The fellows portal is now open. (See How to apply for more information.) What better way to recognize the members of your division than to encourage them to apply? Fellow status signifies they have been recognized by their peers, the division, and APA as having done unusual and outstanding work in the field of psychology on a national or international level.
We challenge you as division leaders to collaborate with your division fellows chair and make it a priority to recognize at least 1–2 members of your division who are not already fellows and encourage them to apply.
You can begin by reviewing the APA fellows website to learn more about the process and timeline. Look at your member roster to see which members are not already fellows. There will be names on that list that you will be surprised to learn are not already a fellow. Often, people you know who have done phenomenal and groundbreaking work in the field are not fellows. Now is the time to encourage them to apply.
Benefits of becoming a fellow
- Professional recognition: Honors outstanding contributions to the field of psychology and affirms your expertise, reputation, and dedication.
- Peer acknowledgment: Offers meaningful recognition from colleagues, affirming your impact and leadership in the profession.
- Career advancement: Strengthens candidacy for promotions, leadership roles, and institutional support. Some organizations even provide financial or professional incentives.
- Inspiration and mentorship: Serves as a model of excellence for students, early career psychologists, and underrepresented voices in the field.
- Field-wide impact: Elevates the importance of psychology as a profession and reinforces the influence of your specialty area within practice and research.
- Division recognition: Reflects positively on your APA Division, showcasing its role in advancing the field through the achievements of its members.
- Leadership engagement: Encourages the involvement of diverse and emerging psychologists in shaping the future of APA.
Current fellows
Current fellows are APA members who are already fellows in at least one division and may also become fellows in another division without approval from the APA Fellows Committee. You can also review your roster to determine which members of your division are APA fellows but not a fellow of your division. Recognizing members who are already fellows is also a way to highlight those members work in your division as well. The deadline for submitting the names of current fellows to APA is July 1 each year.
Helpful tips for divisions
- Review your division roster for members who are not fellows and members who are fellows in other divisions.
- Post your fellows chair contact information on your website.
- Post your call for nominations on your website and listservs.
- Post the deadline when nominations are due for your divisions.
- Share the message Applying for APA Initial Fellow Status: Where to Begin?opens in new window
If you have any questions about getting a roster or the process, please contact Sonja Wiggins, the Fellows Committee liaison.