Deadline: 30-Oct-2026
The K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant Program, offered by the American Psychological Foundation, provides a single annual award of USD 11,000 to support doctoral dissertation research on expertise, skill acquisition, and deliberate practice.
The grant prioritizes high-quality, innovative dissertation projects that apply the expert performance approach across diverse domains of skill development.
Overview
The K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant Program is an initiative of the American Psychological Foundation (APF) designed to advance scientific understanding of expertise and skill acquisition.
The program supports doctoral dissertation research focused on how individuals acquire high-level skills, with particular emphasis on deliberate practice and the expert performance framework pioneered by K. Anders Ericsson.
Purpose of the Grant
The primary goal of the grant is to fund rigorous dissertation research that deepens knowledge of how expertise develops across domains.
APF seeks to support projects that offer strong theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and meaningful contributions to psychology and related disciplines concerned with performance, learning, and skill mastery.
Key Research Focus Areas
Proposed dissertation research should fall within the general area of expertise and skill acquisition.
Priority is given to projects that:
-
Apply the expert performance approach to the study of skill development
-
Examine the role and mechanisms of deliberate practice
-
Investigate expertise across diverse domains such as sports, music, education, medicine, science, technology, or professional performance
-
Contribute new empirical insights into how high-level skills are acquired, maintained, or optimized
Grant Amount and Award Structure
The program provides one annual award of USD 11,000.
Because the award amount exceeds USD 10,000, funds are disbursed to the applicant’s affiliated nonprofit, educational, scientific, or governmental institution.
The institution must formally agree to administer the funds in compliance with APF requirements.
Who Is Eligible?
The grant is open to:
-
Graduate students who are actively working on and completing their doctoral dissertations
Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including diversity in age, race, color, religion, creed, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geographic location.
International applicants are eligible provided they meet program requirements and are based in countries with diplomatic relations with the United States.
All applications must be submitted in English.
The applicant must serve as the Principal Investigator, even if a Co-Principal Investigator is included.
Allowable and Non-Allowable Costs
APF funding supports only direct costs that are essential to carrying out the approved dissertation research.
Allowable direct costs include:
-
Participant recruitment and compensation
-
Research materials and supplies
-
Data collection and analysis tools
-
Technology or software required for the project
-
Travel necessary for research or dissemination
-
Costs directly related to dissemination of findings
The following costs are not permitted:
-
Institutional indirect, administrative, or overhead costs
-
Tuition or academic fees
-
Expenses not integral to the execution or dissemination of the research
If an institution accepts funds on behalf of the grantee, it must formally waive all indirect or overhead costs and ensure the full award amount is used solely for the approved project.
Project Timeline and Reporting Requirements
Projects officially begin on the date the grant payment is issued.
All funded research must be completed within twelve months.
A final report is required within three months after project completion.
A long-term impact report must also be submitted at a later stage, as specified by APF, to document the broader influence of the research.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are competitively reviewed and assessed based on:
-
Overall impact and innovation of the dissertation research
-
Scientific quality and rigor of the proposed study
-
Alignment with the program’s focus on expertise and skill acquisition
-
Clarity, feasibility, and coherence of the research plan and budget
Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit a complete application package that includes:
-
A dissertation abstract
-
A detailed dissertation timeline
-
A detailed project budget with justification
-
A current curriculum vitae
Incomplete applications or budgets that include non-allowable costs may be disqualified from consideration.
Common Application Tips
Clearly link the dissertation research to theories of expert performance or deliberate practice.
Demonstrate how the study advances existing knowledge rather than replicating prior work.
Ensure the budget is realistic, tightly aligned with the research plan, and limited to allowable direct costs.
Present a clear timeline that shows the dissertation can be completed within the 12-month funding period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers the K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant Program?
The program is administered by the American Psychological Foundation.
How many awards are offered each year?
One award of USD 11,000 is granted annually.
Can international doctoral students apply?
Yes, international applicants may apply if they meet eligibility requirements and are from countries with diplomatic relations with the United States.
Are indirect or overhead costs allowed?
No, institutional indirect, administrative, or overhead costs are not permitted.
Is tuition an allowable expense?
No, tuition fees are explicitly excluded from allowable costs.
How long can the funded project last?
The dissertation research must be completed within twelve months from the date of payment.
Who must serve as Principal Investigator?
The doctoral student applicant must serve as the Principal Investigator, even if a Co-PI is included.
Conclusion
The K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant Program provides substantial, focused support for doctoral students conducting innovative research on expertise and skill acquisition.
By funding rigorous dissertation projects grounded in the expert performance and deliberate practice traditions, the program helps advance scientific understanding of how exceptional skills are developed across diverse domains.
For more information, visit American Psychological Foundation.