John and Polly Sparks Grant for Rural First-Responders Mental Health Interventions

The John and Polly Sparks Grant for Rural First-Responders Mental Health Interventions is offered through the American Psychological Foundation in collaboration with the John and Polly Sparks Foundation. This funding initiative supports psychologists engaged in evidence-based research and the dissemination of mental health training to first responders situated in rural settings. The primary goal of the grant is to bolster mental health resources and intervention strategies that can be applied and scaled across similar rural environments. This program is dedicated to promoting innovative and impactful research by psychologists. It aims to identify interventions that are both effective and replicable, with a strong preference for projects that can be expanded through subsequent funding. The foundation emphasizes the importance of a “multiplier effect,” whereby the initial grant funding can be used to attract additional resources to broaden the reach and impact of the supported project. Applicants are expected to submit proposals that demonstrate a clear contribution to the mental health field, particularly in rural first-responder contexts. To be eligible for this grant, applicants must possess a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field. The program strongly encourages applications from individuals representing diverse backgrounds across various dimensions including race, age, religion, nationality, gender, ability, and geographical location. The grant fosters inclusive participation to ensure a broad spectrum of perspectives and expertise in the research process. Applicants must prepare and submit several required documents, including a comprehensive project proposal, a timeline for implementation, a detailed budget with justification, and a current curriculum vitae. Applications are reviewed based on their alignment with the grant's objectives, the applicant's qualifications and past accomplishments, as well as the project’s overall quality, originality, and potential for significant impact within the field. Applications are to be submitted online via the GivingData portal, which contains full instructions regarding formatting and submission requirements. While APF offers support through its program contact email, it does not provide individualized feedback to applicants regarding their proposals. The submission deadline for the 2025 grant cycle is October 23, 2025. The total amount of funding available is $68,000, which will be distributed across two grants of $34,000 each. Past recipients include Drs. Vincent Pignatiello and Jason Frederick of Antioch University, who were awarded for their work on “Mindfulness-Based Wellness for First Responders.”