Brief Statement about the Grant Program
The Norine Johnson, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Research Grant, offered annually by the
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy to Early Career Psychologists (within 10
years post earning the doctoral degree), provides $20,000 toward the advancement of
research on psychotherapy. All aspects of psychotherapy research can be supported,
including the psychotherapy relationship, psychotherapy process, or psychotherapy
outcomes.
Eligibility
Early Career (within 10 years post earning the doctoral degree) Doctoral-level
researchers with a successful record of publication and who are members of the Society
for the Advancement of Psychotherapy are eligible. The Research Committee reserves
the right not to award a grant if there are insufficient submissions or if submissions do
not meet the stated criteria.
Program Goals
- Advance understanding of psychotherapy (psychotherapy relationship, process, and/or outcomes) through support of empirical research
- Encourage early career researchers with a successful record of publication to undertake research in these areas
Funding Specifics
- One annual grant of $20,000 to be paid in one lump sum to the individual researcher, the researcher's university grants and contracts office, or an incorporated company. Indirect costs are not permitted. Individuals who receive funds directly may incur tax liabilities (see the IRS page on Grants to Individuals).
- A researcher may receive only one Johnson grant.
- The selection committee may elect to award the grant to the same individual or research team up to two consecutive years
- Funds will be disbursed by December 15 of the year in which the award is announced.
Evaluation Criteria
- Alignment with the program goals
- Coherence of theoretical formulation (as presented in the background section)
- Contribution to the literature
- Clinical implications (as presented in the Clinical Impact Statement)
- Method, procedure, and sample
- Appropriateness of data analysis
- Plan and timeline for completion
- Quality of writing
- Budget justification
- Applicant's competence to carry out the project
Required Components
Applicants must complete and submit the application only (do not submit additional
attachments, e.g., CV)
The application must include:
- A project description with title, goals, relevant background, target population, method, anticipated outcomes, and dissemination plans
- An abbreviated CV of the principal investigator focused on research activities
- A timeline for completion (priority is given to projects that can be completed within two years)
- A full budget with a justification clearly indicating how grant funds will be spent
Grant Terms and Conditions
- Within three months of receiving the award, recipients must submit a short project summary for the Society's website and Psychotherapy Bulletin.
- Recipients must submit a progress summary form every six months until the project is complete, followed by a brief final report summarizing the findings.
- Funds will be released upon documentation of IRB approval.
- Grant funds not spent on the project within two years of receipt must be returned.
- Publications resulting from the research must acknowledge the grant in the author note.
- Individuals who receive funds directly must complete an IRS W-9 form before funds are released and will receive a 1099 after the end of the fiscal year (December 31). Recipients outside the U.S. must complete the appropriate W-8 form (typically W-8BEN).
- Any substantive changes to the approved research plan, budget, or timeline must be reported to and approved by the Society in advance.
Submission Process
- Submit the single application file (no additional attachments) to Tracey A. Martin, Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (APA Division 29) Central Office: assnmgmt1@cox.net
- You will receive an electronic confirmation within 24 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, your proposal was not received; please resubmit.
- Submission deadline: March 1
2026 Recipient
Friederike Winter: Strengthening Personal Competences in psychotherapy Training (SPECT)
This study aims to evaluate a manualized training on personal competences in psychotherapy training as add-on training offered to clinical psychology graduate students, a population often burdened and vulnerable to stress. Major facets of personal competences in psychotherapists will be trained - among those the ability to self-reflect, to mentalize one’s own and other’s emotions, to be self-efficient in stress regulation, to know personal boundaries, and to practice self-care strategies.