ACBS Membership Scholarship Policy
ACBS is committed to outreach to scholars, practitioners, researchers and other professionals who have a strong interest in ACT, RFT and Contextual Behavioral Science and who have difficulty affording full membership in the organization. For those who are interested in a membership scholarship, we ask that you read the policy carefully, and complete the following scholarship application.
Scholarship Application - APPLY HERE
I. Purpose
Outreach to scholars, practitioners, researchers and other professionals worldwide with a strong interest in ACT, RFT and Contextual Behavioral Science is among ACBS’s highest priorities. To further that goal, scholarships for membership are available on a yearly basis for those who cannot afford the full membership dues.
II. Scope
Membership scholarships are provided to self-nominated individuals in the field of ACT, RFT and Contextual Behavioral Science on a case-by-case basis. Membership scholarships are designed to support the financial obligations of ACBS membership for scholars, researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals who support the mission of ACBS.
III. Award
Scholarship recipients receive complimentary membership to ACBS for one full calendar year.
IV. Eligibility
Scholarships are available to any scholars, practitioners, researchers and other professionals who have a strong interest in ACT, RFT and Contextual Behavioral Science. Applicants must declare an inability to pay ACBS membership dues. Prior ACBS membership does not impact eligibility.
A. Applicants must reside in one of the low and lower-middle income economies as defined by World Bank Country and Lending Groups calculated using the World Bank Atlas method. A list of eligible countries is included below.
B. Applicants who are awarded membership scholarships are expected to actively contribute to ACBS and its endeavors by way of the following: submission of an abstract to the ACBS World Conference, active participation in an ACBS Chapter/SIG or Committee, conducting research on ACT, RFT and Contextual Behavioral Science, contribution to the journal, contribution to the web page or other activities that benefit ACBS and its mission.
V. Application Process
A. Applicants must complete the application form and submit it, using the form found on the website here. Applications can be submitted any time of the year. Applications received will be reviewed twice each year (in early October and early April) and acceptance emails, will be sent out soon after the reviews are completed.
B. Applicants must re-apply annually and can renew for two more years (three years total). An email with a link to the scholarship renewal application form will be sent to scholarship recipients one month prior to their membership renewal date. Applicants must complete this application form to renew their membership.
C. Applicants must declare that they cannot afford to pay membership dues.
D. Applicants must also be able to communicate via email.
VI. Selection Process
A. Currently, ACBS accepts 50 new membership applications each year (25 memberships will be awarded both in October and in April). Prior ACBS membership does not impact eligibility.
• ACBS staff will process new scholarship applications up to 50 memberships (25 in October and 25 in April). Memberships will be awarded using random selection if more than 25 scholarship applications are received (for either review/selection period).
B. Recipients will be notified of the decisions via email, by ACBS staff.
Eligible Country List
This eligible country list includes low and lower-middle income economies as defined by World Bank Country and Lending Groups calculated using the World Bank Atlas method. For a more detailed explanation by the World Bank please see their country income table. (Updated 9/27/2024).
Afghanistan
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Djibouti
Egypt, Arab Rep.
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Eswatini
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Haiti
Honduras
India
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Dem. People’s Rep.
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao PDR
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritania
Micronesia, Fed. Sts.
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Rwanda
Samoa
São Tomé and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
West Bank and Gaza
Yemen, Rep.
Zambia
Zimbabwe