Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence
PATHWAYS TO JUST PEACE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Program Overview
The Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence (Division 48 of the American Psychological Association) invites applications for the Pathways of Just Peace Small Grants Program. This program supports research, educational initiatives, and community projects that advance the principles of justice as an essential foundation for peace. We believe that genuine and lasting peace can only emerge from the pursuit of justice. Justice requires dismantling systems of oppression, addressing historical inequalities, and fostering transformative processes that repair harm and foster self-determination.
Through this program, we offer support and stand in solidarity with individuals and communities impacted by violence (direct, structural, cultural and epistemic), armed conflict, occupation, persecution, and environmental catastrophes worldwide. We recognize the profound struggles people face and honor their resilience, with the hope that these grants will contribute to their efforts toward resistance, healing, and transformation.
Our commitment is to foster the development of peace psychology as a pathway to achieve justice, equity, and sustainable peace through research, education, and community-based initiatives. For example, a Research Initiative might investigate the connections between structural injustice and intergroup relations or examine the psychosocial impacts of state violence, authoritarian regimes, and militarization; an Educational Initiative might involve developing curricula that incorporate decolonial perspectives in peace psychology or produce materials on the intersections of climate justice and peace; a Community-based Initiative might involve transformative justice programs that address the legacies of colonial violence or participatory initiatives that amplify marginalized voices in the struggles for justice.
We invite applications from researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide, prioritizing projects that ensure that those most harmed by injustices are at the center of the work. While all relevant topics are welcome, we are especially interested in projects that embrace decolonial and decolonizing approaches, tackle the global rise of fascism and authoritarianism, and challenge the widespread impact of the military-industrial complex.
In offering these grants, we reaffirm our belief in the transformative power of peace psychology to confront injustice and contribute to sustainable peace. Together, we can envision and strive towards peace – not as an abstract ideal, but as a lived, embodied process rooted in justice, liberation, and collective thriving.
Awards Details
· What size grant is available? Grants are between $300 and $5,000. Since funding is modest, we will consider supporting specific segments of larger projects. In such cases, applicants must provide an overview of their larger project, while clearly delineating which specific components they are seeking funding for through this grant.
· What is the timeframe of the award? The maximum grant period is up to 18 months starting from the announcement of awards.
· What expenses are eligible for funding through this grant? Grant funding may be used for a range of project expenses such as project-related travel (other than to conferences and conventions), staff, clerical assistance, materials, postage, and other budgeted expenses approved by the Small Grants Committee.
· What expenses are NOT eligible for funding through this grant? Grant funding may not be used for institutional charges for administration of the grant, travel to conferences or conventions, stipends for principal investigators or project directors, or living expenses while conducting the project.
· Who is eligible to apply? Applications are welcome from individuals and organizations worldwide. We especially encourage submissions from those engaged in grassroots work and social movements, as well as early career scholars and practitioners. There are no geographic restrictions on eligibility. Applicants must be members of Division 48 (which does not require membership in the American Psychological Association): http://peacepsychology.org/join-apadiv48.
· Who is not eligible?
Individuals/groups who have received an APA Division 48 grant within the three-year period
Current members of the Division 48 Small Grants Program
Current members of the Division 48 Executive Committee
· What is the award decision timeframe? Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm on June 15, 2025 (Eastern Time), with decisions announced on or before August 1, 2025.
Information Sessions
To support prospective applicants, we will host 1 or 2 information sessions in April (dates to be determined). These sessions will provide an overview of the grant application process, will share available resources, and will offer an opportunity for prospective applicants to ask questions. Details about session dates, times, and registration will be announced shortly.
Past Awardees
List of Division 48 Small Grant Awardees 2018 to 2024
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by completing this form: https://bit.ly/2025-grant-app-form.
I. You will be asked to enter the following information in the form:
Applicant Name (Provide full name of person who will serve as project lead (of education or community project) or primary investigator (of research project).
Applicant Email
Is the applicant a member of Division 48?
Career Stage of Project Lead/Primary Investigator
List other project team members (if any): First Name Last Name, Role in Project
Project Title
Project Type: Research/Education/Community Application/Other
Project Location
Proposed Timeline for Project: Provide dates of expected project initiation, implementation, and completion (Note: Maximum grant period is 18 months)
Funding Request Amount
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Status
Will the applicant be the designated grant funding recipient?
Grant Funding Recipient Information: Provide full name, address, phone number, and email of individual, organizational, institutional contact person/department receiving the grant check on the applicant's behalf if the project is funded. This may be the applicant or an eligible fiduciary.
II. You will be asked to UPLOAD the following documents to the form.
1. Cover letter that includes:
· Name(s), address, phone, e-mail
· Who you are and what you do
· Proposal title, brief description, and significance
Format: No more than 1 page (single-spaced). The cover letter may also be submitted as alternative media such as video/slide presentation/image.
2. Current curriculum vitae or résumé of Project Leader(s) or Primary Investigator
3. Proposal Narrative that includes the following sections:
· Brief description of the proposed project
· Purpose of the proposed project and expected benefits for the target population
· Potential contribution of the project to the field of peace psychology
· Timeline for initiation, implementation, and completion of the project
· Plan for the evaluation of the project
· Itemized budget for requested amount of funding (If using local currency, please include dollar amounts).
· Qualifications and experience of applicant(s) relevant to the project, identifying career stage of principal applicant (student, early career, mid-career, or late career).
· References or works cited (not included in the page count).
Format: The proposal must be submitted as a document in Microsoft Word or PDF format, not exceeding 5-7 double-spaced, typed pages using 1” margins and Times New Roman 12-point font. References or works cited are not included in the page count.
Evaluation Criteria
When evaluating proposals, the committee will consider the proposed project’s purpose, feasibility, and potential for advancing the goals of just peace within the timeframe and budget stated in the grant proposal. Key evaluation criteria include:
Centering justice as a foundation for peace, particularly focusing on efforts to dismantle systems of oppression and address historical inequalities.
Centering the perspectives of and/or direct involvement of communities most impacted by injustice.
Clear articulation of how the work engages with and/or addresses various forms of violence (direct, structural, cultural, and epistemic).
Potential contribution to research, education, and/or community-based transformation.
We recognize that...
Working toward just peace is complex, long-term, and interconnected with many ongoing initiatives. Local partners best understand their communities’ needs, challenges, and realistic timelines. Rather than expecting transformative change within a single grant period, we aim to meaningfully support ongoing and new efforts. Applications should clearly show how the proposed activities advance your broader vision of just peace.
Each project’s approach will vary based on local context, community needs, and the specific issues being addressed. Meaningful work can take many forms – from academic research to grassroots organizing to educational initiatives. We welcome this pluralism and encourage applicants to articulate how their approaches align with our program’s core values, understanding there is no single path to advancing just peace.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Small Grants Committee Chair:
Dr. Urmitapa Dutta