APA Minority Fellowship Program

If you are a graduate student or early career professional in Div. 37 who is passionate about ethnic minority issues, then consider applying for the APA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) . The APA MFP includes numerous programs providing career development, training, and mentorship to help build multicultural competence within research and practice. APA MFP aims to improve the mental health and wellness of ethnic minority communities and increase the number of ethnic minority professionals in the field.

Programs include:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSAS) Predoctoral Fellowship

• Program for graduate students pursuing doctoral degree; financial support for education.
• Deadline: Jan. 15
  

Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSAS) Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Fellowship for early career professional pursuing a career in behavioral health services or policy; financial support for fellowship.
• Deadline: Jan. 15
  

Services for Transition Age Youth (STAY) Fellowship

• Fellowship for graduate students pursuing terminal master’s degree and serving transition age youth (16-25 years) and families; financial support for education.
• Deadline: December-January
  

Psychology Summer Institute (PSI)

• Week-long summer fellowship training in Washington, D.C., for doctoral students and early career doctoral recipients. Participants work on projects highlighting ethnic minority issues. Travel expenses covered.
• Deadline: May 1

Related to the goals and mission for Div. 37, the MFP Psychology Summer Institute provides advocacy training on Capitol Hill. I participated in the 2018 Psychology Summer Institute, and it was an excellent experience. It was empowering to participate in the advocacy training and then go to the offices of my senators and representatives to advocate for funding of multicultural training for behavioral health providers. We also advocated for reparations and treatment for children separated from their families at the U.S. border.

Being part of MFP also means you become part of the MFP family, and it truly felt this way when I was leaving after an intensive week of training and mentorship. The week involved guest speakers, poster sessions, grant workshops, networking opportunities, and community building. Being part of MFP expands your network of friends and colleagues who are diversity scholars and practitioners, and this is important for feeling supported along your career path. Ethnic minority applicants are encouraged to apply, but the program is also a welcoming space for allies dedicated to serving ethnic minority communities. Details about the application, programming, and mentors are provided on the MFP website. I highly recommend this experience, and I am happy to answer questions via email.