Whether you're pursuing a PhD in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), doctoral grants for psychology can make your graduate studies more affordable. Doctoral psychology programs either take a research-based or practice-oriented approach to studying human behavior and mental processes. There are currently 379 doctoral programs accredited by the APA in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Psychology is a highly diverse field offering doctorates in every discipline from clinical and social to industrial/organizational and developmental psychology. Now's a great time to become a psychologist since the BLS predicts faster than average job growth by 19 percent through 2024. Financially enduring the long educational journey to licensure can be challenging though.
Below are 20 great PhD grants for psychology students to build their professional future.
1. AAFP Dissertation Grants
Deadline: March 31st
Through the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP), $5,000 Dissertation Grants are awarded each year to PhD students pursuing a forensic psychology degree at an accredited U.S. graduate school. Eligible doctoral candidates must be in the dissertation writing stage and devoting their research to any area of applied law/psychology. For consideration, applications must include a current curriculum vitae, one letter of support, and a brief personal statement outlining their proposed dissertation.
Contact
AAFP Dissertation Grants
1200 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 229-2422
albosspsyd@comcast.net
Grant Link
2. APS Student Grant Competition
Deadline: November 17th
Valued at $500 apiece, the Association for Psychological Science (APS) has an annual Student Grant Competition that provides three awards to master's or doctoral students pursuing research in psychological science. Qualified applicants must be current APS Student Affiliates, attend an accredited U.S. institution, and write a maximum 3,000-word project proposal. Studies in clinical, cognitive, developmental, experimental, I/O, neuroscience, personality, quantitative, and social psychology are welcome.
Contact
APS Student Grant Competition
1133 15th Street NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 293-9300
apssc.graduate@psychologicalscience.org
Grant Link
3. Arc of Washington Trust Research Grants
Deadline: August 15th
Since 1950, the Arch of Washington Trust has presented Research Grants for $10,000 to PhD students who are conducting psychological research on the causes, prevention, and effective treatment of intellectual disabilities in people of all ages. Grantees must attend an accredited college in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, or British Columbia to quality. Interested doctoral candidates must write a 500-word abstract, detailed project proposal, budget plan, timeline, and curriculum vitae.
Contact
Arc of Washington Trust Research Grants
2638 State Avenue NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 357-5596 ext. 107
Diana@arcwa.org
Grant Link
4. Basic Psychological Science Research Grant
Deadline: December 1st
The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) created the Basic Psychological Science Research Grant to award $1,000 to master's or PhD students in psychology and neuroscience who are beginning research specifically related to diversity. Eligible recipients must be APAGS members, be enrolled at least half-time, attend a regionally accredited university, have good standing, submit an abbreviated research proposal, and attach one letter of faculty recommendation.
Contact
Basic Psychological Science Research Grant
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(800) 374-2721
apags@apa.org
Grant Link
5. Clara Mayo Grants Program
Deadline: May 15th and October 15th
Twice each year, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) hosts the Clara Mayo Grants Program, which could be used by PhD students to fund pre-dissertation research that examines aspects of sexism, racism, or prejudice. For these $1,000 doctoral grants for psychology, applicants must be SPSSI members, be matriculated full-time at an accredited U.S. university, have IRB approval, write a 1,000-word project description, and show relevance to Clara Mayo's goals.
Contact
Clara Mayo Grants Program
208 I Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 675-6956
abalkissoon@spssi.org
Grant Link
6. Eileen Coly Student Research Grant
Deadline: Varies
Starting in 2016 after eight years of suspension, the Eileen Coly Student Research Grant will again be offered by the Parapsychology Foundation to gift $1,000 to doctoral scholars conducting original research that furthers knowledge in parapsychology. Eligible PhDs must be affiliated with an accredited university, exhibit research competence, have sincere interest in the paranormal, submit two letters of recommendation, and write a maximum 1,500-word essay titled "The Challenge of Parapsychology."
Contact
Eileen Coly Student Research Grant
P.O. Box 1562
New York, NY 10021
(212) 628-1559
office@parapsychology.org
Grant Link
7. Fahs-Beck Doctoral Dissertation Grants
Deadline: April 1st and November 1st
Sponsored by the New York Community Trust, the Fahs-Beck Doctoral Dissertation Grants can be used as $5,000 PhD grants for psychology students in the United States and Canada who are studying problems in the well-being of children, adults, couples, families, or whole communities. Qualified applicants enrolled in accredited doctoral programs will be judged based on the merit, likelihood of success, and expected impact of their proposed dissertation research.
Contact
Fahs-Beck Doctoral Dissertation Grants
909 Third Avenue 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 686-0010
lauren.weinberger@fahsbeckfund.org
Grant Link
8. James L. Outtz Grant for Student Research
Deadline: June 30th
The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) awards the James L. Outtz Grant for Student Research annually to give $3,000 to outstanding graduate students beginning master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research in I/O psychology. Proposals should be for empirical research in areas like employee relations, human factors, job analysis, equal opportunity hiring, organizational behavior, etc. Principal investigators must be SIOP Student Affiliates attending an accredited U.S. institution.
Contact
James L. Outtz Grant for Student Research
440 East Poe Road Suite 101
Bowling Green, OH 43402
(419) 353-0032
siopfoundation@siop.org
Grant Link
9. Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Grant
Deadline: August 15th
In honor of an 18-year-old homicide victim in Austin who intended to study psychology, the Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Grant is presented for $5,000 by the Texas Psychological Association (TPA) annually. To qualify, candidates must be currently enrolled master's or PhD psychology students in good standing at an accredited U.S. university. Grant money must fund research focusing on the potential causes and/or prevention of violence against women.
Contact
Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Grant
1464 East Whitestone Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 528-8400
admin@texaspsyc.org
Grant Link
10. Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Grant
Deadline: October 1st
Sponsored by the APA Division 54: Society of Pediatric Psychology, the Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Grant provides up to $5,000 for doctoral students engaging in original research on the psychological aspects of the prevention of youth injuries through accidents, violence, abuse, or suicide. Qualified recipients must be committed to child psychology, show research competence, attend an accredited university, have IRB approval, and create a four-page project proposal.
Contact
Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Grant
P.O. Box 3968
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 856-0713
APAdiv54@gmail.com
Grant Link
11. Mamie Phipps Clark Research Grants
Deadline: November 2nd
Named for the first African American women to earn a PhD in psychology at Columbia in 1943, the Mamie Phipps Clark Research Grants are awarded for $1,500 to graduate student members of the Psi Chi Honor Society. Applicants must be conducting research focused on diversity issues at an accredited institution with a Psi Chi chapter. Online applications won't be complete without a maximum six-page project proposal written in APA style, budgetary outline, and letter of faculty recommendation.
Contact
Mamie Phipps Clark Research Grants
P.O. Box 709
Chattanooga, TN 37401
(423) 771-9968
membership@psichi.org
Grant Link
Related: 20 Great PhD Scholarships and Doctoral Grants for Minorities
12. NASP Graduate Student Research Grants
Deadline: September 15th
Annually, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) supports doctoral candidates enrolled in school psychology training programs in the United States with three Graduate Student Research Grants for $1,000 apiece. PhD or EdD students must display exceptional ability to conduct high-quality research that improves the academic, social, or mental health functioning for diverse school-aged children. There's also a $500 WPS Travel Grant offered for attending the NASP Convention.
Contact
NASP Graduate Student Research Grants
4340 East West Highway Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-0270
ltibbs@naspweb.org
Grant Link
13. Norine Johnson PhD Psychotherapy Grant
Deadline: April 1st
Worth $10,000, the Norine Johnson PhD Psychotherapy Grant is awarded via the APA Division 29: Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy for doctoral-level researchers. Eligible PhD or PsyD candidates must attend an accredited U.S. institution, have good standing, conduct research pertaining to psychotherapist factors that may impact treatment effectiveness, be APA members, and have IRB approval. Applications must include a research proposal, CV, budget, timeline, and personal statement of goals.
Contact
Norine Johnson PhD Psychotherapy Grant
6557 East Riverdale Street
Mesa, AZ 85215
(602) 363-9211
assnmgmt1@cox.net
Grant Link
14. Oglesby-Snyder Grant for Equity
Deadline: April 1st
The Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP) funds the Oglesby-Snyder Grant for Equity to provide $5,000 to PhD-level scholars who propose innovative original research that could lead to understandings that advance equity and cultural diversity in sports. Eligible must be continuous AASP members for at least years, affiliate with an accredited U.S. university, show genuine commitment to sports or exercise psychology, and agree to present at the AASP conference.
Contact
Oglesby-Snyder Grant for Equity
8365 Keystone Crossing Suite 107
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 205-9225
researchandpractice@appliedsportpsych.org
Grant Link
15. Positive Psychology Young Scholars Grant
Deadline: January 15th
With support from the John Templeton Foundation, the Positive Psychology Network has created the Young Scholars Grants to gift $10,000 to PhD students and early-career psychologists from all disciplines who are engaging in research that transforms psychology in a positive direction. Topics of interest include optimism, noble purpose, self-control, spirituality, health and wellness, character-building, etc. Successful U.S. applicants must display talent and future promise as positive psychology researchers.
Contact
Positive Psychology Young Scholars Grant
3815 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-4100
griffing@psych.upenn.edu
Grant Link
16. Qualtrics Behavioral Research Grants
Deadline: Varies
Ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, the Qualtrics Behavioral Research Grants are presented to help support PhD student researchers in psychology and other social sciences who are using Qualtrics as their primary method for data collection. Eligible doctoral recipients can utilize the grant to fund their tuition, fees, equipment, and software for research at an accredited U.S. university. Selections are based on research's originality, quality, feasibility, and potential field contribution.
Contact
Qualtrics Behavioral Research Grants
400 Qualtrics Drive
Provo, Utah 84604
(800) 340-9194
Grant Link
17. Scott Mesh Honorary Grant for Psychology
Deadline: May 4th
Named after the founding APAGS co-chair in 1988, the Scott Mesh Honorary Grant for Psychology is administered by the American Psychological Association (APA) to present $1,000 to students conducting dissertation research leading to a PhD or PsyD in any psychology field. Eligible applicants must be APAGS student members, enroll at least half-time, have good standing, attend a regionally accredited university, write a three-page research proposal, and provide one letter of recommendation.
Contact
Scott Mesh Honorary Grant for Psychology
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5500
apags@apa.org
Grant Link
18. SSSS Student Research Grant
Deadline: June 1st
At its Annual Meeting, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) awards the Student Research Grant for $1,000 to two exemplary graduate psychology students conducting their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation on human sexuality. Qualified recipients must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program in the United States with student-level SSSS membership. Applications must be accompanied by an abstract, proposed budget, bibliography, and short biographical sketch.
Contact
SSSS Student Research Grant
881 Third Street Suite B-5
Whitehall, PA 18052
(610) 443-3100
mlpeters@sexscience.org
Grant Link
19. Walter G. McMillen Memorial Grant Award
Deadline: March 15th
APA Division 20: Adult Development and Aging has established the Walter G. McMillen Memorial Grant Award to encourage graduate psychology students to devote their doctoral research on studying Parkinson's disease. The $1,000 grant is reserved for PhD students investigating the assessment, treatment, and management of Parkinson's and the disease's impact on caregivers. Research proposals should include a 400-word abstract, methodology, cited literature, biographical sketch, and letter of support.
Contact
Walter G. McMillen Memorial Grant Award
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5500
DIV20@lists.apa.org
Grant Link
20. Wayne F. Placek Doctoral Grant
Deadline: March 1st
Established in 1995 by the American Psychological Foundation (APF), the Wayne F. Placek Doctoral Grant is bestowed for $15,000 annually to graduate students in the behavioral and social sciences, especially psychology. Eligible candidates must be affiliated with accredited non-profit universities to begin empirical research studying sexual orientation and lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) issues. Proposals should have a cover letter, abstract, project description, methodology, timeline, budget, and CV.
Contact
Wayne F. Placek Doctoral Grant
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5500
foundation@apa.org
Grant Link
Becoming a licensed psychologist requires investing in a lengthy stay in graduate school. Most doctoral psychology students spend five to six years full-time completing their advanced training on the human mind. The NCES reports that the average graduate tuition cost is $16,435 per year. In comparison, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists bring home a mean yearly salary of $74,030. Finding scholarships and grants is important to maximize the ROI for your PhD or PsyD degree. Fund your tuition and research expenses by applying for some of these 20 great doctoral grants for psychology.