APA Congressional Fellowship Grant

The APA Congressional Fellowship offers psychologists a unique opportunity to engage in public policy, enhancing the application of psychological knowledge in government. Over a year, fellows work alongside Congress members, drafting legislation and participating in oversight activities. The fellowship is available for APA members, with stipends ranging from $75,000 to $90,000, in addition to health insurance reimbursement and professional development funds. This initiative aims to support psychologists interested in societal challenges and policy issues.

The purpose of this fellowship is to provide psychologists with an invaluable public policy learning experience, to contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge in government, and to broaden awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government.
Fellows spend one year working on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. Activities may involve drafting legislation, conducting oversight work, assisting with congressional hearings and events, and preparing briefs and speeches. Fellows also attend a two-week orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which provides guidance for the congressional placement process, and participate in a yearlong seminar series on science and public policy issues. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) administers these professional development activities for the APA fellows and for fellows sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.
APA and APF will sponsor up to three congressional fellows for a one-year appointment beginning approximately August 30. The APA fellowship is open to all full APA members. The APF Jacquelin Goldman Congressional fellowship was created to support psychologists with a background in developmental or clinical psychology and experience working directly with children. The APF Springfield LGBTQIA+ Policy Congressional fellowship was created to support psychologists with a background or interest in LGBTQIA+ populations. Stipends for these fellowships range from $75,000 to $90,000, depending upon years of postdoctoral experience. In addition, the fellowship provides reimbursement for health insurance coverage and a $3,750 stipend for professional development and relocation expenses during the fellowship year. Final selection of Fellows will be made in early spring.

Eligibility

A prospective fellow must:
Demonstrate excellence in scientific and/or professional psychology.Demonstrate knowledge of policy issues.Have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to the solution of societal challenges.Be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics and be able to work cooperatively with individuals with diverse viewpoints.
An applicant must:
Have a doctorate in psychology (from an APA accredited doctoral program and internship, if in the area of professional psychology) or related field by the application deadline.Be a psychologist, a member of APA (or applicant for membership), and a U.S. citizen.A special exception is made for current psychology interns who may apply with certification from the director of training in their doctoral program that they have met all but the internship requirement for their doctoral degree by the application deadline.Applicants may apply to both APA’s Congressional Fellowship and Executive Branch Science Fellowship; however, we require separate applications for each fellowship.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.