FAQ: APAGS/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship

I am currently writing my psychology PhD abroad and wondered if I could apply for this grant even if my PhD program is not based in the U.S. and I am not a U.S. citizen.

Yes and yes — as long as you are an APAGS member (not an international affiliate) and have not completed more than 12 months of a graduate education, you are eligible to apply.

I previously received this award. Am I eligible to apply again?

Previous recipients of each grant/award are not eligible to apply again.

I am a member of APAGS, but I am pursuing a doctoral degree in public policy. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, you are eligible to apply.

I am graduating soon. Am I still eligible to apply?

You are only eligible to apply if you are an incoming first-year or rising second-year student.

I have a graduate degree in a completely different field of study, am I eligible to apply?

Regardless of the program you were in, you must not have completed more than one year of graduate training in order to be eligible for the fellowship.

Do I need to have a specific research project to apply?

You do not need to formally state your research project. However, if you know what your specific project is (or the topic are), or are currently working on your project, you are encouraged include this information in your application materials.

I'm already underway on my research project, but I could still benefit from this grant. Am I eligible to apply?

You can still apply for the grant if your project is underway but will not be completed within the next year. Be sure to specify how the grant will help you complete your research.

Are current APAGS committee members eligible to apply for this grant?

Members of the full APAGS Committee — nine elected positions and five subcommittee chairs — cannot apply for any APAGS grants/scholarships. Additionally, former APAGS Committee members, subcommittee chairs and task force chairs are not eligible to apply. Furthermore, former APAGS subcommittee members or ad hoc reviewers who have previously reviewed this grant are not eligible. 

My grant application was not awarded. May I reapply? 

Yes, you may revise your application and resubmit in the next funding round only if you applied for this fellowship as an incoming first-year applicant.

For this section, "The research essay must not exceed three pages (single spaced) and any references, figures, tables or appendices must fit within the page limits," do I have to fit my references into the three pages along with the proposal and the budget?

The reference section does not have to fit into the research proposal section; it can go on a separate page. You should ensure that you follow APA guidelines regarding font size and margins; if any questions arise, please consult with the APAGS Science Subcommittee chair.

Does the application require institutional signatures or need to be submitted by a university's grants office?

The application does not require any institutional paperwork or official signatures. The student should submit the application themselves as a PDF file uploaded directly on the website.

How are the Junior Scientist Fellowship applications reviewed?

Applications are assigned to two to three independent reviewers who have general experience in the topic (identified using your title-page keywords) but without a conflict of interest. The reviewers generate scores based upon the strength of components of the application, including the personal statement, research statement and letter of recommendation per the NSF intellectual merit and broader impacts criteriaopens in new window. If the composite score (based upon multiple reviews) is very high then the proposal will be read and evaluated by the entire review committee. The review committee discusses the finalists and votes on the best grant applications.

Who reviews the Junior Scientist Fellowship?

Members of the APAGS Science Committee and the APAGS Committee may review the grants. APAGS reviewers consist of doctoral candidates who have published in premier scientific journals and received the most competitive science fellowships including the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship and the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award.

What criteria do reviews use when evaluating grant applications?

Grants are reviewed/scored based upon the consistency of the application aligned with the NSF criteriaopens in new window for intellectual merit and broader implications found. While CV's are not required for application, they are examined if they are submitted. However, CV's do not factor into the final scoring of the application. Broader information about what should be included in the personal and research statements is found on the fellowship website.

How can I become a reviewer for the APAGS Junior Scientist Fellowship?

Apply to become a member of the APAGS Science Committee. Being a member of the APAGS Science Committee is an excellent career development opportunity and gives you a chance to learn skills (such as grant reviewing) for which you may not otherwise gain experience during graduate school. Reviewing Junior Scientist Fellowship applications is one of our primary activities and we are always looking for energetic psychological scientists to join our group. If you are interested in serving on the APAGS Science Committee, please email for more information. Applications for committee positions are typically due in September.

Will I receive any feedback on my application?

All applicants for the Junior Scientist Fellowship will receive feedback on their applications. It is our hope that applicants will use this feedback to apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, or to apply for other grants in the future.

When can I expect to hear a decision regarding the status of my application?

You can expect a decision within 8-10 weeks after the deadline.

How may I use the grant funds?

Funds for this $1,000 fellowship must be used to support direct research costs. These funds can be used to pay participants, purchase essential equipment or software, acquire books or instruction manuals critical to one's line of research, pay fees to publish at open-access journals or for any other direct research cost. The funds cannot be used for indirect costs such as travel, personal computer or class textbooks. The funds can be used for any direct research costs in a student's first year (or second year, if submitting in the summer prior to one's first year) of graduate school and do not need to be limited to the research discussed in the research essay.

If awarded, how is the grant issued? What is the APA policy for facilities and administrative (F&A) costs on this type of funding?

It is at the student's discretion how he/she would like to receive the funds. The majority elect to receive the check directly. Some students can request the university administer the check on his/her behalf. APA does not have rules about F&A. If the check goes to the university to be administered then it is between the university and the student as to what they spend it on. If the check goes to the student, he/she should speak with a tax adviser. If they use the money for school/research expenses (as is required for the grant), it shouldn't be taxable.