Request for Proposals: Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant Program (US)

The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant offers a $10,000 award to support graduate students and early career psychologists conducting projects that increase public understanding of the psychological pain and stigma experienced by adults with visible physical disabilities.

Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant: Programme Overview

The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant is designed to support research and applied projects that deepen public understanding of the psychological impact of stigma on adults living with visible physical disabilities, including conditions such as cerebral palsy.

The programme places strong emphasis on addressing misconceptions, reducing stigma, and highlighting the lived psychological experiences of individuals with visible physical disabilities through rigorous, meaningful work.

Purpose and Focus of the Grant

The central goal of the Pearsall Grant is to improve public awareness of the psychological pain associated with visible physical disabilities and the stigma that often accompanies them.

Projects are expected to contribute to better understanding, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote empathy, with a clear emphasis on public-facing outcomes rather than purely academic outputs.

Funding Amount and Duration

The programme provides one grant of $10,000.

All awarded funds must be spent within a 12-month project period. A final project report is required three months after project completion, followed by a longer-term impact report due three years after the project concludes.

Eligible Applicants

The grant is open to two primary applicant groups.

Eligible applicants include full-time graduate students in good standing at accredited universities and early career psychologists who are no more than 10 years postdoctoral.

International applicants may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements and are based in countries with diplomatic relations with the United States.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The programme strongly encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including diversity in age, race, colour, religion, creed, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender, and geographic location.

This commitment reflects the foundation’s aim to support inclusive perspectives in disability-related psychological research.

Allowable and Non-Allowable Costs

The Pearsall Grant supports only direct project-related costs that are essential to the success of the proposed work.

Allowable expenses include participant compensation, technology and equipment costs, travel for research or dissemination, personnel support, supplemental training, and publication or open-access fees.

Institutional indirect, administrative, or overhead costs are strictly prohibited. Tuition fees are not eligible expenses under any circumstances.

If an institution accepts funds on behalf of the grantee, it must formally confirm that all indirect or overhead costs are waived and that the full award is used solely for the approved project.

Expectations for Public Dissemination

A distinguishing feature of the Pearsall Grant is its strong emphasis on public dissemination.

Applicants are encouraged to design projects that actively engage the public and share findings through media outlets, public platforms, or other accessible communication channels.

Preference is given to proposals that clearly articulate how results will reach broad audiences and contribute to reducing stigma through public understanding.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed based on alignment with the programme’s stated goals and the overall quality and feasibility of the proposed project.

Proposals that demonstrate strong public dissemination strategies, particularly those involving media engagement, receive priority consideration.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit a complete application package consisting of several required documents.

These include a detailed project proposal, a project timeline of no more than one page, and a budget with justification not exceeding one page.

Applicants must also provide an abbreviated curriculum vitae of up to five pages and a letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor.

Conclusion

The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant provides a focused funding opportunity for graduate students and early career psychologists committed to understanding and addressing the psychological effects of stigma on individuals with visible physical disabilities.

By prioritising public dissemination and real-world impact, the programme supports work that not only advances knowledge but also helps shift societal attitudes and reduce harmful misconceptions.