Diversity

Dr. Jingru Chen is a Chinese, cisgender, licensed psychologist currently working at Yale University Mental Health & Counseling, where she provides psychotherapy, assessment, and outreach to a diverse student population. She is also actively engaged in group therapy. Dr. Chen adopts an integrative and culturally responsive approach, with a strong emphasis on clients’ strengths, relationships, and meaning-making processes in therapy. Her research and professional interests center on the process and outcomes of culturally informed psychotherapy, with a focus on advancing mental health and well-being across diverse populations.

Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy Diversity Research Grant for For Pre-doctoral Candidates

Description

The Diversity Research Grant for pre-doctoral candidates was established to foster the promotion of diversity within the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (APA Division 29) and within the profession of psychotherapy.

The Society may award annually two $2,000 Diversity Research Grants to pre-doctoral
candidates (enrolled in a clinical or counseling psychology doctoral program) who are currently conducting dissertation research that promotes diversity, as outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA).  According to the APA, diversity is defined as individual and role differences, including those based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.

Funding Specifics​

Two annual grants of $2,000 will be paid in one lump sum to the researcher, to his or her university’s grants and contracts office, or to an incorporated company. Individuals who receive the funds could incur tax liabilities.  All grant recipients will be required to complete an IRS form W-9 before funds are issued.

Eligibility Requirements

The Diversity Research Grant is expected to be used to support the completion of a pre-
doctoral candidate’s dissertation work. The grant may be used to fund:

• supplies used to conduct the research;
• training needed for completion of the research; and/or
• travel to present the research (such as at a professional conference).

The applicant must be a member of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.

The recipient of the grant will be expected to present his or her research results in a
scholarly forum (e.g., presentation at an APA Annual Convention, the Society’s
journal, Psychotherapy, or other refereed professional journal) or Psychotherapy Bulletin.

Evaluation Criteria

• Consistency with the Diversity Research Grant’s stated purposes;
• Clarity of the written proposal;
• Scientific quality and feasibility of the proposed research project;
• Budgetary needs for data collection and completion and presentation of the project;
• Potential for new and valuable contributions to the field of psychotherapy; and
• Potential for final publication or likelihood of furthering successful research in topic area.
• Awardee must be a member of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
  (APA Division 29)

Proposal Requirements

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing how the applicant’s work embodies the Division’s interest in promoting diversity in the profession of psychotherapy and how the
  funding will be used to support the applicant’s dissertation work;
• A 1-page document outlining a detailed budget;
• A 5-10 page research proposal (alternatively, a Dissertation Proposal may be submitted, regardless of length);
• 1 letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current direct supervisor or advisor; and
• 1 letter from the applicant’s dissertation advisor or director of clinical training certifying that the applicant is currently in the process of completing research for the dissertation.

Additional Information

• After the project is complete, a full accounting of the project’s income and expenses must be submitted within six months of completion.
• Grant funds that are not spent on the project within two years must be returned.
• When the resulting research is published, the grant must be acknowledged.
• All individuals who directly receive funds from the division will be required to complete an IRS w-9 form prior to the release of funds, and will be sent a 1099 after the end of the fiscal year (December 31st).

Submission Process & Deadline

• All materials must be submitted electronically at the same time
• All applicants must complete the grant application form, in MSWord or other
  text format
• CV(s) may be submitted in text or PDF format. If submitting more than 1 CV, then all CVs must be included in 1 electronic document/file
• Proposal and budget must be submitted in 1 file, with a cover sheet to include the name of the principal investigator and complete contact information (address, phone, fax, email)
• Submit all required materials for proposal to: Tracey A. Martin in the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29 of APA) Central Office, assnmgmt1@cox.net
• You will receive an electronic confirmation of your submission within 24 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, your proposal was not received; please resubmit.
• Questions about this program should be directed to the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy Diversity Domain Representatives Rosemary Phelps Ph.D. (rephelps@uga.edu), Manijeh Badiee (MBadiee@CSUSB.EDU) ; and/or Committee Chair Sheeva Mostoufi (sheeva.mostoufi@gmail.com)

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026