Awards and Scholarships

The Department of Psychology sponsors several undergraduate awards, and scholarships are also available through the College of Arts and Sciences and the University.

Ost Research Award

Each spring, the Department of Psychology hosts the John W. P. Ost Undergraduate Research Competition to honor the memory of Professor John Ost. Dr. Ost served as department chair from 1973-1977 and continued as an active faculty member until his passing in 1988. The competition commemorates his dedication to undergraduate research training.

At the Ost Competition, students present a poster representing research they’ve conducted with a faculty mentor. The competition is public and is attended by faculty and other students. A panel of faculty judges selects the winner(s). All students conducting research with a faculty member are highly encouraged to participate.

This competition is an opportunity for students to consolidate material learned from their classroom and research experiences, receive useful feedback, and begin building a vitae. Win or lose, practice in presenting research is one of the most valuable experiences a student can gain as a beginning researcher.

Eligibility and Prizes

Eligible presenters are undergraduates who are working on research under the supervision of a faculty member with a primary or secondary appointment in Psychology. Psychology majors conducting behavioral research with faculty outside of the Department of Psychology may also participate. Former UAB Psychology undergraduate students may participate within 10 months after their graduation.

The Ost Award is given to the student(s) whose research poster demonstrates exceptional scientific rigor, clarity of communication, and scholarly contribution. Award recipients receive a scholarship, and their names are featured on the Psychology Department’s website in perpetuity (see below). 

Passey Prize/UAB Psychology Department Achievement Award

The Passey Prize for the Outstanding Student in Psychology at UAB is awarded to the student judged to have shown the best overall level of accomplishment in psychology — not just in terms of grades, but also in terms of participation in other opportunities offered by the department, especially research. The Passey Prize includes a cash award.

The UAB Psychology Department Achievement Award is awarded to the psychology major judged to have shown the most outstanding achievement during his or her years in college. This award emphasizes academic performance and accomplishments, but it also considers participation and leadership in department and university activities, service to the community, and hardships or adverse life situations that the student has overcome.

Winners of these awards are selected by a committee. In any given year, the committee may decline to name a winner of either award; give both awards to the same individual; or name more than one winner of either award.

Travel Scholarship

To encourage and reward our undergraduate students who are active in research, the UAB Department of Psychology offers a $300 travel scholarship to undergraduate students who attend national or international psychology conferences to present their research. Presentations at undergraduate research conferences and state research conferences are not eligible. Students are limited to receiving one travel scholarship per academic year.

Eligibility

• You must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing.
• You must be a psychology major.
• You must conduct research in the lab of a primary Department of Psychology faculty member or conduct psychology-related research in the lab of a faculty member in another department.
• You should present your work as a poster at the Ost Research Competition in April (encouraged, but not required.)

UAB & College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

The university and UAB's College of Arts and Sciences offer many scholarships to incoming and current students. You can explore these options and apply through the UAB BSMART scholarship system.