Recently, the American Polygraph Association website announced the creation of the Dr. William J. Yankee Memorial Scholarship"in honor of the late Dr. Yankee's commitment and lasting contribution to examiner education."

One of Dr. Yankee’s noteworthy achievements while he served as the director of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute was his establishment of a scientific review board to audit the practices and curriculum of the Institute.  This scientific board concluded that polygraph screening has no scientific validity.  Unfortunately, after Dr. Yankee retired, his successor Michael H. Capps disbanded the scientific board.

Under this scholarship, the APA will provide one candidate with a full year's tuition to polygraph school (up to $5,000).

Minimum qualifications include:
-  A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
-  Desire to attend (or acceptance at) an ABA approved polygraph school (the criteria are unclear here).
-  Eligibility for APA membership upon graduation.
-  An essay of up to 1000 words on detection of deception, interviewing, interrogation, or related fields. 

Criteria for selection of the single candidate will be academic success and a demonstrated interest in the field of polygraphy.  

Polygraphers frequently criticize those who question the soundness of their "profession," arguing that the critics "don't understand" because they have never been trained as polygraphers.  Although their reasoning is fallacious, this seems like a golden opportunity for one of the anonymous polygraph critics who read this board to get some free polygraph training on the APA's dime.

Start getting ready, because applications are due June 1st!