograph, book chapter or book that represents an outstanding scholarly achievement in family therapy research. Outstanding scholarly achievement is construed broadly to include a variety of methods and inquiry (quantitative, qualitative, or conceptual), and a variety of findings, including those that confirm previous work, challenge previous work, or generate new areas of inquiry.

Graduate Student Research Award

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation confers up to two cash awards annually to assist graduate students in the completion of their thesis or dissertation pertaining to couples and family therapy or family therapy training.

Dissertation Award

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation recognizes scholarly achievement by recent graduates whose research study related to couples and family therapy or family therapy training. 

Master's Thesis Award

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation recognizes scholarly achievement by recent graduates whose research study related to couples and family therapy or family therapy training. 

Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Leaders

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation awards scholarships to minority students.  The scholarship is open to the following membership categories: Pre-Clinical Fellows, Student, and Clinical Fellows who have been members for less than five (5) years. COAMFTE students or graduates from a COAMFTE program are preferred, but it is not a requirement. The purpose is to support the recruitment, training, and retention of minorities in the field of marriage and family therapy.  

Minority Stipend

Since 1990, cash awards have been given by the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation to up to two minority supervisors-in-training to support the recruitment, training and retention of minorities as AAMFT Approved Supervisors for the field of marriage and family therapy. Criteria: 

  1. United States and Canadian minority citizens and permanent visa residents, including, but not limited to those who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders;
  2. Currently enrolled in Master’s degree program or post-degree training program in marriage and family therapy accredited by the AAMFT COAMFTE;
  3. Candidate must be licensed as an MFT in their state (if there is licensure in their state), or a PhD candidate in marriage and family therapy.

Organizational Contribution Award

Since 1991, the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation has honored up to three members each year for distinctive organizational contributions to the Association.

Distinguished Leadership Award

Since 1983, the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation has recognized persons who have provided outstanding contributions in promoting the development of the practice and the profession of marriage and family therapy within specific areas.  

Past Foundation Keynote Speakers

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation has brought conference attendees fantastic keynotes that have been pivotal in engaging and advancing marriage and family therapy professionals.