Wayne F. Placek Grants

The Wayne F. Placek Grant, administered by the American Psychological Foundation (APF), supports psychological research aimed at enhancing the general public’s understanding of homosexuality and sexual orientation. Established through the bequest of Wayne F. Placek, a participant in the pioneering research of Evelyn Hooker, the fund seeks to alleviate the societal stress experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Placek, who identified as a gay man, was deeply inspired by Hooker’s groundbreaking work in the 1950s, which contributed to the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Upon his death, he entrusted his entire estate to Hooker with explicit instructions to use the funds for scientific research that would improve public understanding and reduce stigma toward LGBTQIA+ communities. Since its inception in 1995, the Wayne F. Placek Fund has distributed over $1 million in grants to researchers investigating key issues facing LGBTQIA+ populations. The grant supports studies on a variety of topics, including societal attitudes and behaviors toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, experiences of discrimination, and violence. It also encourages research into family and workplace dynamics, as well as the specific needs and concerns of underrepresented subpopulations within the LGBTQIA+ community. A particular emphasis is placed on work that explores issues affecting Black LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. One of the two grants awarded each cycle, named in memorial of John Peterson, is reserved specifically for this purpose and must be conducted by scholars of color. This focus aims to address gaps in existing research and ensure that the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum are meaningfully included. Applicants must be either graduate students or doctoral-level researchers affiliated with an academic institution or a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization. APF explicitly welcomes applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, emphasizing inclusivity in terms of age, race, religion, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender, and geography. Early-career researchers and graduate students are especially encouraged to apply, underscoring APF’s commitment to supporting emerging scholars in the field of psychology. Applications must be submitted via APF’s GivingData platform. Required components include a detailed project proposal, a proposed timeline, a budget with justification, and a curriculum vitae. APF advises applicants to review the full set of submission instructions within the GivingData portal, where formatting and content guidelines are provided. In case of technical difficulties with the portal, applicants are advised to contact [email protected] for assistance to ensure they do not miss the submission deadline. The review process evaluates submissions based on their alignment with the Placek Grant’s goals, the potential contribution of the research, the significance and innovation of the project, and the demonstrated research competence of the applicant. Notably, APF does not offer individualized feedback on applications. The final deadline for the current funding cycle is June 12, 2026, and two grants of up to $15,000 each will be awarded. Though the grant does not explicitly state recurrence, the historical list of past recipients dating back to 1995 and the consistent annual awarding pattern suggest that this is a recurring opportunity. The next cycle is projected for June 2027, and internal re-evaluation of the opportunity is recommended by January 1, 2027, to confirm new cycle details.