Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award Grant

The Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award, presented by the International Literacy Association, recognizes exceptional doctoral research in the field of reading and literacy. This award encourages innovative scholarship that bridges research and practice, fostering improvements in literacy education globally. Eligible candidates must be ILA members in good standing and demonstrate significant contributions through their dissertations. The award is granted only when high-quality applications meet rigorous evaluation standards.

NOTE:  This is a blind review process, applications must not include any identifying information, including names and institutional affiliations, except in the applicant information section.
Literacy Leadership Awards and Grants
ILA’s awards and grants honor outstanding graduate and doctoral students, literacy educators, and researchers in all stages of their careers.
The International Literacy Association (ILA) Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award honors an outstanding doctoral student who focused their research in the reading field or who conducted related research with implications for reading.
Dissertation monographs will be evaluated, through a blind review process, using the following criteria:

• Significance of Research Question
• Theoretical Framework/Literature Review
• Rationale for the Research
• Appropriateness and Adequacy of the Methodology/Approach
• Significance/Implications for Practice and Research
• Clarity, Cohesion, and Specificity
• The award will be granted only in years when the committee concludes there is a high-quality application that meets the rigorous standards outlined above.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award must have completed dissertations in any aspect of the field of reading or literacy between the specified dates and had their dissertation approved by their committee.Studies may use any research approach (ethnographic, experimental, historical, survey, etc.). Each study will be assessed in light of its approach, its scholarship, and its significant contributions to knowledge within the reading/literacy field.To be eligible, candidates must be ILA members in good standing and maintain active membership through the specified date.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. To be eligible, candidates must be ILA members in good standing and maintain active membership
through the specified date.

Ineligibility

Previously published monographs are not eligible for this award.