SPSSI supports a number of grant and honors programs.

Scroll down to read about award programs open to people at different career stages, and to learn about open requests for proposals.

All award amounts are listed in U.S. dollars, and all award and proposal opportunities are open to international applicants.

Questions? Email awards@spssi.org.

Grant Programs with Upcoming Deadlines

Local- and State-Level Policy Work Grants. The goal of this program is to influence policy at the local and state levels through applied research; increase the availability of policy opportunities for SPSSI members who are interested in applied research; and encourage students and early career scholars to become more involved in SPSSI. Each Local- and State-Level Policy Work group must include at least three social scientists (graduate students may count toward this number) and may include additional group members who are non social scientists (e.g., local community partners). Click here to see examples of grants that have been funded in past years. Grant amount: SPSSI will fund up to three groups, at up to $2,000 each. Deadline: September 1, 2022. 

SEAS Grants. Small-Scale Events Advancing SPSSI (SEAS) Grants are intended to promote awareness of SPSSI, identify potential new members, and promote SPSSI membership through support of: 1) Small-scale events hosted at a member’s institution or other local venue related to the psychological study of social issues; 2) Initiatives that enhance SPSSI membership through the creation of researcher links, networks, and other collaborative opportunities; or 3) Pre-conferences or smaller meetings attached to larger conferences where the theme and content of the meeting is related to the psychological study of social issues. Click here to see examples of grants that have been funded in past years. Grant amount: Up to $1,000 based on actual expenses. Deadline: September 15, 2022.

Researchers in the Global South (RGS) Grants. SPSSI designed this grant opportunity to support scientific research on social issues in the Global South and Majority World settings (e.g., Africa, Latin America, Asia, and southern and eastern Europe) and modelled it on SPSSI's long-standing Grants-in-Aid program. The Committee that reviews RGS Grant proposals welcomes proposals involving (a) unique and timely research opportunities, (b) underrepresented institutions, graduate students, and junior scholars, (c) volunteer research teams, and (d) actual, not pilot, projects. Funds may be used for various research activities, but are not available for the indirect costs of institutions. Click here to see examples of grants that have been awarded in past years. Grant amount: Up to $2,000 in funding to SPSSI members who already have a doctoral degree and up to $1,000 in funding for pre-doctoral work. Deadline: October 1, 2022.

Grants-in-Aid. The SPSSI Committee on Grants-in-Aid wishes to support scientific research in social problem areas related to the basic interests and goals of SPSSI and particularly those that are not likely to receive support from traditional sources. The committee especially encourages proposals involving (a) unique and timely research opportunities, (b) underrepresented institutions, graduate students, and junior scholars, (c) volunteer research teams, and (d) actual, not pilot, projects. Funds are not normally provided for travel to conventions, travel or living expenses while conducting research, stipends of principal investigators, costs associated with manuscript preparation, or the indirect costs of institutions. Grant amount: Up to $2,000 in funding to SPSSI members who already have a doctoral degree and up to $1,000 in funding for pre-doctoral work. Deadline: October 15, 2022.

Clara Mayo Grants. The Clara Mayo Grants program was set up to support masters theses or pre-dissertation research on aspects of sexism, racism, or prejudice, with preference given to students enrolled in a terminal masters program. Studies of the application of theory or the design of interventions or treatments to address these problems are welcome. Up to six grants will be awarded each cycle. Grant amount: Up to $1,000. Proposals that include a college or university agreement to match the amount requested will be favored, but proposals without matching funds will also be considered. Deadline: October 15, 2022.

Honors Programs with Upcoming Deadlines

SPSSI Teaching Resources Awards. Teaching Resources Awards reward innovative activities, assignments, and projects related to the psychological study of social issues. Awardees will be SPSSI members who have developed novel resources that advance students’ understanding of social issues and can be used in a variety of settings (e.g., on ground/online, small or large groups). Click here to see examples of teaching resources developed by past awardees. Five prizes of $150 will be awarded. Deadline: September 15, 2022. 

Michele Alexander Early Career Award. The Michele Alexander Early Career Award for Scholarship and Service recognizes early career excellence in scholarship as well as in service. For this award, scholarship is defined in terms of substantive academic (theoretical, empirical, or applied) contributions to the psychological study of social issues, while service is defined as professional and/or community service. The award includes: a complimentary one-year SPSSI membership; an honorary plaque; and the opportunity to attend a SPSSI-sponsored event alongside the SPSSI President, thereby providing the recipient with opportunities for networking and mentorship—a special skill and commitment of Dr. Alexander’s. Deadline: October 1, 2022.