The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one of the most widely used language exams over the world. The TOEFL is developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. The TOEFL measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is used in college and university settings. Scores on the test are required by more than 4,300 two- and four-year colleges and universities, professional schools, and sponsoring institutions.
ETS has numerous awards available for EFL teachers and for academics doing research or dissertation study on ELT. The TOEFL Grants and Awards Committee of the TOEFL Board administers the Grants and Awards program. This six-member committee makes recommendations to the TOEFL Board about grant proposals; initiates suggestions for the development of new grants and awards that will further the vision and mission of the TOEFL program; oversees the establishment of review panels for grants and awards under its sponsorship; establishes processes for the review of each award program; and makes recommendations on the funding and levels of grants and awards.
Several of the grants and awards are cosponsored by other TOEFL Board committees and by outside organizations. The TOEFL Partners in Excellence Award is sponsored by NAFSA; the TOEFL Board Awards for International Participation at TESOL are cosponsored by TESOL; the Committee of Examiners sponsors the Jacqueline A. Ross Dissertation Award.
In the following table, please see a very brief description about each grant and award opportunity. For more information on how to apply, please refer to the TOEFL Grants and Awards booklet, or the TOEFL website (www.ets.org/toefl/grants).
Name of grant/award program
Purpose
Awards
Application deadline
TOEFL Small Grants For Doctoral Research in Second or Foreign Language Assessment
To make available small cash awards to students writing their dissertation on foreign/second language assessment
Up to ten awards annually, up to 2,000 USD each
October 1 / March 1
TOEFL Outstanding Young Scholar Award
To recognize an outstanding contribution to second or foreign language assessment – for scholars under 40
Cash prize
2,000 USD
October 1
TOEFL Board Grants
To help support external activities or projects related to international education and exchange – for non-profit institutions.
5,000 – 15,000 USD, for one year. Continuation of funding possible (max. of two years).
October 1 / March 1
Jacqueline A. Ross Dissertation Award
To recognize dissertation research that makes an original contribution in the field of second/foreign language tests and testing
Award of 2,500 USD and trip to Language Testing Research Colloquium
May 17 (abstract) / August 1 (dissertation)
TOEFL Partners in Excellence Award
For int’l students and faculty/staff/administrators initiating/working on an int’l educational or exchange program
Covering travel costs to attend the NAFSA Conference; 500 USD for the int’l student recipients; 1,000 USD to the model program
October 1
Samuel J. Messick Memorial Lecture Award
To support (at the annual joint meeting of ILTA and LTRC) the delivery of a major address on a topic of high potential relevance to foreign/second language testing practices
1,000 USD, and stipend to cover expenses to visit the conference
Continuous; before April 30 for a given year
TOEFL International Speaker Grant
Up to 3 awards for participation at a conference (outside the US and Canada), to address issues of ELT, testing, or teacher education
Up to 2,500 USD, to help cover travel, hotel and meal expenses.
October 1 / March 1
TOEFL Library and Resource Center Award
To enable libraries or resource centers (outside the US and Canada) to enhance their collections of basic language teaching and testing books, and materials
Resource books on EFL teaching, teacher education, TESOL and TOEFL reference works
October 1 / March 1
TOEFL Board Grants For International Participation at TESOL
To increase international attendance and presentation of papers at the annual TESOL convention. Must be TESOL members.
Up to 5 awards to cover travel and lodging expenses.
Same as the convention’s call for participation (See December issue of TESOL Matters)
