On June 4th, the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr) posted on their website an announcement that listed FY2003 Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) grants.

First, we are as shocked and stunned, as many of you are who have contacted our office, about the BHPr announcement. In fact, your calls and emails were the first we had heard anything about this. It appears that the $2.7 million FY 2003 GPE grants are being awarded to approved, but unfunded FY 2002 applicants.

That we were never told about this pending announcement is even more disturbing given that we have been in touch with BHPr staff since February when the FY2003 monies were appropriated, and have been working with them for the past two months on specific details of the FY2003 GPE grant applications. Each time we were told the FY2003 application would be available June-July.

This has obviously put all of us in a very difficult situation. We are very concerned for current GPE grantees and others who have been planning to (re)apply for the FY2003 round of grants. Now, despite our several conversations about the FY2003 GPE grant application, it appears the BHPr did not intend to proceed with a competitive solicitation for FY2003. [The announcement does not address the competition for the $1.5 million, FY 2003 geropsychology training funds.]

To say that we are upset and frustrated is an understatement. We are trying to reach BHPr officials to confirm what has occurred and to find out what additional grants are to be awarded.

As soon as we know something, we will post it to this website.

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