Stephan D. Weiss Ph.D. Mental Health Fund for
Higher Education
American College Health Foundation
https://www.acha.org/ACHF
WRITING PRIZE GUIDELINES

Fund Objective:
The American College Health Foundation’s Stephan D. Weiss Ph.D. Mental Health Fund for Higher Education was established in December 2010, to support efforts to promote and improve the quality of mental health care to college students. The fund seeks to encourage the development of creative initiatives that will enhance mental health service delivery to students. Support from the fund can be directed to health care professionals working in university and college health service programs or to graduate students engaged in graduate level studies who plan to work in this field. 

The Weiss Writing Prize will be awarded to the lead author of a pivotal publication in college mental health. The winning article should demonstrate a successful student retention program for those with mental health issues. The program will provide creative, innovative solutions that could be implemented on other campuses.  Preference will be given to articles published in the Journal of American College Health (JACH).

Only articles published, or have been accepted for publication, from previous three calendar years will be accepted. Articles must be published in the Journal of American College Health or other refereed journals. If accepted for publication, please include a copy of the acceptance letter. Only the lead author is eligible to win the writing prize (Co-authors may be listed in publicity pertaining to the prize but are not eligible for the cash award.) 

Eligibility Requirements:	
Only American College Health Association Institutional or Individual Members are eligible to apply. An ACHA Membership Number must be included on the application form. At least one person signing the application must be an ACHA member or RMI.

Prize Application Procedure: 
1.	Applications and a copy of the article may be submitted electronically, or hard copies can be mailed to the address listed below.
•	Electronic submissions must be in a pdf file format only.
•	If unable to submit electronically, hard copies will be accepted. Submit five (5) copies plus the application form. Hard copies and applications must be postmarked on or before the deadline date. No Exceptions. 
•	If the article has been accepted for publication but not yet published, a copy of the acceptance letter must accompany the application.
2.	The Weiss Writing Prize Application Form Cover Sheet must be signed by the Lead Author and include the author’s ACHA membership number or the ACHA membership number of the author’s Institution or sponsoring organization.

Application Review/Award Process:
Each application will be reviewed for completeness and for its relevance to the Fund objective.  
Award decisions will be made by the American College Health Foundation Board of Directors.

Application Timeline:
The deadline for applications is February 3, 2025. All applications must be received by the deadline date. Recipient(s) will be announced at the 2025 ACHA Annual Meeting scheduled for May 27-May 31, 2025, in New Orleans, LA.

Amount of Prize:  $1,500

Guidelines for Winning Article Submissions:

Definition of Problem 

•	Relevance: significance to current mental health issues in higher education                                                           
•	Originality: creative approach to dealing with students in mental distress
•	Simplicity: explanation of topic under investigation is readily understandable.

Theoretical Framework

•	Relevance: suitable theory(ies) applicable to identified topic of investigation 
•	Applicability: concepts are suitably integrated in theory applied to problem 
•	Rationale: logical explanation for application of theoretical framework.

Documentation

•	Research: relevant literature used to support theory and results of publication 
•	Comprehensiveness: breadth of background knowledge applied to problem
•	Understandable: documentation is readily understood by the reader.

Measurement

•	Statistics: appropriate selection and application of statistical measures
•	Design: framework of research measures is appropriate to topic of study
•	Simplicity: design and measures can be readily duplicated by other researchers.

Discussion

•	Relevance of Outcome: suitable explanation/interpretation of results
•	Understandable: easily comprehended explanation of conclusion(s)
•	Comprehensive: discussion is thorough and supported by results of study.

NOTE

PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION ON PAGE THREE, WHICH FOLLOWS:

Stephan D. Weiss Ph.D. Mental Health Fund for
Higher Education
2025 WRITING PRIZE APPLICATION FORM COVER SHEET

Title of Article:

	
Article Publish Date:
	
Lead Author Information:

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________

ACHA Membership #: ________________________________________________________________________  

Position title: ___________________________________________________________________________

College/University:  ____________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:  ______________________________________________________________________

E-Mail Address:   ________________________________________________________________________
	
Student Health Center Authorizing Agent or Sponsor:
	
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________________________________________
College/University:  ______________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ______________________________________________________________________
 
E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Lead Author
I certify that the above information is correct.

SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE: __________________
	
Supervisor or other Authorizing Agent:
I certify that the above information is correct.

SIGNATURE (in ink)_____________________________________ DATE: _________________

Please email completed fund application form to: achf@acha.org
Or mail to: 	American College Health Foundation
		8455 Colesville Road, Suite 740
		Silver Spring, MD 20910