In 2017, inspired by discussion during the Increasing Diversity and Inclusiveness symposium at the 2017 Convention, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology launched the Community Building Grant Program.
SPSP members can apply to use these funds in their efforts to develop community and professional development among members of groups currently underrepresented in the field (including gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and race, disability, and other underrepresented statuses).
Description
SPSP seeks to provide small grants to support personality and social psychologists at all levels. This financial support is intended to assist SPSP members from underrepresented groups in their efforts to develop and host meetings to build community and develop professional skills. Examples could include dinner with an invited speaker, sharing and critiquing job materials, workshopping papers, skills building workshops, building new networks, and other community building activities.
Community Building support is not to be used for individuals to attend the SPSP Convention, preconferences, speaker honorariums, or awards.
Grants may be awarded for an amount up to $2,000. Larger or more formal meetings/conferences should apply for the small conference grant.
Eligibility
To apply for the Community Building Grant, applicants must be members of SPSP with current membership in good standing at time of application.
Evaluation
Your application will be evaluated based on its unique merit and capacity to promote and grow one of our underrepresented communities (including but not limited to: gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and race, disability).
Preference will be given to application that 1) build community (expanding participants’ professional networks) and professional development skills. 2) include activities that develop or build new communities within SPSP, and 3) serve undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or junior scholars. Priority will also be given to applications that are not continuations of formerly funded Community Catalyst Grants though past grantees may still apply.
Rider on Use of Funds
Funds will be made available in one of two ways:
1) Directly payable to another hosting/sponsoring entity OR the recipient’s university. If this method is chosen, a W9 from the payee will be required. Under this arrangement, SPSP is a sponsor and will not be legally or financially responsible for the conference and no contract should be signed under the auspice of SPSP, Inc.
2) Funds hosted at SPSP. If this method is chosen, SPSP will be the host of the meeting and will assume contractual responsibility, including financial, legal and tax responsibility. Organizers will maintain control of the program content and will work with SPSP staff on budgets/contracts.
In either payment scenario, if the conference does not occur within 12 months of award, the funds must be returned to SPSP.
How to Apply
Applications are annually: the deadline is June 1.