Psychology Scholarships

Doctoral students enrolled in good standing at an accredited U.S. or international university may apply for the NIH Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP) to conduct dissertation research in the NIH Intramural Research Program while remaining enrolled at their degree-granting institution. Eligible degrees include PhD, DPhil, PharmD, DrPH, PsyD, MD/PhD, and DVM/PhD. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible international students (including J-1 pathways) may participate through individual or institutional partnerships. While at NIH, GPP students are paid on the NIH predoctoral IRTA stipend table based on research experience after the bachelor's degree. Annual stipends range from $46,100 for a first-year predoctoral fellow with up to one year of experience to $59,300 in later years. NIH also provides health insurance supplements, a $1,500 relocation benefit for new fellows, and professional development, advising, and well-being resources. There is no fixed application deadline; students arrive year round once they secure an NIH principal investigator willing to host their dissertation research and obtain permission from their university graduate program. Individual partnership applicants contact PIs directly and apply through the NIH Application Center. Institutional partnership students apply through specific university partner programs. GPP lets doctoral students combine university coursework with mentored intramural research at NIH institutes and centers across multiple campuses.

The American Psychological Foundation's Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grants support psychological research and programs that advance and apply knowledge about gifted and talented children and adolescents. One grant of $39,000 is awarded per cycle. Applicants must be affiliated with a school or education institution, and for research proposals must either hold a doctoral degree from, or be a graduate student at, an accredited university. Graduate students pursuing dissertation or other research on the development of identified gifted children are eligible, as are psychologists conducting innovative research or pilot programs in this area. Applications are submitted through APF's GivingData portal with a proposal, timeline, detailed budget and justification, and CV. The most recent deadline was March 6, 2026, and the program runs annually.

The American Psychological Foundation's Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship supports graduate student research in child psychology, including child-clinical, pediatric, school, educational, and developmental psychopathology. Five fellowships of $20,800 are awarded annually, covering a single academic year. Applicants must have completed doctoral candidacy at the time of application (documentation required) and must demonstrate research competence and commitment to the area. Only one application is accepted from any one institution in a given year, and the student's home institution must provide a tuition waiver or coverage. Applications are submitted through APF's online GivingData portal with a dissertation project abstract, proposal, timeline, budget and justification, abbreviated CV, and two letters of recommendation (graduate advisor and department chair or director of graduate studies). The most recent deadline was November 26, 2025.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents from disadvantaged backgrounds with exceptional financial need who are committed to biomedical, behavioral, or social science research careers may apply. You must be enrolled or accepted full-time at an accredited four-year institution with a 3.3+ GPA or rank in the top 5% of your class. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $20,000 per academic year for tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses, renewable for up to four years. The program also includes a paid ten-week NIH summer internship and a one-year post-graduation NIH service obligation. Apply through the NIH UGSP portal with financial need certification from your institution's financial aid office.

Graduate students in HR-related master's or doctoral programs at regionally accredited institutions may apply. Applicants must be current SHRM members, hold at least a 3.5 graduate GPA (or 3.0 undergraduate GPA if not yet enrolled), and have at least one full semester remaining. Full-time, part-time, online, and distance programs qualify. General graduate scholarships pay $5,000; the Cheslie C. Kryst memorial award pays $10,000; the Susan R. Meisinger Scholarship for Graduate Study in HR pays $20,000. Funds are issued as a check to the institution for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Each award is one-time but prior recipients may reapply. Apply through the SHRM Foundation online application (resume, transcripts, short answers, one reference letter). The 2026-27 cycle opens January 12 and is due March 13, 2026. SHRM Foundation awards over $400,000 in graduate and undergraduate HR scholarships each year.

Master's-level counseling students enrolled in a CACREP-, institutionally-, or NASAC-accredited addictions counseling program (or counseling with an addictions concentration) committed to serving underserved populations may apply. U.S. citizens or permanent residents in good academic standing who do not already hold a master's in behavioral health and are not receiving other federal funds may qualify. Up to 43 fellows receive $15,000 stipends plus travel funding for program trainings. Fellows must complete 12 semester hours of addictions coursework, a full academic-year internship with an underserved population, and a two-year post-graduation service commitment. Apply via the NBCC Foundation scholarships portal when the cycle opens.

Occidental College Science Scholars receive funded research support from the Fletcher-Jones Foundation and Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation to conduct faculty-mentored projects in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, geology, kinesiology, mathematics, physics, or psychology with a neuroscience emphasis. Junior applicants submit a research proposal, budget, and mentor letter by November 17 and interview if selected as finalists. Total support includes fifteen thousand dollars in study grants plus three thousand dollars for research expenses and travel, spanning junior spring through senior year with required interim and final reports.

Full-time master's counseling students in CACREP-accredited (or pending) programs who commit to serving underserved communities may apply. Applicants need completed fall 2025 or spring 2026 coursework and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents without an existing behavioral-health master's degree. Up to 32 fellows receive $12,000 plus travel to SAMHSA-funded training events. Applications open April 1 and close July 7; the 2026 cycle is closed. Submit Submittable application with references, transcript, letter of good standing, and personal statement. The NBCC Foundation administers this SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program for mental health counseling students.

U.S. residents who are high school seniors, graduates, GED recipients, or current undergraduates with at least a 2.5 GPA pursuing education, counseling, social work, psychology, or nursing at an accredited college or vocational school may apply. Education, counseling, social work, and psychology applicants must commit to working in K-12 systems. Renewable awards of up to $5,000 per year for two-year or vocational programs, or up to $10,000 per year for four-year programs, may continue for up to four additional years. Up to 100 recipients may be selected. Submit academic records and three essays on educational goals, personal challenges, and plans for impact. Financial need is considered. DACA recipients are eligible.

The American Psychological Foundation's Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant awards $10,000 for graduate or early career work that seeks to increase the public's understanding of the psychological pain and stigma experienced by adults living with visible physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy. Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good standing at an accredited university, or early career psychologists no more than 10 years postdoctoral. Preference is given to proposals that include a plan to disseminate findings to the public, especially through media organizations. Applications are submitted through APF's GivingData portal with a project proposal, one-page timeline, one-page budget and justification, abbreviated CV, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor. The 2026 deadline is October 2, 2026.