Mind

Research Awards and Grants

Overview

Awards are granted to high-quality research or PhD theses that support our current research interests, namely:

Theoretical analysis of the meanings of words in terms of mental operations;
Empirical research based on the semantic analyses developed in Operational Semantics (see Giulio Benedetti, 2011, An Enigma in Language. The Meaning of the Fundamental Linguistic Elements. A Possible Explanation in Terms of Cognitive Functions: Operational Semantics, Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY) and Attentional Semantics (see Giorgio Marchetti, 2010, Consciousness, Attention and Meaning, Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY);
Empirical research based on the theory of consciousness put forward by Giorgio Marchetti (see:
    – Marchetti, 2018, “Consciousness: A unique way of processing information”, Cognitive Processing, 19, 435–464;
    – Marchetti, 2022, “The why of the phenomenal aspect of consciousness: Its main functions and the mechanisms underpinning it”, Frontiers in Psychology, 13:913309;
    – Marchetti, 2024, “The Self and Conscious Experience”, Frontiers in Psychology, 15:1340943).

Grants range from €500 to €1,000 per awarded work.
A maximum of two awards can be granted per year.

Eligibility Restrictions

Awards are granted only for:
a) Empirical research whose results have been published in peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals or edited volumes;
b) Theoretical studies published in peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals or edited volumes;
c) PhD theses specifically devoted to our research interests (funds are released only after the PhD degree is obtained).

Awards are granted only to private individuals—not to institutes, public or private companies, or societies.

How to Apply

a) Letter of Inquiry Stage

All applications begin with a letter of inquiry, which serves as a mini-proposal. It must include:

A curriculum vitae, including a description of the applicant’s scientific interests, aspirations, how they became familiar with our work, and why they are interested in our theories and research;
A short paper (max. 2,000 words) summarizing the applicant’s understanding of our theories and research. Critiques and suggested improvements are welcome;
A draft of the research project, describing a clearly defined thesis, its novelty, and a specific plan to demonstrate it.

The letter of inquiry will be reviewed by our research team. If the project aligns with our research interests, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Send all documentation to: info[at]mind-consciousness-language[dot]com

b) Full Proposal Stage

The full proposal must include a detailed description of:

The aim of the research;
The state of the art;
The novelty of the research;
Methodology, design, and analysis plan;
Expected results;
Limitations of the study;
Work schedule;
Bibliography.

The proposal will undergo a rigorous scientific peer review by two or more reviewers.
Reviewers will assess whether the proposal:

Addresses research questions or hypotheses consistent with our research interests;
Complements and extends existing work and theories;
Demonstrates high standards of evidence and methodological rigor appropriate to its goals.

Applicants receiving generally positive reviews will have an opportunity to respond in writing to reviewers’ comments and critiques. We do not expect applicants to agree with all reviewer concerns but to demonstrate thoughtful engagement and provide a reasoned, thorough response.

Proposals, reviews, and responses will then undergo further evaluation by our research team, which makes the final decision.

Funding is allocated shortly after the decision. Funds will be released only after:

The research has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal or edited volume, or
The PhD degree has been formally awarded.

Award recipients will be notified officially.

During the project’s realization phase, applicants are encouraged to share progress updates, difficulties encountered, and any theoretical or methodological concerns with our team.

Non-Discrimination Policy

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or national origin.

Granted Awards

The following applicants have been granted research awards:

2012 - Dr. Ahlam Mohammad Alharbi, Social Representations of ‘IAM’ in two Australian Newspapers before and after 9/11: A Tri-Semantic Framework, A Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Linguistics in the Department of Cultures, Languages, and Linguistics at Monash University, Faculty of Arts, Supervised by Prof. Farzad Sharifian (Main Supervisor) and Dr. Marisa Cordella (Associate Supervisors). Link to Prof. Farzad Sharifian's website

http://profiles.arts.monash.edu.au/farzad-sharifian/ Précis of Social Representations of ‘IAM’ in two Australian Newspapers before and after 9/11: A Tri-Semantic Framework