Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI), an internationally recognized non-profit center specializing in stuttering research and treatment innovations (www.stuttering.org ), is introducing a new scholarship program to make effective stuttering therapyavailable for more people who have this disabling speech condition.

An estimated 66 million people stutter worldwide, with three million living in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.  The condition can impair social growth, hinder education and career aspirations, and produce life-long emotional scars. HCRI’s research has shown that stuttering is a physically based disorder. It is not caused by underlying personality deficiencies, persistent anxieties or mental dysfunctions.

HCRI’s new scholarship program is designed to broaden accessibility of advanced stuttering treatment by offsetting the cost of tuition to attend the Institute’s 12-day intensive therapy program. 

“We are now able to offer scholarships thanks to the generosity of past clients who wanted to give the gift of fluency to others because our stuttering therapy has made such a remarkable difference in their lives,” said HCRI Founder and President Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D.

Scholarships will be awarded according to need and will range from $500 to full tuition.  The cost of HCRI stuttering treatment is $4,500, which is priced to meet the Institute’s actual costs of research and therapy delivery.

HCRI’s stuttering treatment program, Hollins Fluency Program: Advanced Speech Reconstruction for Stuttering , helps people who stutter learn how to replace faulty muscle contractions that cause stuttering with new muscle behaviors that generate fluent speech.  By reconstructing muscle actions that drive movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, vocal folds, and breathing mechanisms, individuals whostutter acquire the ability to speak fluently for the rest of their lives.

According to the Institute’s data, 93% of HCRI clients master fluent speech by the end of therapy.  Since 1972, Roanoke, Virginia based HCRI has treated more than 5,600 people who stutter, ranging in age from 11 to 73 years of age.

To apply for a scholarship, persons must first complete an application to attend one of HCRI’s 17 annual therapy programs. A program application is available online at www.stuttering.org or by calling 540-265-5650.  Then, individuals may request consideration for a scholarship and will be sent a form to complete.  Scholarship requests are currently being accepted for HCRI’s fall and winter therapy programs.  Awards will be selective and determined according to household income, number of dependents, and other financial factors.

“With our new scholarship program, we will be able to treat a greater number of people who otherwise could not afford to come for treatment. We encourage anyone who stutters to apply,” Dr. Webster emphasized. For more information about HCRI’s stuttering treatment and scholarship awards, visit http://www.stuttering.org or call the Institute at 540-265-5650.

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute (www.stuttering.org ), founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., has grown into a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering.  More than 5,600 people from 23 countries have come to HCRI for stuttering therapy. Clients include John Stossel of ABC TV’s 20/20 program; Arthur Blank, cofounder of Home Depot; and Annie Glenn, wife of senator and astronaut John Glenn.

HCRI is located at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019. Contact HCRI at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 540-265-5650. For video speech samples and more information, visit www.stuttering.org .