1. Grants and awards
Grants and awards
All IELTS research activities are co-ordinated as part of a
comprehensive and coherent framework for research and validation of
the test. A major component of this framework is the IELTS
Joint-funded Research Program which is sponsored jointly by IELTS
Australia and British Council with support from University of
Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
The IELTS Master’s Award is awarded annually for the Master’s-level
dissertation or thesis in English which makes the most significant
contribution to the field of language testing.
The IELTS Partners can offer support for students and external
researchers who are engaging in IELTS-related research projects
e.g. access to materials and /or test data, where appropriate.
Any enquiries about this type of assistance should be addressed
to one of the partner organisations. Each request will be
considered individually and take into account confidentiality,
security and the amount of resources needed.
2. Call for research proposal
The IELTS partners are making available grant funding to
a total value of around £120,000 (AUS$225,000) for IELTS-related
research projects to be conducted during 2011
IELTS Joint-funded research program
2010/2011
Educational institutions and suitably qualified individuals are
invited to apply for funding to undertake applied research projects
in relation to the International English Language Testing System
(IELTS). Financial support for individual projects selected will in
principle be limited to a maximum of £15,000/AU$36,000 though this
upper limit may be reviewed in exceptional circumstances.
What areas of interest have been identified?
The IELTS Joint Research Committee is interested in supporting
external researchers to conduct quality research under the three
headings below. This year we would particularly encourage
applications to undertake research studies which fit within these
broad areas.
1. Test development and validation issues
• Studies investigating the IELTS General Training Reading test,
particularly stakeholder reactions to the revised section two
• Investigation of the cognitive processes of IELTS test
takers
• Investigation of the process of writing IELTS test items
• Investigation of Writing and Speaking features that distinguish
IELTS proficiency levels, including investigation of the impact of
different L1s on transition between proficiency levels
2. Issues relating to contexts of test use
• studies to establish appropriate IELTS score levels in specific
contexts (for access to a university department or vocational
training course)
• use of IELTS for professional registration purposes, or for
purposes of migration, citizenship or employment
• studies investigating the use of IELTS and IELTS scores in local
contexts, especially in-depth case studies focusing on individuals
or small groups
• Investigation of IELTS usefulness compared to other tests in
similar contexts
3. Issues of test impact
• Investigations of
the role of interactive communication in the IELTS speaking or
writing tests and the impact of this on candidates’ preparedness
for interactive communication in study or training contexts.
• Investigations of attitudes towards IELTS among users of test
scores including admissions and academic subject staff in receiving
institutions
• Investigations of perceptions towards IELTS among test takers,
teachers, learners and others engaged in preparing for IELTS
(particularly in countries where there has been little or no
previous IELTS related research)
• Test impact relating case studies in local contexts (e.g.,
teachers’ experiences of working with IELTS)
• Case studies on English language progression among overseas
students in undergraduate or post-graduate contexts
• Case studies on in-session English programmes at English–speaking
universities, particularly with consideration of the relationship
between hours of study and typical score gains
Consideration will also be given to other issues of current
interest in relation to IELTS.
Annual timetable

All applications received will be treated on a confidential
basis.
The decision of the review committee will be final. Proposals from
researchers and institutions with established links with IELTS are
welcomed.
Institutions/individuals are invited to submit a written
application (maximum of 10 pages, unbound) in accordance with the
format and content requirements (see 3. Guidelines for applying,
below).
2010/2011 Application form
Download
the Application form (MS Word, 282KB)
3. Guidelines for applying
IELTS Joint-funded research program
2010/2011
All IELTS-related research activities are co-ordinated as part of a
coherent framework for research and validation. Activities are
divided into areas which are the direct responsibility of Cambridge
ESOL, and work which is funded and supported by IELTS Australia and
the British Council.
As part of their ongoing commitment to IELTS-related validation and
research, IELTS Australia and the British Council are once again
making available funding for research projects in 2010/2011. For
several years now the two partners have issued a joint call for
research proposals that reflect current concerns and issues
relating to the IELTS test in the international context. Click here
for a full list of research studies which have received grant
funding since 1995. Such research makes an important contribution
to the monitoring and test development process for IELTS; it also
helps IELTS stakeholders (e.g. English language professionals and
teachers) to develop a greater understanding of the test.
All IELTS research is managed by a Joint Research Committee which
agrees research priorities and oversees the tendering process. In
determining the quality of the proposals and the research carried
out, the Committee may call on a panel of external reviewers. The
Committee also oversees the publication and/or presentation of
research findings.
What areas of interest have been identified?
This year the IELTS Joint Research Committee would like to
encourage applications for research studies which fit within these
three broad areas.
1.Test development and validation issues
• Studies investigating the IELTS General Training Reading test,
particularly stakeholder reactions to the revised section two
• Investigation of the cognitive processes of IELTS test
takers
• Investigation of the process of writing IELTS test items
• Investigation of L1 Writing and Speaking features that
distinguish IELTS proficiency levels
2. Issues relating to contexts of test use
• Studies to establish appropriate IELTS score levels in specific
contexts (for access to a university department or vocational
training course)
• Use of IELTS for professional registration purposes, or for
purposes of migration, citizenship or employment
• Studies investigating the use of IELTS and IELTS scores in local
contexts, especially in-depth case studies focusing on individuals
or small groups
• Investigation of IELTS usefulness compared to other tests in
similar contexts
3. Issues of test impact
• Investigations of the role of interactive communication in the
IELTS speaking or writing tests and the impact of this on
candidates’ preparedness for interactive communication in study or
training contexts
• Investigations of attitudes towards IELTS among users of test
scores including admissions and academic subject staff in receiving
institutions
• Investigations of perceptions towards IELTS among test takers,
teachers, learners and others engaged in preparing for IELTS
(particularly in countries where there has been little or no
previous IELTS related research)
• Test impact relating case studies in local contexts (e.g.,
teachers’ experiences of working with IELTS)
• Case studies on English language progression among overseas
students in undergraduate or post-graduate contexts
• Case studies on in-session English programmes at English–speaking
universities, particularly with consideration of the relationship
between hours of study and typical score gains
Consideration will also be given to other issues of current
interest in relation to IELTS.
Is access to IELTS test materials or score data
possible?
Access to IELTS test materials or score data is often not possible
for a variety of reasons, e.g. test security, data confidentiality.
However, a limited amount of retired material (e.g. writing test
prompts) may be made available for research purposes, and IELTS
Official Practice Materials, IELTS Scores Explained DVD and other
published practice tests can often be used as research tools.
Cambridge ESOL may be able to supply writing scripts and speaking
test recordings for the purposes of analysis, and a set of
instruments and procedures for investigating the impact of IELTS on
materials and on the teaching/learning context has also been
developed in recent years; these are available for use by
researchers following consultation with Cambridge ESOL (and subject
to an appropriate research agreement).
Who can submit proposals?
As part of the IELTS policy of stimulating test-related research
among its stakeholders, it is hoped that many of the research
proposals submitted this year will come from researchers and
organisations around the world who have a direct and ongoing
connection with IELTS, e.g. consultants, examiners and IELTS
Administration Centres. There is, however, no objection to
proposals being submitted by other
groups/centres/individuals.
Research Ethics and Confidentiality
All applications should follow necessary ethical clearance and
confidentiality codes as required by your university, organization
and/or region. Click here for a guide to ethics resources from the
UK, Europe and the world.
What is the level and duration of funding
available?
The maximum amount of funding which will be made available for any
one proposal is £15,000/AUS$36,000 (including institutional
overheads/taxes). This upper limit may be reviewed in exceptional
circumstances. The research study will need to be completed and a
full report submitted by the end of December 2011.
Please note that applications for extensive travel or large items
of equipment are not encouraged.
What is the procedure for submitting
proposals?
The Application
form (MS Word, 282KB), a sample
proposal format and guidelines for submission
(together with terms and conditions) are available on-line and
from IELTS Australia and the British Council - see
below for contact details. Proposals for funding should take the
form of a typed/word-processed document of no more than 10 pages,
and be accompanied by the completed application forms.
Who will evaluate the proposals?
All research proposals will be evaluated by the IELTS Joint
Research Committee comprising representatives of the three IELTS
partners as well as other academic research experts in the field of
applied linguistics and language testing.
What criteria will be used to evaluate
proposals?
The following factors will be taken into consideration when
evaluating proposals:
• Relevance and benefit of outcomes to IELTS
• Clarity and coherence of proposal’s rationale, objectives and
methodology
• Feasibility of outcomes, timelines and budget (including ability
to keep to deadlines)
• Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff
• Potential of the project to be reported in a form which would be
both useful to IELTS and of interest to an international
audience.
What is the timescale for the submission and evaluation of
proposals?
The following time scale will apply

Where and how to send application forms and
proposals?
Applicants should submit application forms and project proposals in
both electronic form and hard copy to either the British Council or
IDP: IELTS Australia who are equal funding bodies for the IELTS
Research Programme.
For further information:

4. Format guidelines
ANNEXE IV
Specifications for formatting your IELTS Research
Paper
Use word for Windows, version 6.
Use black and white for graphs, tables, etc; no colours
Take care with pie charts; the different shades of grey may not
reproduce so well in the final product.
Include abstract, authors’ biodata and contents page of your
report. The abstract is longer than one A4 size sheet of paper and
each author’s biodata should be within 150 words. Contents page
should also be included in the beginning of the report.
Document’s Layout Specifications IELTS Research Report
1 PAGE SET-UP IN MICROSOFT WORD
1.1 Margins
Inside 3 cm (to allow for gutter and binding)
Outside 2 cm
Top 3cm
Bottom 3.5cm
In Page Layout menu on the document, set it at Mirror
Margins so gutter space is in the middle of each
spread.
1.2 Header
First page of each report – IELTS logo and circles in header (First
page to start on RHP)
Alternating: Left hand page – authors’ names, left aligned.
Right hand page – Title of report, right aligned Arial 8 pt bold,
no initial capitals, line below from Border menu, 0.5 pt, header 2
cm from top
1.3Footer
Set up as alternating so page number always on outside edge, footer
2 cm from bottom Title of publication and page number within entire
publication (not just within that report) + IELTS website; Arial 8
pt bold, different alignment on left and right pages, Line above
from Border menu, 0.5 pt. Single paragraph space after footer
text.
2. HEADINGS
2.1 HEADING 1, 12 pt
Heading 1, Arial 12 point, bold, capitals, 10 pt space after
heading, 20 pt space before heading when in body of text. Use
numbering system 1, 2, 3, 4 etc and indent Heading by 1.5cm
2.1.1 Heading 2, 11 pt
Heading 2, Arial 11 point, bold, lower case, no initial
capitalisation 4 point space before heading when in body of text; 4
point space after heading
2.1.2 Heading 3, 10
pt
Heading 3, Arial 10, bold, lower case, no initial
capitalisation 4 point space before heading when in body of text; 4
point space after heading
2.1.3a Heading 4, 10 pt
Heading 4, 10 pt, not
bold, lower case, no initial capitalisation 4 point space before
heading when in body of text; 4 point space after heading
3. BODY TEXT
Body of text – Times New Roman, 11 point, left aligned.
Single space between sentences. Single spacing throughout body of
text.
8 point space between paragraphs
Bullet points: squares indented in text (1.5cm), text beginning at
2cm, next level of bullet point is a dash, 2 pt between bullets
after text. Numbering within body text: use 1, 2, 3 (indented at
1.5cm, text at 2cm) – not i), ii) iii) or a), b), c). Where
necessary to indent text (eg sample quote from student exam),
indent to 1.5cm, left aligned
3.1 Tables
Text of tables in Arial, 9pt (where feasible – may need to be in
8pt sometimes); Table title in Arial 10 pt, bold, italics;
Title below table. 20 pt space between table and body text
paragraphs. Tables left aligned and ensure that all are in black
and white (no colour).
3.2 Referencing
Harvard referencing system – no footnotes, brackets within
text.
References list – open punctuation (see sample below)
Harvard system – Title of book, journal, conference in italics /
Title of article in a journal or chapter in a book in plain text
(not italics) in single inverted commas / Title of conference paper
in plain text in single inverted commas / Title of unpublished
reports or thesis in plain text in single inverted commas
Skehan, P, 1998, A cognitive approach to language learning, Oxford
University Press, Oxford Lewkowicz, J, 1997, ‘The integrated
testing of a second language’ in Encyclopaedia of Language and
Education, Vol 7: Language Testing and Assessment, eds C Clapham
and D Corson, Kluwer, Dortrecht, The Netherlands, pp 121-130
Mangan, SS, 1988, ‘Grammar and the ACTFL oral proficiency
interview: discussion and data’, Modern Language Journal vol 72, pp
266-76
3.3 Style
Numbers within the text to be written in words up to nine, then
numerically from 10 onwards.
Numerical – single figure thousands no comma 2000 not 2,000. Then
10,000 onwards Percentage symbol to be used %, rather than spelling
out per cent.
Open punctuation: eg, Dr, Not e.g., Dr., (no full stops)
Australian-style spelling (eg finalise, not finalize)
3.4 Title page of each report
Report title in 18 point bold and 10 pt space afterwards
Author in 12 point bold and 10 pt space afterwards
Grant awarded info and two sentence overview in 12 point Arial (not
bold), 10 pt space
Abstract title in Heading 1
Abstract text in body text
3.5 Content page
Contents title in Heading 1
Text in 10 point Arial, with 4 point space after each line
Text bold for top level headings (eg 1, 2, 3) then normal text for
others (1.1, 2.2)
Where there is only one author, biodata to fit beneath Contents on
the same page. If there are two authors or more, biodata to be on a
separate page.
3.6 Pagination
Tables – where possible, ensure text and tables take up a full page
(keep short pages to a minimum by moving text or tables if
appropriate).
Appendices – where possible, make appendices fit
neatly onto pages, and use smaller type if necessary to reduce page
numbers.
5. IELTS Masters Award
As part of the tenth anniversary of IELTS in 1999, the IELTS
partners - British Council, IELTS Australia and University of
Cambridge ESOL Examinations - established an annual award of £1,000
for the Master's-level dissertation or thesis in English which
makes the most significant contribution to the field of language
testing.
Submission and evaluation procedures
Each year the IELTS Research Committee, comprising members of the
three partner organisations, reviews submissions for the award and
shortlists potential winners. Submissions must be for a
dissertation/thesis written in partial or total fulfilment of the
requirements for a Master's degree or its equivalent, and must be
supported by a letter from the applicant's academic supervisor. The
work should be language testing focused but need not be
IELTS-related.
A full copy of all shortlisted dissertations/theses is then
requested and a further reference may be sought. Shortlisted items
are reviewed and evaluated by the IELTS Research Committee
according to a set timetable and established criteria. The
Committee's decision is final.
Annual timetable
* June: Deadline for submission of dissertation/thesis extracts and
reference to Cambridge ESOL
* August: Deadline for submission of full copy of short listed
dissertations/theses
* October/November: Meeting of IELTS Research Committee
* November/December: Announcement of award
The award is normally presented in public at a major language
testing event during the following year, e.g. at the annual
Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC), and the IELTS partners
sponsor the award winner's attendance at this event for this
purpose.
Application forms and further information
Please note that submission details for the IELTS Master's Award
may change from year to year. It is therefore important that the
most current procedures are consulted. Click here to download the
latest IELTS Master's Award Submission Guidelines

6. IELTS Masters Award submission and evaluation
Submission and evaluation
procedures
Dissertations will only be considered eligible if they were
submitted and approved by your university in 2009. Dissertations
completed in 2010 will not be considered eligible for the 2010
award but may be submitted the following year.
Submissions should be for dissertations written in partial or total
fulfilment of the requirements for a Masters degree or its
equivalent. The dissertation should be language testing focused but
need not be IELTS-related.
The full dissertation abstract, accompanied by both the
Introduction and Method chapters together with a reference from
your supervisor, should be submitted in both electronic form and
hard copy to:
Dr Sacha DeVelle
Research and Validation
Unit
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom
DeVelle.S@cambridgeesol.org
The IELTS Research Committee will review the submissions and
shortlist potential award winners. For all shortlisted submissions
a full copy of the dissertation will be requested and a further
reference may be sought.
Shortlisted dissertations will be reviewed and evaluated by the
IELTS Research Committee according to the following criteria:
• Rationale for the research
• Contextualisation within the literature
• Feasibility of outcomes
• Design of research question(s)
• Choice and use of methodology
• Interpretation and conclusions
• Quality of presentation
• Use of references
• Contribution to the field
• Potential for future publication
The Committee's decision is final.
Timetable
The following timetable will apply in 2010:
| 30 June |
Deadline for submission of dissertation extracts
and supervisor's reference to the University of Cambridge ESOL
Examinations |
| 15
July |
Deadline
for submission of dissertation extracts and supervisor's reference
to the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations |
| 31
August |
Deadline
for submission of full copies of shortlisted dissertations (and
further references if required) |
| October
/ November |
Meeting
of IELTS Research Committee |
| November
/ December |
Announcement of Award |