The Bureau of Health Professions is now accepting applications for its Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) program--a newly unveiled competitive grants initiative to support training of health-service psychologists for work with underserved populations.
APA won $2 million to fund this first-ever federal program catering to psychology after months of advocacy. Key to the win, say APA education advocacy staff, was the strong support of APA members such as Herb Goldstein, PhD, and congressmen such as Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.).
Through May 22, doctoral programs and internships in health service areas can apply to tap the grants of $100,000 to $130,000 for student stipends, faculty support and other such training needs. Up to 19 grants will be awarded.
Although the GPE program is limited to one year and its grants are as yet unavailable to postdoctoral residencies, APA's Education Directorate aims to expand the program's length and reach in its future advocacy work. Those programs wishing to apply must:
* Be accredited by APA.
* Be willing to use the funds in collaboration with two or more disciplines.
* Demonstrate their commitment to training students in health service for underserved populations, including older persons, children, rural communities, victims of terror or abuse and people with chronic illnesses.
In its consideration of applications, the bureau will favor programs with high student placement rates. It projects the grant award date to be Aug. 30. Conference calls to assist grant applicants were held throughout April, and two more will be held this month, on May 2 and May 10. To learn more about this assistance, e-mail Terri Spear at tspear@hrsa.gov. For the grant application, go to http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/grants2002/
applications/gpe.htm.
--B. MURRAY
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