Request for proposals to support teaching workshops

The APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) is pleased to announce a request for proposals to support teaching workshops. The goals of this program are to:

• Promote high-impact opportunities professional development for high school psychology teachers
• Increase the pool of psychologist educators who are aware of, and engaged in helping to meet, the needs of high school psychology teachers

$12,000 is available to support workshops for high school psychology teachers, with a preference for summer (June to August) workshops held at colleges or universities. The cap for any individual workshop will be determined based on the budget justification and available funds. A variety of models (e.g., single or multi-day programs, in-person, hybrid, or virtual) are eligible for support. Proposed workshops should last at least one full day (at least 6–8 hours). Applications that aim to recruit teachers on a local, regional, national, and/or international levels will be considered.  The cost of a one-day workshop is typically $4,000–$6,000, including travel support for at least one speaker. Higher funding to support participant travel stipends and/or on-campus housing may be requested for multi-day workshops.

As noted under “Eligibility,” the workshop must primarily be for high school psychology teachers. Participants may include, but should not be limited to, Advanced Placement (AP) psychology teachers.

Grant funding can be used to:

• Provide speaker fees/honoraria
• Support travel, meal, and lodging expenses (if applicable) for workshop participants and speakers (if the budget includes lodging, dorm use for participants is encouraged)
• Pay for administrative support
• Cover facilities or meeting room reservation costs
• Cover advertising or outreach efforts
• Support social events to promote networking
• Support workshop materials and/or promotional items (e.g., workshop t-shirts)

Funding for this program has been generously provided by the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund to Support Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools.

Resources for applicants 

Applicants are encouraged to consider reaching out to regional teaching networks to find or connect with area teachers. Applicants are welcome to contact APA staff (Emily Leary Chesnes or Beth Schwartz) or the 2025 TOPSS Committee chair (Natasha Alston) for suggestions of area teachers to collaborate with if needed. 

To be considered for funding, applications must meet the following criteria:

• The workshop must primarily be for high school psychology teachers. Participants may include, but should not be limited to, Advanced Placement (AP) psychology teachers.  
• The workshop must be directed by an APA member, associate, or affiliate. A high school teacher must be part of the workshop planning committee; it is encouraged that this teacher be a TOPSS member, but membership is not a requirement.  
• Funding must be requested by an APA member, associate, or affiliate.
• Funds must be used to support approved expenses as detailed on the “Description” tab and on the application form.

Applicants who receive funding must provide a summary evaluation of the outcomes of their workshop, such as participants’ workshop satisfaction and goal attainment, by December 31, 2026.

The deadline for applications is January 9, 2026. We encourage you to review the application form requirements (PDF, 151KB)opens in new window and the scoring rubric (PDF, 110KB)opens in new window with the criterion used to evaluate proposals to guide your proposal development.

Apply onlineopens in new window

For any questions regarding this program, please contact Emily Leary Chesnes or Beth Schwartz, PhD .