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Grants for conference speakers

Understood Conference Speaker Award

Understood.org offers grants and recognition to conference speakers who support our mission of helping people with learning and thinking differences thrive. The Understood Conference Speaker Award is aimed at fostering awareness and reducing stigma. We want experts in the field of learning and thinking differences to be able to share their knowledge with individuals, families, educators, and other professionals.

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Past award winners

  • Roberto Olivardia, PhD

    Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In his private practice, he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder. He presented “We Got the Beat: The Impact of Music on ADHD” at the Annual International Conference on ADHD in November 2024.

  • Tyra Bergstrom

    Tyra Bergstrom is a member of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health team at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Understood’s partner in adapting the lab’s single-session interventions for women with learning and thinking differences. She presented “Empowered to Address My Needs and Not Be Met With Shame” at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference in November 2024.

  • Elizabeth Hamblet, MAT, MSEd

    Elizabeth Hamblet is college learning disabilities specialist and the author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students With Disabilities. She works with students on time management, reading strategies, and more. She presented “Make Your Reports More Helpful for Your College-Bound Students” at the Annual International Conference on ADHD in November 2024.

  • Karen Wilson, PhD

    Karen Wilson, director of West LA Neuropsychology, is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in the assessment of children and adolescents with learning and thinking differences. She presented “Parenting Children With Learning Challenges: Strategies to Support Mental Health and Thrive Amidst Increasing Stressors” at the Black Education Expo in October 2024.

  • Christina Cipriano, PhD, EdM

    Christina Cipriano is an applied developmental and educational psychologist as well as an associate professor at the Yale Child Study Center and director of the Education Collaboratory at Yale University. She presented “Promoting Inclusive Mindsets and Practices With Social and Emotional Learning” at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in April 2024.

Funding details

  • Each awardee is eligible for up to $2,500 in funding.

  • This grant will provide unrestricted funds for costs associated with sharing your expertise as a presenter, such as travel reimbursement.

  • Understood will also provide practical support, such as identifying free resources you can share in alignment with your presentation.

  • The award is contingent upon the applicant being accepted as a conference speaker.

  • We will award grants to up to 10 speakers in 2024.

Eligibility

  • Anyone who is dedicated to the field of learning and thinking differences can apply.

  • We prioritize active Understood Experts. 

  • Applicants’ presentation topics must align with Understood’s mission, and/or applicants must have a connection to Understood. 

  • The award is contingent upon the applicant being accepted as a conference speaker.

  • We prioritize presentations that are focused on approaches grounded in evidence, poised for scalable impact, accessible, and affordable. 

  • Applicants must demonstrate expertise and experience in the subject matter they propose to present on, in the field of neurodiversity and learning and thinking differences. This includes a review of their professional background, credentials, previous speaking engagements, previous media or interviews, research papers, press articles, publications, and any other relevant accomplishments.

  • Applicants must demonstrate an equitable perspective in the content they propose for their presentations. We will prioritize presentations that focus on reaching underserved and marginalized populations. 

  • Applicants must demonstrate significant leadership/thought leadership experience in the field of learning and thinking differences. This can be through board membership, publications, consultation, or organizational leadership. It could also be through current impact in the field, such as making a difference in your classroom or workplace.  

  • Potential applicants who believe their work meets most of this criteria are welcome to apply.

Submission details

  • We accept applications on a rolling basis. 

  • Please allow us up to one month to review your application.

  • Those who apply and are not accepted are welcome to reapply in the following rounds.

Accessing the application

  • For more details and to apply, use this link: Understood Conference Speaker Award Application

  • Please note: The application form doesn’t let you save and come back. We encourage you to draft your responses in advance so you can copy and paste them into the form. Or you can use the attachment sections.

Questions about the award

If you have questions about the application or grant award, reach out to Chelsea Roldan, Expert Network Senior Manager (croldan@understood.org)

Understood Conference Speaker Award Review Panel

  • Sarah Greenberg, MA, MEd

    Vice President, Expertise and Strategic Design, Understood

    is a prevention specialist who leads Understood’s network of 80-plus subject matter experts. She has worked with thousands of adults and families to improve their well-being.

    View bio

  • Shivohn N. García, PhD

    Director, Equity Research and Insights, Understood

    is an experienced educator who leads Understood’s impact and efficacy work, including the implementation of culturally responsive practices.

    View bio

  • Andrew Kahn, PsyD

    Associate Director, Expertise and Strategic Design, Understood

    is a licensed psychologist who focuses on ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, behavior challenges, executive function, and emotional regulation.

    View bio

  • Afrika Afeni Mills, MEd

    Education Consultant; Founder and CEO of Continental Drift LLC

    is an author, education consultant, adjunct professor, and CEO of Continental Drift, LLC. She has been a teacher, instructional coach, teacher developer, and administrator.

    View bio

  • Bob Cunningham, EdM

    Executive Director, Learning and Development, Understood

    has been part of Understood since its founding. He’s also been the chief administrator for several independent schools and a school leader in general and special education.

    View bio