The Arc of Washington Trust Fund is a 50 + year old trust which provides funding to researchers in the field of intellectual and other developmental disabilities.  The Trust Fund is administered by a Board of Administrative Trustees, of which some members are appointed by the Board of the Arc of Washington State and others are elected by the Trust Fund Board from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Trust Fund also conducts a student stipend program, which continues each year.  The stipends, of up to $5,000 each, will be awarded in an initial installment of $800 in the summer of the award year and the balance in equal installments at the beginning of each academic session (semester, trimester or quarter) to upper division or graduate students in institutions of higher education in the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska or Idaho, who have a demonstrated interest in the field of intellectual or other developmental disabilities.  Funds will be released to the institutions for distribution to the students for payment of student tuition, books and general living expenses, provided the schools provide evidence that the students continue to be enrolled (except the summer installment when enrollment is not required).  The Trust Fund hopes that this will allow colleges and universities to attract and retain students interested in working in the field as researchers, teachers or practitioners.

Each applicant should have a particular career interest in work relating to intellectual or other developmental disabilities.  In addition to completing this application form, each applicant must submit a statement of his or her interest in the field of intellectual or other developmental disabilities, academic and other qualifications, achievements, and both immediate and long-term goals.  Letters of endorsement from no fewer than two faculty sponsors and official transcripts from the colleges or universities the applicant has attended must accompany each student's statement.  

Applications, along with all the other required documents and materials, must be postmarked no later than 12 Midnight in the locality where mailed on February 28, 2010. Extensions will not be granted.  Applicants will be notified of the Arc of Washington Trust Fund Board’s decision by April 30, 2010. Late applications, recommendations or transcripts will not be accepted.

For more information on the stipend program please contact Diana Stadden, Arc Trust Fund Administrative Assistant by calling (253) 576-6351 or by email at diana@arcwa.org.

2010 - 2011 Stipend Award Application: The 2010-2011 application for the Arc Trust Fund Stipend Award is posted here.