Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellowship

The purpose of the Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellowship is to provide psychologists with an invaluable public policy learning experience; to contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge in government; and to broaden awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government.

Through a generous bequest to the American Psychological Foundationopens in new window (APF) from Franklyn Springfield, PhD, that established the FS LGBTQIA+ Awareness Fund, APA administers this APF-funded program for a congressional fellow. Applicants for this fellowship must have a background or interest in psychology as it pertains to health, wellbeing and civil rights of LGBTQIA+ populations. Fellowship activities may involve drafting legislation, conducting oversight work, assisting with congressional hearings and events, and preparing briefs and speeches. Fellows also attend a two-week orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which provides guidance for the congressional placement process, and participate in a yearlong seminar series on science and public policy issues. The American Association for the Advancement of Science administers these professional development activities for the APA fellows and for fellows sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.

APF will sponsor one Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellow for a one-year appointment beginning approximately August 30, 2027. The fellowship stipend is $93,750. In addition, the fellowship provides reimbursement for health insurance coverage and a $3,500 stipend for professional development.

Springfield was a clinical psychologist who was passionate about gay rights and the need to publicize the findings of psychological research, not only within the academic community, but to the public at large. Springfield believed that education and awareness are critical tools in the fight against stigma and prejudice. He received his PhD in clinical psychology at a time when homosexuality was still considered a mental illness and often said that his admission to his doctoral program was the only time he ever lied about his sexuality. Springfield passed away in April 2020 after a long illness and he was predeceased by his husband Peter MacNamara. Both of them were committed to APF, to the cause of gay rights, and to the two funds they established at APF, the Franklyn Springfield Research Fund and the FS LGBTQIA+ Awareness Fund. Springfield arranged for the funds to last at least fifty years, ensuring that the scholarships and publicity would have long-lasting impact.

To learn more about the fellowship experience please watch the 2021 presentation video.opens in new window

For questions, contact Ben Vonachen, APA Advocacy Office.

A prospective fellow must:

• Demonstrate excellence in scientific and/or professional psychology related to LGBTQIA+ populations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of policy issues.
• Have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to public policies.
• Be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics and be able to work cooperatively with individuals with diverse viewpoints.
• Commit to working full-time in an in-person office environment in Washington, D.C. with a schedule to be determined by their respective congressional office placement. Fellows may not pursue concurrent professional employment or volunteer opportunities that conflict with the schedules set by their congressional office placements.

An applicant must:

• Have a doctorate in psychology (from an APA accredited doctoral program and internship, if in the area of professional psychology) or related field by the application deadline.
• Be a psychologist, a member of APA (or applicant for membership), and a U.S. citizen. 

A special exception is made for current psychology interns who may apply with certification from the director of training in their doctoral program that they have met all but the internship requirement for their doctoral degree by the application deadline. 

Applicants may simultaneously apply for APA's Congressional Fellowships, Goldman Congressional Fellowship, and Executive Branch Science Fellowship.

A complete application must include the following:

• A completed online application. Submitting the application will require uploading and submitting the following materials electronically:
  1. A detailed curriculum vita providing information about educational background, professional employment and activities, professional publications and presentations, public policy and legislative experience, and committee and advisory group appointments.
  2. A statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interests in the fellowship, career goals, and what the applicant can contribute to and learn from the fellowship experience.
  3. A letter of recommendation to be uploaded and submitted by a recommender: Letters should specifically address the applicant’s ability to serve successfully on Capitol Hill as a congressional fellow. Applicants are responsible for forwarding the recommendation submission form to their recommenders.

For additional information about the fellowship, please contact Ben Vonachen, MA, Congressional Fellowship.

Current fellows

2025–26

Molly Below, PhD, MPH , is the 2025-26 Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellow, a position funded by the American Psychological Foundation for psychologists with an interest in LGBTQIA+ health and civil rights policy. She is working as a health policy fellow in the office of Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). Just prior to entering fellowship, Molly ran a private practice while completing a master of public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Before this she worked in the VA Boston Healthcare System for a decade. There she worked in residential and outpatient settings treating substance use and co-occurring disorders and addressing social issues such as homelessness. Her most recent role at VA was as program manager for the TRUST House, an all-women’s CWT/TR focused on assisting female-identifying Veterans in their mental health recovery and transition into housing, employment, and social support networks. She earned her doctoral degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is a past co-chair of the Psychologists in Public Service (APA Division 18) Policy and Advocacy Committee.

A large focus of Molly’s work at VA was on integration of social support and services with mental health treatment. Her transition from the VA toward policy was inspired by recognition of social and structural barriers to health that exist for low income and minoritized groups and limitations of mental health care in this context. Molly has a strong interest in social policies that impact health and well-being across the lifespan with a goal of improving health equity for marginalized groups. She is committed to taking public health and human rights approaches to her work, hoping to promote solutions that improve well-being for all and prioritize the needs of those at greatest risk of poor mental health outcomes.

Former Fellows

2024–25

Aaron Hunt, PhD

2024

Tiffany Chenneville, PhD