Applications for the 2026 Signature Program are now open.
Q: What are LIWP Leaders?
A. In order to more accurately recognize the varied positionality, work, and experiences of the graduates of our Signature Program, the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP) refers to the people who have graduated from our Signature Program as LIWP Leaders. Current participants in the Signature Program are referred to as Participant Leaders.
Q: What is the Signature Program?
A. The APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology is three-pronged program which consists of the Signature Program, Leader Outreach, and Fundraising. The Signature Program refers to the initial training received by all LIWP Leaders. When an applicant applies for the LIWP, they are applying to attend the Signature Program. The Signature Program consists of thirteen 3-hour sessions, broken into two workshops.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for the APA LIWP?
A. Applications for the 2026 Signature Program are now openopens in new window. LIWP is open to mid-career women, transgender, and gender non-binary psychologists who work full time in one or more settings, including academic, academic medicine, clinical, consulting, corporate, government, military, non-profit/non-governmental organizations, or other settings.
APA defines mid-career as 10–20 years post-doctoral degree. The APA LIWP is aware that in some instances, leaders have achievements consistent with being mid-career as early as seven years post-doctorate and occasionally, leaders are clearly mid-career even after 20 years in the field. In such cases, the applicant is asked to provide a justification for the exception.
Q. What are the dates and locations of the APA LIWP Signature Program?
The 2026 Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Signature Program will be presented in an entirely virtual format that will incorporate both synchronous (live group activities) and asynchronous (on your own, in your own time) methods. All content will be presented in a series of three-hour, highly interactive sessions.
Participants will be expected to attend all sessions and to complete homework assignments in the weeks between each session. Homework assignments are given at the end of each live session.
Additionally, optional conversation hours will be held in the weeks between each session. These optional, less formal sessions are a chance for Participant Leaders to interact with peers, the faculty, and APA staff.
Q. Are international affiliates of APA eligible to apply?
Absolutely! It is no longer a requirement that psychologists must be members of APA to apply and be accepted into the program. However, all accepted applicants must have a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from a regionally accredited graduate or professional school or a school that achieved such accreditation within five years of the doctoral degree (or a school of similar standing outside of the United States). This degree must be based, in part, upon a psychological dissertation or other evidence of proficiency in psychological scholarship. Degrees from international institutions must show U.S. equivalency.
Q. Why does the APA LIWP Signature Program cost $1,000.00?
A. The participation fee covers only a portion of the costs for virtual meeting technology, program development, faculty expertise, and staff time. It also includes expenses for program materials, leadership evaluation materials, and other technology fees. While the registration fee is not insignificant, it is lower than that of other national leadership programs.
Q. Are there any scholarships available?
A. We are pleased to announce that APA LIWP is offering six scholarships of $1,000 each to help defray expenses associated with participating in the year-long Institute. While we know that the cost of our leadership institute is low compared to others and that all invited participants intend to attend regardless of access to scholarships, we nonetheless want to provide support to those who may need financial assistance.
Scholarships will be awarded based on a combination of financial need and diversity representation. More information about applying for scholarships will be included with the invitation letters to the 2026 class.
We will post information about any additional funding opportunities here. Please check back regularly for funding updates. You can also check APA’s scholarships, grants, and awardsopens in new window.
Q. Are there any Continuing Education (CE) credits available?
A. Yes, CE credits will be offered at the 2026 APA LIWP. The number of credits will be determined at the time the program is finalized. As an example, the 2023 LIWP Signature Program was credited with up to 39 hours of CE credits.
Q. How will those selected for the 2026 APA LIWP Signature Program be notified?
A. Applicants will receive an emailed letter of notification once selection decisions are made in December. For those invited to attend APA LIWP, an email announcing your selection will also be sent to your referee. All applicants will receive either an invitation to the Signature Program or our regrets by December 19, 2025.
Q. Do I have to attend both the spring and fall programs?
A. Yes, together the spring and fall programs, along with the homework between each session, constitute the annual APA LIWP Signature Program. You are an LIWP Leader only if you complete all components of the program.
Q. What is the LIWP Leader Outreach Program?
A. The APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology is a three-pronged program consisting of the Signature Program, Leader Outreach, and Fundraising.
Q. What is the LIWP Fundraising Program?
A. The APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology is three-pronged program which consists of the Signature Program, Leader Outreach, and Fundraising. LIWP currently has two funds that accept donations. The Dorothy W. Cantor American Psychological Foundation (APF) Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Fund was formally established with the APF in January 2011. The Dorothy W. Cantor APF Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Fund will support the Leadership Institute by providing operating support and also scholarships for a select number of APA LIWP participants who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities.
The Jean Lau Chin Fund was formally established with the APF in August 2020 in memory of a beloved member of the LIWP Advisory Committee and faculty, Jean Lau Chin, EdD. This fund solely supports an annual scholarship given to an LIWP Participant Leader who exemplifies the advancement of diversity in leadership.
For more information about the either the Dorothy W. Cantor APF Fund, or the Jean Lau Chin Fund please contact the LIWP office.
If you would like to make a donation, please download an APF LIWP pledge form (PDF, 429KB)opens in new window. Donations can also be made by directly from the APF giving pageopens in new window. Please be sure to designate your gift to LIWP.
Last updated: August 2025Date created: 2010
