Scholarships for a Ph.D. in Psychology

The American Psychological Association (APA) awards funding for dissertation research.

The majority of funding available for doctoral psychology students comes from educational and professional associations. While students can obtain funding for general educational expenses, such as tuition and school fees, predoctoral fellowships and scholarships typically fund research projects or dissertations. Ph.D. students can face competition for funding and strict guidelines that can limit applicants according to ethnicity or field of study. Scholarship guidelines can restrict funding to one-time awards or offer continued assistance throughout a student's graduate studies.

International Honor Society in Psychology

Psi Chi, also known as the International Honor Society in Psychology, sponsors grants and scholarships for students at all college levels, including the Graduate Research Grant. Students enrolled in master's and Ph.D. coursework can apply for funding to help pay for research. As of January, 2011, candidates can request a maximum of $1,500, but awards typically do not exceed $750, according to Psi Chi. The program only funds expenses associated with actual research, and recipients cannot use contributions for tuition, stipends or travel expenses related to research presentation. Applicants must be Psi Chi members and serve as the primary author of their research projects.

Predoctoral MHSAS

The American Psychological Association (APA) awards funding to psychology students through the Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services program, known as the Predoctoral MHSAS. Funded by the federal government, the Predoctoral MHSAS program intends to advance diversity in behavioral health by supporting the education of minorities studying clinical psychology, school psychology and counseling. The association accepts applications from African American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in doctoral degree psychology programs. Recipients can obtain funding for up to three years.

Dissertation Research Award

Doctoral-level psychology students working on their dissertations can apply for support from the APA through the Dissertation Research Award program. The association awards multiple grants, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, as of January 2011. Candidates must hold good academic standing in their graduate program, have a membership with the APA and submit a recommendation letter from a professor or school adviser. The program allows recipients to conduct research in any subject related to psychology.

Jeanne Spurlock Research Fellowship

Ph.D. psychology students can receive support for child drug addiction research through the Jeanne Spurlock Research Fellowship in Substance Abuse and Addition for Minority Medical Students. Administered by the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), the program pays a maximum of $3,500 to fund students conducting 12-week summer research projects in association with a psychiatric mentor. The association accepts applications only from minority students attending medical schools in the U.S., and Spurlock Fellows must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Candidates must work directly with a psychiatrist to conduct their research, and all mentors must hold membership with the AACAP. The program requires recipients to attend the annual AACAP meeting, where they can submit their research papers for possible presentation.

References

• The International Honor Society in Psychology: Psi Chi Awards and Grants for Graduate Students
• The International Honor Society in Psychology: Graduate Research Grants
• American Psychological Association: Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
• American Psychological Association: APA Dissertation Research Award
• American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry: Jeanne Spurlock Research Fellowship in Substance Abuse and Addiction for Minority Medical Students