Purpose: The SSTAR Student Research Award recognizes the scholarly work of students who are developing a career in the field of sexual disorders and sexual health and fosters the professional development of individuals beginning their careers in this area.

Eligibility: Submissions are invited from full- or part-time students who, at the time of submission, are enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program, internship, residency, post-doctoral degree, or fellowship sponsored by a recognized institution of higher education or an accredited teaching hospital or health facility.

Submissions: Submissions may be any unpublished scholarly work that focuses on the understanding, assessment, treatment, or prevention of sexual disorders. Examples of possible submissions are:

• A report of empirical research
• A critical review of a body of literature
• A treatment protocol
• A theoretical analysis
• The development of a teaching program

Submissions should be in the form of a double-spaced manuscript, including references to the relevant literature. There is a 30-page limit for the text, not including references, tables, or figures. A one-page abstract of the manuscript should also be included. Email submissions are encouraged. If submitting via mail, please submit four copies of the manuscript. All submissions must be accompanied by a cover sheet including the following required information from the applicant:

• Name, complete mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number
• The program in which the applicant is enrolled
• The title of the paper
• In the case of joint authorship, a statement, signed by all co-authors, indicating that the student is the primary author
• Please note that the applicant's name should appear only on the cover sheet

Deadline: July 1, 2008. Papers received after this date will not be considered for the award.

Selection Criteria: Submissions will be judged by a committee of SSTAR members on originality, scientific and/or professional quality, written presentation, and the contribution to the research and/or clinical fields.

Award: The winner of the competition will be notified by August 15, 2008 and will be asked to give a twenty-minute oral presentation of the submitted manuscript at the next Annual Meeting of SSTAR to be held in Arlington, Virginia, USA from April 2-5, 2009. Travel expenses, conference registration, and three night's hotel accommodation will be paid for the meeting. In addition, the winner will receive a free, one-year, student membership in SSTAR. At the time of the presentation, a plaque and cash award of $100 will be presented to the award recipient. He/she is asked to acknowledge the award in any future publication of the work.

Individuals who submit a paper for the Student Research Award but are not selected to receive the award will be given a free, one-year, student membership in SSTAR and will be encouraged to present their submitted manuscript in poster format at the 2009 SSTAR meeting.

If you have questions about the SSTAR Student Research Award, contact Stephanie W. Kuffel, Ph.D. by email at swkuffel@qwest.net or phone at (509) 456-7888.

Submit papers via email to swkuffel@qwest.net or via mail to:
Stephanie W. Kuffel, Ph.D.
SSTAR Student Research Award Committee
1500 W. 4th Ave., Suite 405
Spokane, WA 99201
USA