DEBH & DEBH Foundation Awards

This award competition honors the memory of Carl Fenichel, who was a pioneer in the education of children with severe behavior disorders. The purpose of the competition is to promote student research in the area of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. This award will be given to students completing research projects, theses, or dissertations in the area of children with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. This includes an award of $500.

Fenichel Memorial Research Award Application

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

The purpose of this award is to honor an outstanding leader in the field of behavioral disorders who has had a significant impact on the field. This individual will have made significant contributions to the field of behavioral disorders through their research; leadership in state, regional, or national organizations; leadership in teacher education or practitioner preparation; or state and national policy development or implementation. Nominations should be made by someone who is familiar with the nature and quality of the nominee’s work, and who can also speak to the nominee’s character.

Nomination for Outstanding Leadership

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

The purpose of this award is to honor an outstanding practicing professional who works directly with children and/or youth with severe behavioral disorders. The individual should be nominated by someone who is familiar with the nature and quality of their work and can also speak to the person’s character.

Nomination for Outstanding Professional Performance

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

The purpose of this award is to honor an outstanding teacher who currently works as a teacher of children or adolescents with emotional and/or behavioral disorders based on the area or region of the annual International CEC Convention. The 2026 convention is in Salt Lake City, Utah (Utah or any surrounding states qualifies for the region). The individual should be nominated by someone who is familiar with the nature and quality of their work, and who can also speak to the person’s character and their impact on the lives of students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. The recipient will receive $500, free registration to the CEC convention, and one night hotel stay. The award will be presented to the recipient at the CEC Luncheon.

Nomination for 2026 DEBH Teacher of the Year

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

This award recognizes higher education faculty who are establishing or have established a coherent line of intervention research with school-age persons with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) in authentic educational environments that improves the outcomes for children and youth, provides teachers/staff/guardians with additional practices, and adds to the field’s body of science. These both include an award of $500.

Doctoral Interventionist Award Application

Interventionist Award Application

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

The purpose of this award is to support an outstanding doctoral student to conduct applied behavioral research in their current area of practice. Eligible applicants are those who are enrolled in an accredited doctoral program, actively engaged in applied research to support improved behavior, and have an IRB-approved (or in process) research project in their specialty area. An award of $1,000 will be presented at the annual Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders (TECBD) conference in Tempe, Arizona. Award funds are intended to support applicant research activities and/or to present their findings at professional conferences. For information on this award, email [email protected]

Completed applications must be submitted by August 1, 2025

The purpose of this grant is to encourage the professional development of all persons involved in providing education or related services to children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD) consistent with the mission of DEBH. The Foundation will provide funding up to $500 to enable practitioners to attend professional development activities that are supported by DEBH (e.g., TECBD, CEC conferences).

Professional Development Grant Application

Two opportunities: Completed applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025 or April 1, 2026

The purpose of this grant is to recognize the professional application of knowledge and skills to improve academic, social, emotional, and community employment-based outcomes for children and youth with challenging behaviors. The DEBH Foundation will award funding of up to $500 to implement a high quality practice or program that directly serves students in their educational setting.

Practitioner Grant Application

Two opportunities: Completed applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025 or April 1, 2026

Dr. Eleanor Guetzloe - Undergraduate Scholarship 
Dr. Douglas Cheney - Graduate Scholarship 
Dr. Lyndal Bullock - Doctoral Scholarship 
The purpose of the Academic Scholarships are to support undergraduate and graduate study in the area of emotional/behavioral disorders. The DEBH Foundation will award a $500 scholarship to one undergraduate, one graduate, and one doctoral student towards educational expenses.

Scholarship Application

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025

The purpose of this award is to empower the next generation of leaders. This award  supports a Graduate Student Member of DEBH. The recipient will receive $1000 to attend the Annual Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS). This provides an opportunity to come together with fellow educators and leaders in the field to learn more about advocacy and meet with representatives and senators. The fiscal award is intended to offset expenses for attending the Summit, with the expectation the recipient will report back to the DEBH Executive Council.

SELS Application

Completed applications must be submitted by May 1, 2025