Division 49 Richard Moreland Dissertation of the Year Award
Forecasted
Division 49 Richard Moreland Dissertation of the Year Award supports early-career psychologists by honoring outstanding dissertation research on group phenomena across any methodology or type of group.
Funder: American Psychological Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: One $1,000 award, a plaque, and a three-year Division 49 membership
Summary: Recognizes high-quality dissertation research on any group phenomenon, using any methodology and studying any type of group.
Key Information: Self-nominations only; dissertations must have been completed during the current calendar year.
Description
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) and APA Division 49 sponsor this award to recognize outstanding dissertation research on group phenomena. Listed among APF’s opportunities for early-career psychologists, the award has a broad research scope: dissertations may explore any group phenomenon, use any methodology, and investigate any type of group. Evaluation focuses on dissertation quality and alignment with the program’s goals.
Division 49, the Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy, advances group psychology and group psychotherapy through research, teaching, education, and clinical practice. Past winning dissertations illustrate the award’s breadth, addressing team compassion and innovation, identity-focused group interventions, peer factors and aggressive behavior, group therapy for pain, and workplace gossip. The winner is announced and the prize conferred at the annual APA convention.
