Deadline: 26-Jun-2026
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) is inviting applications for its COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships to support graduate students in psychology with research expenses related to a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. The programme offers nine scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, aimed at encouraging meaningful graduate research while advancing diversity and inclusion in psychology.
About the Program
The COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships are offered by the American Psychological Foundation (APF) to help psychology graduate students cover research costs connected to their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
The programme is designed to support innovative and impactful graduate-level research in psychology. It particularly values projects that contribute meaningfully to the field while reflecting a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across dimensions such as age, race, color, religion, creed, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender, and geography.
Scholarship Value
The programme offers nine scholarships with different award amounts.
Award Categories
- Harry and Miriam Levinson Scholarship – $5,000
- Charles and Carol Spielberger Scholarship – $5,000
- Peter and Malina James & Dr. Louis P. James Legacy Scholarship – $5,000
- William and Dorothy Bevan Scholarship – $3,000
- Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo Scholarship – $3,000
- William C. Howell Scholarship – $2,500
- Clarence J. Rosecrans Scholarship – $2,000
- Raymond K. Mulhern Scholarship – $2,000
- Dr. Judy Kuriansky Scholarship – $2,000
Each scholarship supports research costs associated with graduate thesis or dissertation work.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be a graduate student in psychology
- Be enrolled in an interim master’s or doctoral program in psychology, or
- Be in a terminal master’s program and demonstrate clear intent to pursue a PhD
- Be at any stage of graduate study
- Be actively enrolled at the time the scholarships are awarded
Nomination Requirement
This opportunity requires departmental nomination.
Applicants cannot apply independently unless their nomination is submitted through an eligible department.
Department Eligibility
- Nominations must come from psychology departments
- The department must be a member of the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP)
Number of Nominees Allowed
The number of students a department may nominate depends on the size of its doctoral enrollment.
This means students should coordinate early with their department to understand:
- Whether the department is a COGDOP member
- Whether they can be nominated this cycle
- The department’s internal selection timeline
What the Program Supports
The scholarships are intended to cover research-related expenses tied to:
- A master’s thesis
- A doctoral dissertation
This may include costs associated with conducting graduate-level psychological research, especially where funding is needed to complete an academically meaningful project.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This is a valuable opportunity for psychology graduate students because it:
- Supports thesis and dissertation research
- Offers multiple awards across different funding levels
- Recognizes academic promise and research quality
- Encourages inclusive and diverse scholarship
- Can strengthen a student’s academic profile before doctoral or research career advancement
For students planning a long-term research or academic career in psychology, even a modest award can help fund essential project costs and add a respected credential to their CV.
Tips for a Strong Application
Since this is a department-nominated opportunity, strong preparation is important.
To improve your chances:
- Speak with your department early
- Confirm whether your department is a COGDOP member
- Prepare a clear summary of your thesis/dissertation research
- Highlight the importance and originality of your project
- Show how the funding will directly support research completion
- If in a terminal master’s program, clearly explain your intent to pursue a PhD
- Emphasize how your work contributes to psychology and reflects inclusive research values
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common issues:
- Waiting too long to request a departmental nomination
- Assuming individual applications are accepted without nomination
- Failing to show a clear connection between the funding and research costs
- Not explaining future PhD plans if enrolled in a terminal master’s programme
- Applying while not actively enrolled at the expected award time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the APF COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships?
These are scholarships offered by the American Psychological Foundation to support psychology graduate students with research costs related to a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
2. How much funding is available?
There are nine scholarships, with award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the scholarship category.
3. Can master’s students apply?
Yes. Students in interim master’s programmes may apply. Students in terminal master’s programmes may also apply if they can demonstrate intent to pursue a PhD.
4. Can students apply directly?
No. Applicants must be nominated by a psychology department that is a member of the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP).
5. Do I need to be currently enrolled?
Yes. Applicants must be actively enrolled when the scholarships are awarded.
6. What kind of research expenses are supported?
The scholarships support research costs associated with a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in psychology.
7. Does department size affect nominations?
Yes. The number of nominees allowed depends on the department’s doctoral enrollment size.
Final Takeaway
The APF COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships offer a strong funding opportunity for graduate students in psychology who need support for thesis or dissertation research. With nine scholarships worth $2,000 to $5,000, the programme is especially useful for students conducting meaningful research and seeking recognition through a respected, department-nominated award.
For more information, visit American Psychological Foundation.