Wayne F. Placek Grants

The Wayne F. Placek Grant is a funding initiative offered by the American Psychological Foundation (APF) to support psychological research that promotes greater public understanding of homosexuality and sexual orientation while alleviating stress experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Established in honor of Wayne F. Placek, a participant in Evelyn Hooker's groundbreaking 1950s studies that challenged the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness, the grant reflects Placek’s commitment to continuing that legacy. Since its inception in 1995, the Placek Fund has awarded over $1 million to research efforts in LGBTQIA+ studies. For the 2025 cycle, APF will award two Wayne F. Placek Grants of up to $15,000 each. One of these will be designated specifically as the Wayne F. Placek Grant in Memorial of John Peterson, reserved for psychological research conducted by scholars of color that addresses issues facing Black LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. This emphasis aligns with the fund's goal of uplifting underrepresented segments of the LGBTQIA+ population and supporting inclusivity within scientific inquiry. The program invites proposals that investigate heterosexual attitudes and behaviors toward LGBTQIA+ people—including prejudice, discrimination, and violence—as well as family and workplace dynamics. Research that addresses the concerns of historically underrepresented LGBTQIA+ groups, particularly Black LGBTQIA+ communities, is especially encouraged. Eligible applicants include doctoral-level researchers and graduate students affiliated with either an accredited educational institution or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization. APF strongly encourages submissions from individuals of diverse backgrounds in terms of race, age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and geography. Early career researchers and graduate students are particularly welcomed to apply. Applications must include a project proposal, project timeline, detailed budget with justification, and a curriculum vitae (CV). Evaluation criteria include the relevance of the proposed research to the Placek program’s goals, its potential incremental contribution to the field, the quality and innovation of the proposed methodology, and the applicant's demonstrated research competency. Applicants must submit their proposals via the GivingData portal, where they can also find detailed formatting and content instructions. APF does not provide feedback on applications. For additional questions, applicants may contact the APF Programs team at programs@ampsychfdn.org.