K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant

The K. Anders Ericsson Dissertation Research Grant is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the American Psychological Foundation (APF). This annual grant program is named in honor of the late K. Anders Ericsson, a preeminent psychologist renowned for his contributions to the study of expertise and skill acquisition. The grant seeks to continue his legacy by supporting doctoral-level dissertation research that explores and expands on the expert performance approach and the impacts of deliberate practice. Ericsson’s research has influenced numerous fields, from music and sports to medicine and education, and this grant invites applicants to investigate these concepts across diverse domains. The primary objective of the grant is to advance the scientific understanding of how expertise is developed and maintained. The funder places particular emphasis on projects that utilize process tracing methods or adopt the expert-performance approach. Proposals that integrate deliberate practice frameworks to analyze superior skill in any domain are especially encouraged. The thematic scope is broad, encompassing all research focused on skill acquisition and expert performance, provided the methodology aligns with the program’s central goals. The grant provides a single award of $11,000 to support eligible research activities. Funds may be used to cover research-related expenses, including data collection, participant compensation, software, or travel for data gathering or conference presentations directly tied to the dissertation. The APF does not outline any matching or cost-sharing requirements. This award is tailored for students nearing the end of their doctoral programs and preparing to complete dissertation work. Applicants must be graduate students actively working on their dissertations at the time of submission. The program emphasizes inclusivity and encourages applications from diverse demographic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. Applicants must submit a complete application via the APF's GivingData portal. Required materials include a dissertation abstract, a detailed timeline for completion, a comprehensive budget with justification, and a current curriculum vitae (CV). The submission deadline for the 2026 cycle is October 30, 2026. All materials must conform to the formatting and content standards provided in the online application portal. The APF strongly advises applicants to thoroughly review the portal instructions before submission. Inquiries regarding the application process can be directed to APF Programs at [email protected]. Applications are evaluated on three primary criteria: the impact and innovation of the proposed research, the quality and rigor of the dissertation project, and the alignment of the project with the program’s overall goals. The APF emphasizes that it does not provide individual feedback to applicants. However, applicants are encouraged to consult the program’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for additional guidance. The grant is awarded on an annual basis. The 2026 award will be granted to one recipient, with past recipients including graduate students from top-tier research institutions. For example, a recent awardee, Yuexing Hao from Cornell University, conducted research on enhancing prostate cancer patient education through chatbot-based interventions. This award serves as a prestigious recognition for emerging scholars in the psychological sciences and related disciplines focused on the science of expertise.

Clearly align proposal with program goals and demonstrate the innovation and impact of the dissertation research.