Wayne F. Placek Grants
Forecasted
Wayne F. Placek Grants support researchers studying sexual orientation and LGBTQIA+ experiences to increase public understanding and reduce stress, discrimination, and adversity affecting LGBTQIA+ people.
Funder: American Psychological Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Two grants of up to $15,000 each; funding for up to 12 months
Summary: Supports research that increases public understanding of sexual orientation and reduces stress and adversity experienced by LGBTQIA+ people.
Key Information: Applicants must be doctoral-level researchers or graduate students affiliated with an educational institution or 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization.
Description
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) administers the Wayne F. Placek Grants to advance public understanding of homosexuality and sexual orientation and alleviate stress experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. The program encourages research on heterosexuals’ attitudes and behaviors toward LGBTQIA+ people, including prejudice, discrimination, and violence; family and workplace issues; and the concerns of LGBTQIA+ populations historically underrepresented in scientific research.
Research concerning Black LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities is also a priority. The program includes the Wayne F. Placek Grant in Memorial of John Peterson, described for the 2025 awards as supporting psychological research on these communities conducted by scholars of color. The fund reflects Placek’s support for Evelyn Hooker’s research, which helped establish that homosexuality was not a form of psychopathology.
