Small Grants

Application deadlines are March 1 and October 1.

The APS Teaching Fund supports projects that advance high-quality teaching in psychological science. Reviewers will evaluate proposals based on their potential impact, innovation, sustainability, evaluation, and outreach. Applicants should ensure their narrative addresses these criteria clearly. 

Proposals will be accepted via our online application platform. Please prepare your proposal and other application materials as file uploads. Proposals should include the following information: 

I. Project Title

II. Target Funding Category
Select one: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Meetings and Conferences, Technology, Global Psychological Science, Other

III. Project Director(s)
Provide the name(s) and CVs of EACH of the project director(s). Identify the Principal Director if multiple people are involved. 

IV. Letter of Institutional Support
If applicable, include a letter confirming institutional support.

V. Abstract (≤300 words): Provide a concise summary of the project, including its goals, methods, and anticipated impact.

VI. Proposal: Narrative Description (≤1,500 words): Address the following points clearly and in alignment with the evaluation criteria:

• Goals: What are you trying to achieve and why?
• Methods: How will you accomplish these goals? Why are these methods sound and relevant to the scholarship of teaching and learning?
• Innovation: How does this project advance high-quality teaching in psychological science in a new or impactful way?
• Impact: Who is the target audience and what measurable benefits will they gain?
• Need: How does this project meet an unmet need in the teaching and learning community? Does it assist underserved or international populations?
• Comparison: What similar resources exist, and how does your project differ or add value?
• Sustainability & Outreach: How will the project continue beyond APS funding? How will results be shared with the community? Describe how you will share results with the teaching and learning community (e.g. publications, presentations, online resources). 

VII. Budget: APS provides up to $5,000 for qualified expenses. Provide an itemized budget and explain why each expense is necessary. Note: Instructor salaries, course buy-outs, computers, and overhead costs are not funded (except for student time).
a. Other Funding Sources: List any additional funding sources, noting whether funds are committed or anticipated.

VIII. Timeframe: Outline the anticipated timeline for the project, including major milestones.

IX. Evaluation Plan: Provide a brief plan for assessing success. Include what data you will collect (e.g., participant feedback, engagement metrics, usage statistics) and how you will analyze it to determine whether goals were met. Align evaluation with your stated goals and impact.

Evaluation Criteria (for your reference): Reviewers will assess proposals based on:

• Advancement of high-quality psychological science
• Potential impact on a broad audience
• Addressing unmet needs and underserved populations
• Sustainability beyond APS funding
• Outreach opportunities (connecting students or disseminating results)

Ensure your narrative addresses the points above explicitly.

The APS Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science was established with the support of The David and Carol Myers Foundation.

Questions? Contact [email protected].