Dalmas A. Taylor Memorial Summer Policy Fellowship Grant

The Dalmas A. Taylor Memorial Summer Policy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for doctoral students in psychology to engage in public policy work during a full-time, 8-12 week summer program. Funded by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, this fellowship emphasizes participation in policy activities, including crafting policy briefs and attending key events in Washington, DC. With a stipend of $3,000 and additional travel support, it aims to foster commitment to ethnic minority issues in the field of psychology.

About the Fellowship
This predoctoral fellowship honors the memory of Dalmas A. Taylor, who passed away during his term as President of SPSSI. Dr. Taylor had been involved for many years with SPSSI. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Psychological Association and in increasing APA’s attention to the inclusion of people of color.
This fellowship is funded by SPSSI and administered in conjunction with APA Advocacy and the APA Minority Fellowship Program. It provides an opportunity for a doctoral student to work on public policy issues for an entire summer.
A Day in the Life of a Fellow
Historically, the Taylor Fellow has come to Washington, DC for the summer to work alongside SPSSI and APA policy staff and attend policy events on Capitol Hill in person. In the summers of 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Taylor Fellow worked remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because many DC-based offices (including APA and SPSSI) transitioned to remote work. Thankfully, congressional offices have now reopened, many federal agency offices are back to in-person or hybrid schedules, and many other Washington-based organizations have returned to in-person or hybrid schedules. Many events, such as congressional receptions and federal agency advisory meetings, are again being held in person (they are also now streamed online, which many were not before the pandemic). Once the ideal candidate is identified for the Summer fellowship, they can expect to discuss fellowship logistics with SPSSI staff so that together we can craft an in-person and virtual fellowship experience that takes into account the candidate's personal considerations (e.g., beginning the fellowship at a convenient time in the fellow's academic schedule).
The Taylor Fellowship program emphasizes participation in a range of policy activities and can include a number of projects. In addition to attending congressional hearings and briefings, and other federal policy-focused events (e.g., meetings with federal agencies and policy coalitions), the Taylor Fellow can:
Craft a policy briefWrite a blog post for SPSSI’s “Sound Science, Sound Policy” blog, which is published by PsychologyTodayPlan a policy-focused webinar for SPSSI members and the broader social justice-minded APA communityWrite a newsletter column for SPSSI’s member e-newsletter, Forward
As part of the fellowship, the Taylor Fellow will also:
Participate in SPSSI's Summer Conference and Policy Workshop preconference in PhiladelphiaMeet SPSSI leaders and leaders at the intersection of the psychology and policy worldConduct background research and draft policy materials alongside APA Public Interest Government Relations staffParticipate in APA’s Minority Fellowship Program Summer Psychology Institute (typically held in person in Washington, DC in late June or early July)
Funding
The summer fellowship is a full-time commitment and runs 8-12 weeks. While the timing is flexible, we recommend that fellows aim to begin the fellowship no later than mid-June (as most of Washington goes on vacation in August). The summer stipend is $3,000. The fellow also attends the SPSSI Summer Conference and the week-long APA Minority Fellowship Program Summer Psychology Institute free of charge.
SPSSI will reimburse the fellow up to $1,500 for travel/relocation to DC and/or living expenses in DC. The fellow will be responsible for making their own housing arrangements.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good standing in an accredited doctoral program in psychology or a related field. In addition, they must have demonstrated a commitment to a career with a focus on ethnic minority issues.Applicants should ensure that, if selected for the fellowship, their schedules would allow them to attend the SPSSI Summer Conference and Policy Workshop preconference, which SPSSI would pay for.

Ineligibility

Applicants should not have completed their doctoral program by the time they begin the fellowship.