SPARK Award

We are excited to launch a new initiative that empowers our divisions to take an active role in advancing psychology’s global impact.

The 2026 pilot is seeking project proposals in work and organizational psychology, environmental psychology, and professional practice psychology. Projects may include applied research, pilot studies, community-based initiatives, educational programs, or other efforts that translate psychological science into meaningful real-world impact.

We encourage participation in this funding opportunity that supports innovative projects aligned with two of IAAP’s strategic goals:

Goal #1: Strengthen psychology’s influence on global development. 
Goal #2: Expand and diversify engaged membership.

This initiative provides up to $1,000 USD per division to fund applied psychology projects. Divisions may support one large project or several smaller ones, depending on the proposals received.

Project Categories

Proposals should fall into one of two categories:

• Research-Oriented Projects – These may include empirical research, pilot studies, or systematic reviews that advance applied psychology knowledge.
• Practice-Oriented Projects – These focus on real-world applications of psychological science, such as community-based interventions, educational programs, or applied skills training.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to individuals or teams. At least one applicant per proposal must be an IAAP member in good standing with current membership dues. Non-member collaborators are welcome on teams but must commit to joining IAAP if the project receives funding.

Each participating division will:

• Design and manage its own project selection process.
• Ensure proposals reflect both division priorities and IAAP’s broader mission.
• Launch selected projects in 2027.

Participation is voluntary, but all divisions are encouraged to join this exciting opportunity to support applied psychology in action.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is October 15, 2026.

Let’s innovate together. Let’s make an impact.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS