Fellowships for Residents and Early Career Psychiatrists

The APAF Fellowships are designed to work with a resident's training to produce the future leaders of Psychiatry. APAF Fellowships complement and enhance residency training by providing Fellows with:

• Mentorship from experts in the field
• Professional Development opportunities throughout he year and at the APA Annual Meeting
• A National Network of Support from their peers and APA Members

APA/APAF Fellowships produce well-rounded psychiatrists uniquely positioned to be leaders in the field. Alumni have risen to leadership positions within organized psychiatry and continue to innovate the field through their thought leadership. To submit an application, please click 'Dashboard' in the upper righthand corner.

SAMHSA Summer Medical Student Program

The APA Foundation Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Summer Medical Student Program (SMSP) provides medical students who are interested in serving underserved communities the experiential learning, training, and professional development they need to be leaders in the field of psychiatry.

The SMSP awards Medical Students with the following:

• $500 Textbook Allowance through APA Publishing
• Access to a curated learning pathway focusing on leadership development in the APA Learning Center
• Registration and Travel to the APA Annual Meeting Educational & Networking Opportunities with APA Leadership & APAF Fellows

Eligibility:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school. You must maintain your active enrollment status for the duration of the program
• Ability to commit to the duration of the program

Psychiatry Ambassadors & Student Scholars (PASS) Program

APA Foundation Psychiatry Ambassadors & Student Scholars program serves psychiatry residents and medical students with the opportunity to participate in spreading mental health awareness, to practice leadership and presentation skills, and to attend the 2026 APA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, LA.

Eligibility:

• Must be a member of the APA.
• Must be a psychiatric resident or medical student in good standing with your institution.
• Must not be receiving another APAF Award during the same award cycle. 

Requirements: 

• Must complete the initial application form and meet all eligibility requirements.
• Must review the orientation materials and give a presentation in accordance with APAF expectations (as outlined in the orientation materials).
• Must submit a completed presentation verification form which includes information about the presentation, your signature, and that of your program/training director.
• Must submit 2 photographs (minimum) which capture you, the audience, and the presentation itself. 

The PASS program awards its participants with the following: 

• At the 2026 APA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, LA:
  • Free registration to attend the APA Annual Meeting.
  • Free lodging for up to 3 nights at a hotel designated by the PASS program.
  • Opportunities to attend lectures, networking events, and professional development activities; connect with peers, mentors, and leaders in psychiatry; explore career pathways; and gain exposure to key issues in the field. 

APA Foundation Awards

Each year the APA Foundation honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to the field of psychiatry or the impact of their work in improving the lives of people with mental illness. To submit an application, please click 'Dashboard' in the upper righthand corner.

The 2026 APAF Awards application cycle will open in May. If you have any questions, please email APAFAwards@psych.org.

Awards for Individuals
Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Prevention (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has made significant contributions to the prevention of mental disorders in children and adolescents and influenced the general well-being of young people.
Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement (Apply | Learn More)	Honors a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has been noted for outstanding contributions to the advancement of child and adolescent psychiatry in activities such as teaching, research, writing, clinical care, advocacy, and policy.
Simon Bolivar Award (Apply | Learn More)	Honors a prominent advocate for Hispanic mental health.
John Fryer Award (Apply | Learn More)	Honors an individual whose work has contributed to the improvement of mental health of sexual minority communities.
Solomon Carter Fuller Award (Apply | Learn More)	Honors an individual who has pioneered in an area that has significantly benefited the quality of life of black people.
Hartford-Jeste Award for Future Leaders in Geriatric Psychiatry (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes an early-career geriatric psychiatrist who has made noteworthy contributions to geriatric psychiatry through excellence in research, teaching, clinical practice, and community service and has demonstrated the potential to develop into a leader in the field.
Jack Weinberg Memorial Award in Geriatric Psychiatry (Apply | Learn More)	Honors a psychiatrist who over the course of his or her career has demonstrated special leadership or has done outstanding work in clinical practice, training, or research into geriatric psychiatry.
Jeanne Spurlock, M.D. Minority Fellowship Achievement Award (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes the achievements of former fellows of the Minority Fellowships who have made (or are making) significant contribution(s) to the profession and/or the minority community.
Oskar Pfister Award (Apply | Learn More)	Honors an outstanding contributor in the field of psychiatry and religion.
O'Leary Award for Innovation in Psychiatry (Apply | Learn More)	Provides seed money to launch innovative ideas in the field of mental and behavioral health.
Kun-Po Soo Award (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions toward understanding the impact and importance of Asian cultural heritage in areas relevant to psychiatry.
Alexandra Symonds Award (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes a psychiatrist who has made significant contributions to promoting women's health and the advancement of women.
George Tarjan Award (Apply | Learn More)	Honors a physician who has made significant contributions to the enhancement of the integration of international medical graduates into American psychiatry.
Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award (Apply | Learn More)	Recognizes the extraordinary efforts of individuals to promote the human rights of populations with mental health needs by bringing attention to their work.

Awards for Organizations

Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health (Apply | Learn More)

Recognizes community organizations that have undertaken innovative and supportive efforts to: Raise awareness in underserved minority communities about mental illness including the need for early recognition, access to and the availability of treatment, and the cultural barriers to treatment. Increase access to quality mental health services for underserved minorities. Improve the quality of care for underserved minorities, particularly those in the public health system or with severe mental illness.

APA Grants

Helping Hands Grant

The Helping Hands Grants Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to medical schools for mental health and substance use disorder projects, particularly in under-served minority communities. Funded projects are created and managed by medical students and can be conducted in partnership with community agencies, or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities.

Grant Applications accepted from February to May each year.

MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grant

The MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program was established in 2021 by American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Division of Diversity and Health Equity and APA Foundation (APAF) to support community organizations that have undertaken innovative awareness programs and/or have provided services to improve the mental health of young people of color.

The MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program awards will be in the total amount of $10,000 for a two-year funding period contingent on the first year being successfully completed.

To submit an application, please click 'Dashboard' in the upper righthand corner.

APA Fellows Alumni Directory

The APA Foundation is pleased to launch a new Alumni Directory for APAF Fellows. This initiative is an opportunity for all APAF Fellowship Alumni to reconnect with each other. Please note:

• The Alumni Directory will be accessible to alums and current Fellows only.
• Alumni can search for other alums by categories such as name, fellowship, and fellowship year.
• Alumni can select to hide or display their information in the directory.
• Use of information or communications available through the directory for any commercial, public, or political purposes is prohibited.

We will be adding more features to the alumni directory soon.