Bierman Autism Centers

Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship

Data-Informed Supervision

$2K Cash awards, multiple winners per round

Application window open Sept. 1-30

Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship program awards scholarships for rising BCBAs

The Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship supports future clinicians who are passionate about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), evidence-based care, and meaningful outcomes for children and families.

About this scholarship

Measurement doesn't stop at the client.

This round of the Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship invites applicants to look at supervision through a behavior-analytic lens: reflecting on how the same data-based principles that guide client care, including objective measurement and feedback loops, also guide how we coach, mentor, and grow the clinicians delivering that care.

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Data-informed thinking

Extends beyond client programming
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Feedback loops

Understanding performance improvement
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Honest self-assessment

Reflective on a real supervision experience
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Growth-oriented mindset

What "progress" means for clients and teams

The Big Idea

The same data. Two audiences.

Client Care Loop
OBSERVE MEASURE DECIDE ACT
DATA-BASED
DECISION MAKING
Supervision Loop
OBSERVE MEASURE COACH GROW

Hover or tap any stage to see how it plays out for a client, and for the clinician supervising their care.

The principles that guide individualized client care, including objective measurement, data-based decision making, and feedback loops, apply just as directly to how we supervise, coach, and develop the people delivering that care. Your essay should connect that mindset to a real or observed supervision experience, and reflect on what it changed about how you define progress.

Essay Prompt

Data-Informed Supervision

ABA emphasizes data-based decision making for clients, but effective supervision also relies on data for staff and systems. Your essay should address all three of the reflection points below.

  • 01 Describe a time when your supervisor, or you, used (or could have used) data to guide supervision practices or staff performance improvement.
  • 02 Explain the type of data, how it was analyzed, and what behavioral changes resulted.
  • 03 Reflect on how applying data to supervision changed your view of what "progress" means, for both clients and teams.
Suggested length1,000–1,500 words
File formatPDF or DOCX
Naming formatLastName_FirstName_Essay

Award & Eligibility

What you win, who can apply

$2K
Award
3
Recipients
100%
No fees to apply

Use of Funds

Tuition, certification fees, supervision, and exam fees. Paid directly to you. Winners are responsible for applicable taxes.

Eligibility

  • Have completed at least 8 graduate credits in an ABA master's program
  • Be in good academic standing (if applicable)
  • Submit an original essay response to the prompt
  • External applicants only — current Bierman employees are not eligible
  • All 50 U.S. states

Key Dates

Scholarship Timeline

Mark your calendar!

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September 1, 2026
Applications open
September 30, 2026
Applications close
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November 6, 2026
Winners announced

How to Apply

Four simple steps.

Submission Requirements

Get the format right

All essays are reviewed blind. Your cover page is the only place that should include your name.

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Essay file

Begin with a cover page that includes your name, school/program, and contact information. Everything after the cover page must contain no identifying information — no name, school, or details that could identify you.

LastName_FirstName_Essay.pdf
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Transcript file

Upload a copy showing at least 8 completed graduate credits in an ABA master's program. Unofficial transcripts and screenshots are acceptable.

LastName_FirstName_Transcript.pdf

Filename Helper

Get your filenames right the first time.

All essays are reviewed blind. Your cover page is the only place that should include your name.

Try it. We'll generate your filenames.

Type your name and we'll show you exactly what to save your essay and transcript as. The naming format is required for blind review.

💡 Use your legal name as it appears on your transcript.
ESSAY Smith_Jordan_Essay.pdf
TRANSCRIPT Smith_Jordan_Transcript.pdf
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Important: AI use policy

Submissions suspected of being written by AI will not be scored and will be immediately disqualified. The ideas and writing must be your own. Light editing support (grammar, spell check) is acceptable. AI-generated content is not.

How You Are Scored

100 points. Four criteria.

All essays are de-identified and scored against a published rubric. Each criterion is reviewed independently on a 0–25 scale, then totaled. There are no “right” answers.

1) Supervision Context & Specificity of Data Use (25 pts)

A clearly described supervision or staff scenario, specific about what was measured and why, with data use tied to supervision or staff performance rather than client outcomes alone.

3) Reflective Growth & Evolving Definition of “Progress” (25 pts)

A genuine reflection on how the experience reshaped the applicant’s view of progress, addressing both the client and the team or staff dimension.

2) Data Type, Analysis & Behavioral Outcomes (25 pts)

A specific data type and analysis method (for example, direct observation, performance scorecards, or IOA), with a clear connection between what the data showed and the behavioral changes that followed.

4) Writing Quality, Authenticity & Depth of Reflection (25 pts)

Clear, well-organized writing with an authentic personal voice, appropriate length (1,000–1,500 words), and self-aware reflection that goes beyond the obvious.

Submit Your Application

Ready to think bigger?

FAQs

Who can apply?

Applicants must have completed at least 8 graduate credits in an ABA master’s program. This scholarship is for external applicants only; current Bierman employees are not eligible.

 

Is it nationwide?

Yes, all 50 U.S. states. 


Do I need to be a BCBA already?

No. This scholarship is designed for rising clinicians at multiple stages.

 

Can I use AI tools to help edit my writing?

Light editing support is okay. The ideas and writing should be yours.

 

Will I receive feedback on my essay?

We may not be able to provide individual feedback due to volume.

 

How are winners selected?

This is a skill-based scholarship. The judging rubric will guide selection (e.g., originality, feasibility, potential impact, alignment with ethical care). View the judging rubric and Terms & Conditions.

 

What are the awards?

Each edition offers two $2,000 cash awards, plus mentorship touchpoints with Bierman clinical leaders (including 1:1 time with our CCO), community recognition, and shadow-day opportunities (or virtual options). The number of winners and any additional perks will be confirmed at launch.

 

Does it cost anything to apply?

No. No purchase necessary. There are no fees to apply.

 

Are scholarship funds paid to me or my school?

Disbursement details will be clarified at launch. Winners are responsible for applicable taxes.

 

Can Bierman employees apply?

The Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship is external-only. (If an internal track is added later, it will be announced separately.)

 

How often does this run?

There will be three scholarships per year. Dates for each scholarship will be released at the info session, and future windows will be posted here.

 

How will you use my information?

We’ll use your details to send application-open alerts and relevant scholarship updates (like info-session invites). Full privacy language is in the Terms & Conditions, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

 

Who do I contact with questions?

Email scholarshipinfo@biermanautism.com. We’ll respond during business hours.

Staff group photo at a conference

Compliance

The Bierman Rising Clinician Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship funded by corporate dollars. We follow non-discrimination principles. Full Terms & Conditions and the judging rubric will be published at launch. Geographic eligibility: All 50 US States. External applicants only; current Bierman employees are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Winners are responsible for applicable taxes. Void where prohibited.

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