Top Scholarships for Psychology Graduate Students: Updated Guide for 2026-2027
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Psychology is one of the most popular degrees in the world. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 129,600 bachelor’s degrees in Psychology in various specializations are conferred annually.
After earning your undergraduate degree, paying for a master’s and a Ph.D. program is an overwhelming challenge. In this article, we review some of the most impactful scholarships for students, considering these programs, either due to the sheer magnitude of the scholarship prize or due to the low effort needed to be considered eligible.
March 2026 Deadline
The Melanie Foundation Graduate Scholarship
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship is awarded to graduate students who are pursuing a master’s degree or a doctorate in the mental health field. Candidates should be currently enrolled in a graduate program accredited by CACREP, APA, CSWE, or ACGME.
Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 5, 2026
Notification: By June 30, 2026
Applicants must demonstrate previous engagement in extracurricular, volunteer, or research activities related to mental health. Candidates may reapply for additional years.
Learn more: The Melanie Foundation | Scholarships.com listing
April 2026 Deadlines
APF Direct Action Visionary Grants
The American Psychological Foundation offers Direct Action Visionary Grants for innovative interventions that directly address pressing needs of communities, with special interest in supporting populations dealing with prejudice, bias, and intolerance.
Award Amount: Varies
Letters of Intent Deadline: April 30, 2026 (quarterly deadlines throughout the year)
Full Application Deadline: After LOI approval
Learn more: APF Direct Action Visionary Grants
Division 17 Counseling Psychology Grants
Deadline: April 10, 2026
Learn more: American Psychological Foundation
May 2026 Deadline
National Register of Health Service Psychologists Credentialing Scholarship
Students interested in starting their career as National Register credentialed Health Service Psychologists are encouraged to apply for the Credentialing Scholarships. This scholarship covers the application fee (a $225 value), allowing you to activate your credentials quickly. In addition to monetary gains, recipients also benefit from job opportunities, patient attraction, professional development, and networking.
Eligibility: Early career psychologists within 10 years of earning their doctoral degree
Deadline: May 15, 2026 (also November 15 annually)
Learn more: National Register Credentialing Scholarships
June 2026 Deadlines
F.J. McGuigan Dissertation Award
Applicants to the F. J. McGuigan Dissertation Award must have completed their doctoral candidacy with dissertation approval on topics related to mental function, including cognition, affect, and motivation. The research should seek to understand the mind from both a behavioral and neural perspective.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: June 5, 2026
Learn more: APF F.J. McGuigan Dissertation Award
APF/COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships
APF and the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP) jointly offer 21+ annual scholarship programs with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, with a deadline of June 26, 2026. Among the scholarships are:
- Harry and Miriam Levinson Scholarship – $5,000
- William and Dorothy Bevan Scholarship – $3,000
- Charles and Carol Spielberger Scholarship – $5,000
- Peter and Malina James & Dr. Louis P. James Legacy Scholarship – $5,000
- Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo Scholarship – $3,000
- William C. Howell Scholarship – $2,500
- Clarence J. Rosecrans Scholarship – $2,000
- Raymond K. Mulhern Scholarship – $2,000
- Dr. Judy Kuriansky Scholarship – $2,000
- Plus 12 additional $2,000 scholarships
Application requirements include nomination through a COGDOP member department, clarity and strength of research proposal, and academic performance and potential. Applicants who will use the scholarship for research purposes will be prioritized.
Learn more: APF COGDOP Graduate Student Scholarships | COGDOP Information
July 2026 Deadline
Marian R. Stuart Grant
Early career psychologists are welcome to apply for the competitive Marian R. Stuart Grant, which focuses on research about the connection between physical and mental health. Psychologists working in medical schools will be given preferential consideration.
Award Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: July 10, 2026 (anticipated)
Eligibility: Early career researchers no more than 10 years postdoctoral
Learn more: APF Marian R. Stuart Grant
2027 Deadline
The Rachel Tanur Prize for Visual Sociology
The Rachel Tanur Memorial Prize for Visual Sociology is designed to encourage undergraduate and graduate students in the social sciences to present their findings on social phenomena using photography as a visual medium.
Awards:
- First Place: $5,000 plus travel expenses to the ISA Forum of Sociology
- Second Place: $2,500
- Third Place: $1,500
Next Competition: 2027 (awarded biennially)
Learn more: Rachel Tanur Memorial Prize
Fall 2026 Deadlines
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The National Science Foundation’s GRFP provides three years of support for graduate students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM fields, including psychology (research-focused, not clinical).
Award Amount:
- $37,000 annual stipend
- $16,000 Cost of Education allowance
- Total anticipated funding: $159,000 over three years
Deadline: November 2026 (varies by field; Psychology typically mid-November)
Important Note: Clinical Psychology graduate degree programs are NOT eligible for NSF GRFP support. Only research-focused psychology programs qualify.
Learn more: NSF GRFP | NSF Program Solicitation
DoD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program
The DoD NDSEG Fellowship Program offers an extensive fellowship for students seeking doctoral degrees in cognitive, neural and behavioral sciences, among other fields of study. Selected fellows will receive three years of funding:
- Full tuition and mandatory fees
- $40,800 annual stipend (paid monthly)
- $5,000 travel budget over three-year tenure
- $1,400 annual health insurance allowance
Application Period: August 15 – November 17, 2026 (anticipated)
Learn more: NDSEG Fellowship Program | NDSEG Information
Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship
APF’s Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship program awards approximately $25,000 for graduate psychology students involved in child psychology and its research. Applications typically open in fall with a November deadline.
Award Amount: ~$25,000
Deadline: November 2026 (anticipated)
Applicants must have completed their doctoral candidacy while also having demonstrated a commitment to the field of child psychology. Special priority is given to students in child-clinical psychology, pediatric psychology, school psychology, and developmental psychopathology.
Learn more: APF Koppitz Fellowship
December 2026 Deadline
The SMART Scholarship Program
Funded by the Department of Defense, the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined academic and workforce development program for students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines, including cognitive, neural, and behavioral sciences.
Benefits:
- Full tuition to any regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Annual stipend: $30,000–$46,000 (depending on degree level)
- Summer research internships at DoD facilities
- Up to $2,500/academic year health insurance allowance
- Up to $1,000/academic year miscellaneous allowance
- Guaranteed DoD employment after graduation
Deadline: December 4, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Learn more: SMART Scholarship Program | Scholarships.com listing
Rolling Basis/Year-round Deadlines
APA Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The American Psychological Association offers a Predoctoral Fellowship in mental health and substance abuse services. Graduate students enrolled full-time in APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology are eligible to apply.
Benefits:
- Multi-year financial support
- Travel support
- Dissertation support and internship application assistance
- Access to professional development opportunities
Note: Applications for the 2026/2027 cohort are currently closed. Check the APA website for the next application cycle.
Learn more: APA Leadership Development Institute – MHSAS Fellowship
The F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
The US Army offers extensive scholarships for members pursuing advanced education and training in healthcare professions, including clinical psychology. Their scholarship programs are on a rolling basis.
The Clinical Psychology Internship Program is intended for active duty service members who have completed their Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree or a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology.
Benefits:
- Full tuition coverage
- Funding for school books, equipment and supplies
- Monthly stipend
- Up to $20,000 signing bonus
- Salary increases
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Rolling Information Sessions)
While the GRFP has specific annual deadlines, NSF hosts information sessions and workshops throughout the year to help prospective applicants prepare strong applications.
Learn more: NSF GRFP
Tips for Success
Finding scholarships intended for graduate psychology students is the easy part! Here are strategies to maximize your chances:
- Maintain APA and APF Memberships: Many top scholarships require membership in the American Psychological Association or American Psychological Foundation. Join early in your graduate program.
- Start Early: Begin researching scholarship opportunities during your graduate program application process, ideally six to twelve months before starting your program.
- Apply to Multiple Opportunities: There are no restrictions on applying to several scholarships simultaneously. Most students who successfully fund their education combine various sources.
- Consult Mentors: Speak with your academic advisors and mentors about related opportunities and ask them to review your applications.
- Attend Conferences: See what topics and lines of research are most successful within professional organizations. This is one of the best strategies for targeting a specific scholarship and preparing to win it.
- Meet All Deadlines: Set reminder alerts two weeks before each deadline and submit applications at least 48 hours early to address any technical issues.
Additional Resources
- American Psychological Foundation Funding
- APA Grants, Awards, and Funding
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists
- Psychology.org Scholarships Guide
GradSchoolCenter’s Helpful Resources
