Grant opportunity for dissertation research

American Psychological Association
Division of Psychotherapy (Division 29)

Diversity Research Grant for Pre-Doctoral Candidates

The Diversity Research Grant for pre-doctoral candidates is established to foster the promotion of diversity within Division 29 and within the profession of psychotherapy. 

The Division may award annually a $2,000 Diversity Research Grant to a pre-doctoral candidate (enrolled in a clinical or counseling psychology doctoral program) who is currently conducting research that promotes diversity, as outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA).  According to the APA, diversity is defined as individual and role differences, including those based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.

The Diversity Research Grant is expected to be used to support the completion of a pre-doctoral candidate’s dissertation work. The grant may be used to fund: (1) supplies used to conduct the research; (2) training needed for completion of the research; and/or (3) travel to present the research (such as at a professional conference). The applicant must be a student member of Division 29 or commit to becoming a student member if the award is made.  The recipient of the grant will be expected to present his or her research results in a scholarly forum (e.g., presentation at an APA Annual Convention, the Division 29 Journal, Psychotherapy, or other refereed professional journal) and acknowledge the award.

One annual grant of $2,000 will be paid in one lump sum to the researcher, to his or her university’s grants and contracts office, or to an incorporated company. Individuals who receive the funds could incur tax liabilities.  All grant recipients will be required to complete an IRS form W-9 before funds are issued.

A complete application must be submitted by email to both Diversity Domain Representatives:

Beverly Greene, PhD (bgreene203@aol.com) and Jairo N. Fuertes, PhD (Jfuertes@adelphi.edu)

by midnight, May 1, 2015.  Incomplete or late application packets will not be considered.

The application must include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing how the applicant’s work embodies the Division’s interest in promoting diversity in the profession of psychotherapy and how the funding will be used to support the applicant’s dissertation work;
• A 1-page document outlining a detailed budget;
• A 5-10 page research proposal (alternatively, a Dissertation Proposal may be submitted, preferably less than 30 pages not including references or appendices);
• 1 letter from the applicant’s dissertation advisor or director of clinical training certifying that the applicant is currently in the process of completing research for the dissertation.

Once a complete application has been received (on or before the deadline), selections will be made using the following criteria:

• Consistency with the Diversity Research Grant's stated purposes;
• Clarity of the written proposal;
• Scientific quality and feasibility of the proposed research project;
• Budgetary needs for data collection and completion and presentation of the project;
• Potential for new and valuable contributions to the field of psychotherapy; and
• Potential for final publication or likelihood of furthering successful research in topic area.

Additional Information

• After the project is complete, a full accounting of the project’s income and expenses must be submitted within six months of completion.
• Grant funds that are not spent on the project within two years must be returned.
• When the resulting research is published, the grant must be acknowledged.
• All individuals who directly receive funds from the division will be required to complete an IRS w-9 form prior to the release of funds, and will be sent a 1099 after the end of the fiscal year (December 31^st).