NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Funding research on AI and psychological science.
The APA Racial Equity Fund supports psychology graduate students, early-career psychology researchers whose IRB-approved research examines how AI affects people and how it can better serve all communities, including those that are marginalized or underserved.
AWARD
Up to $5,000
APPLICATIONS OPEN
October 26, 2026
DEADLINE
November 13, 2026
ONE-TIME RESEARCH GRANT
$5,000
maximum per project
Eligible
Psychology graduate students (preferably with a faculty advisor as co-investigator) and early career psychology researchers (who received their doctorate on or after, October 2016) with current IRB approval.
Project period
Calendar year 2027
(January 1 – December 31, 2027)
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
From professional development to research.
The Racial Equity Fund supports organizations advancing work aligned with its priority areas and, most recently, the professional development of emerging scholars. This opportunity extends that commitment to research funding of early-career psychology researchers and psychology graduate students who are studying how AI is changing people’s lives.
01
Psychological science for a world shaped by AI
AI is changing how people seek care, learn, work, and relate to one another. Psychological science is essential to understanding those changes and to shaping AI that serves all people.
02
Funding for research that is ready to move
These grants fund the direct costs of IRB-approved research projects, such as participant compensation, AI tools and computing, data, and sharing results, so emerging researchers can move their work forward in 2027.
Projects should examine one of the following topics:
AI’s impact on mental health and well-being
AI in psychological settings and mental health care, including whether AI tools perform equitably across racial, ethnic, and cultural groups
AI’s impact on children and adolescents, including AI companions and chatbots
Human–AI interaction and trust, including reliance on AI and AI’s impacts on human-to-human trust, trust in institutions, and belongingness
AI’s impact on psychology training and education pathway
AI’s impact on the workplace and workers’ mental health and well-being
The role of AI in the design and conduct of community-engaged research
The fairness, bias, and safety of AI systems, including AI policy and effects on people subject to AI-driven decisions, not just direct users
ELIGIBILITY & USE OF FUNDS
Who can apply, and what the funds support.
Who can apply
You must meet all three criteria.
Graduate students or early-career researchers
Graduate students (preferably with a faculty advisor as co-investigator) at an institution recognized for accreditation by U.S. Department of Education, and early career psychology researchers (who received their psychology doctorate on or after, October 2016).
IRB approval
Project has approval or an exemption from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics board when you apply.
2027 project window
Funded work takes place between January 1 and December 31, 2027.
What funds support
Up to $5,000 for direct research costs.
Eligible Uses:
- Research participant compensation
- AI tools, software, model access, and computing costs
- Data access or purchase and research materials
- Sharing results, including conference registration, travel to present, and open-access fees
READY TO APPLY
The application takes about 30 minutes.
Eleven items covering eligibility, your project, a 250-word description, and your budget. Have three files ready before you start: a one-page budget, your IRB or ethics board letter of approval, and your CV. You can save your progress and return at any time before November 13, 2026.
KEY DATES
October 26, 2026
Application opens
November 13, 2026
Application deadline — 11:59 PM ET
Early December 2026
Notification
By December 18, 2026
Funding
January–December 2027
Project period
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know before applying.
If you don't find your answer here, email REF@apa.org.
Do I need a letter of recommendation?
No. The application asks for your faculty mentor or supervisor’s name and contact information, but no formal letter of recommendation is required.
Can I submit more than one application?
No. Each applicant may submit only one application per cycle. If you submit multiple applications, only the most recent will be reviewed.
What happens after I submit?
You will receive an auto-acknowledgment email. The EDIO team will confirm receipt and conduct an initial eligibility check. You may be contacted if any information is missing.
Will I get feedback if my application is not selected?
Individual reviewer feedback is not provided. All applicants will be notified of their status in early December 2026.
Who reviews applications?
Applications are reviewed by a committee of experts in AI and psychological research. Applications are de-identified and scored on relevance to the selected topic, feasibility, and contribution.
When will I know if I was selected?
Notifications are sent in early December 2026 to both selected and non-selected applicants.
If I’m selected, when do I receive the funds?
Funds are disbursed in December 2026, after you sign the award agreement and submit a W-9. Funds may be considered taxable income.
What are my reporting requirements?
Recipients are required to submit:
- A mid-point check-in in July 2027
- A one-page final report by January 31, 2028
The EDIO team will send reminders and provide reporting templates.
Getting Help
I have a question that's not answered here. Who do I contact?
Please send an email to REF@apa.org. The inbox is monitored daily.
Need Help?
Email: REF@apa.org
Response time: within 2 business days
