Call for Proposals 2004
Honolulu, Hawaii July 28-August 1

The 112th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association will take place in Honolulu, Hawaii in Summer 2004. That might seem far off in the future, but now is the time to think about presenting your work at this prestigious event. The deadline for submitting a proposal for APAGS convention programming is approaching faster than you might think! Materials must be received in the APA Central Office by November 14th to be considered for acceptance.

Why would you want to submit a proposal to APAGS?

The APAGS Program proposal process is highly competitive. Only the very best proposals are selected. By presenting your work at the APA convention, you will not only gain valuable knowledge and professional contacts, but also professional experience unlike any other available to most graduate students. You will have access to a national audience for sharing your ideas and insights. And you will gain a gem for your CV! As additional incentive, if you are an APAGS member, you can serve as the program's chair in your own right (without sponsorship from a full APA Member, as is the case with all other non-APAGS programming) and your convention registration fee will be paid by APAGS.

Submitting a convention proposal is a valuable experience (even if your proposal is not accepted for the 2004 convention). APAGS follows APA rules for submissions, so if you plan on presenting at APA or other major conferences in the future, this is a good way to learn the process and refine your skills.

If you are believe that travel to Honolulu will be prohibitively expensive, there may be some help available. Your school might have grant money to assist with travel expenses to professional conventions. You are much more likely to acquire such funding if you are presenting at the convention because you will be helping to build a good national reputation for your program.

Full details on APA's convention policies are also available here. Again, rules for APAGS submissions are the same as APA's except that Graduate Student Affiliates (APAGS Members) can chair their own APAGS sessions.

Steps for Submitting a Proposal:

1. Choose a topic that has broad appeal to all psychology graduate students, regardless of their area of specialization. Focus on timely and cutting-edge issues and present the most current information.
   
   
2. Develop and refine your ideas by talking to your colleagues and advisors about topics and the best format. (APAGS does not accept proposals for papers.) Ask reputable students and psychologists
   to present with you. Proposals with only one presenter are less likely to be accepted. Talk to the APAGS staff for more information on what topics are hot or timely.
   
   
3. Look for the APA Call for Programs supplement in the September issue of APA's Monitor on Psychology. Just about everything you need to know about the rules for participation and procedures for submitting proposals is there. Be sure to complete the appropriate cover sheet to submit with your proposal page. If your proposal is accepted, much of the information you provide on the cover sheet will appear verbatim in the Convention Program. Electronic submissions are preferred.
   
   
4. Review your proposal for clarity and polish. Incomplete and/or illegible submissions will be returned un-reviewed.
   
   
5. Proposals are evaluated on the following general criteria:
   
   • program supports APAGS general mission;
   
   
   • topic is a current issue for APAGS members;
   
   
   • program will draw sizeable and diverse audience;
   
   
   • presenters are experienced, credible and likely to be interesting, motivating, encouraging, informative, professional, and engaging;
   
   
   • quality;
   
   
   • APAGS member(s) included as presenters;
   
   
   • students are less likely to receive this information /training in other venues such as their own graduate school;
   
   
   • and program will fit with or complement other scheduled APAGS programs.
     
     
6. Proposals not submitted via email should be mailed to:
   APAGS
   Convention Proposal
   750 First Street, NE
   Washington, DC 20002-4242.
   If you choose to send your package over-night the phone number is (202) 336-6014.
   Material received after the close of business on November 14th will not be considered
   or returned.

What's Next?

• You will be notified that your submission has been received.
  
  
• The Convention Committee will review and evaluate all proposals and will meet in January to select programs for the 2004 Convention.
  
  
• Acceptance/rejection letters will be mailed in late February.
  
  
• Proposals may be accepted for regular or Suite Programming.
  
  
• Proposals may be conditionally accepted. (Conditions will be detailed in provisional acceptance letter).
  
  
• All communications, including letters, will only be sent to the listed program chair/co-chairs who will be expected to relay all information to other program participants.
  
  

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