Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Grant Application Information

Background Information
To encourage internal audit studies by doctoral candidates, The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF) supports an ongoing Doctoral Dissertation Grant Program. This program provides funds to selected doctoral candidates interested in the field of internal auditing.

In 1990, the doctoral dissertation grant was named in the memory of a leader in internal audit research and education, Michael J. Barrett, DBA, CIA. Dr. Barrett served on the Board of Research Advisors for The IIA Research Foundation and in many other IIA leadership positions. In 1990, he was awarded The IIA's Bradford Cadmus Memorial Award. Dr. Barrett was chairman and professor of the Accounting Department at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He was instrumental in establishing internal audit courses at the universities where he served, and at many other colleges and universities. The IIARF offers the Michael J. Barrett Grant as an incentive to future professors who will continue research and education in our profession.

Topics of Interest
Suggestions for topics may be found on The IIA Research Foundation Web site. Each year, The Foundation announces new priorities and topics for future research opportunities. While these priorities indicate specific interest in possible research projects, doctoral candidates should not feel limited to the priorities. Grant applicants should submit dissertation subjects related to internal auditing to be considered for the grant program. See also Research Opportunities in Internal Auditing for more topics.

Procedures
Any doctoral candidate pursuing an advanced post-graduate degree (such as Ph.D. or DBA) in auditing, accounting, or business from an accredited educational institution is eligible to apply for the doctoral dissertation grant. Applicants should submit their dissertation proposals along with a detailed cover letter to The IIA Research Foundation. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation by professors directly supervising or connected with their dissertation efforts.

Items To Be Included in Proposal

Note: Proposals should not exceed six pages, exclusive of exhibits, appendices, or attachments.

Cover Letter
An accompanying cover letter written by the applicant should address the following:

• The degree you will receive (such as a Ph.D. or DBA).
• The major and minor fields covered in your doctoral program.
• Full name of the degree-granting institution where you will complete your dissertation and its business school accreditation.
• The names and positions of the two professors who will send letters of recommendation to The IIARF and are directly involved in the supervision of your dissertation.
• Your schedule for completion of course work, qualifying examinations, and beginning of the dissertation research.
• Future professional or career plans after completing the doctoral program.
• A one-half page summary (abstract) of the dissertation.

Eligibility
To be eligible for The IIARF doctoral dissertation grant, a candidate should:

• Intend to teach in the field of auditing for at least two years.
• Be enrolled in a school which offers a doctoral degree in business with a concentration in accounting or auditing.
• Have completed or be within one year of completion of the necessary course requirements and pre-dissertation examinations required by the degree-granting institution, and be at the dissertation stage at the time of award. If all requirements have not been completed, you should include in your cover letter a schedule for completion of the remaining requirements.
• Intend to devote full time to the dissertation during the term of the award. If less than full-time work is expected, explain the reason(s) in your cover letter. Justified reasons will not disqualify the candidate.

Selection of Grant Recipients
Screening and selection of candidates is the responsibility of a review committee of The IIARF's Committee of Research and Education Advisors (CREA). This committee includes both academicians and practitioners actively involved in the profession of internal auditing.

Selection Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on:

1. Relevance of the topic to internal auditing.
2. Soundness of methodology.
3. Coherent organization and clarity of presentation.
4. Quality of data (where applicable).

List of grant recipients and dissertations

Amount of Grants
Individual grants vary from $1,000 to $10,000. The size of the grant is based on the amount considered necessary to allow the candidate to complete the dissertation within one year.

Timing of Payments
The total grant is paid over a period generally not exceeding one year. Payments begin about the time the candidate begins the dissertation research. The grant is usually divided into three installments corresponding with the submission of dissertation progress reports.

Deadlines and Announcement Dates
Grant proposals may be submitted at any time during the year. Proposals are evaluated by the CREA review committee and worthy recipients selected; recipients are contacted immediately after the selection is made by CREA. More than one award may be presented each year. There is no obligation to make the award in any year.

Submit applications to:
Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Grant
E-mail: research@theiia.org