Since 1953, the American Psychological Foundation has provided financial support to researchers and programs in all disciplines of psychology. The foundation has a number of grants that are quite competitive and go to supporting up-and-coming psychological researchers and students. While many of the grants are not tailored directly to forensic psychology, often the guidelines are vague enough to merit a wide range of research applicants from any discipline of psychology. Some examples of the grants it provides are the Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation Fellowship, which provides $20,000 to projects and studies benefiting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and the Wayne F. Placek Grant of $15,000 to research in all fields of the behavioral and social sciences related to lesbian, gay or bisexual issues. The foundation also offers general graduate research scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The American Academy of Forensic Psychology offers dissertation grants in the field of applied law and psychology each year. The award is small, a maximum of $1,500 will be paid per applicant--up to a total of $5,000--for graduate students conducting dissertations. A committee of AAFP chooses the grant applicant based on the potential contribution of the dissertation to the field, the quality of the proposal and the applicants financial need. The AAFP shows preference to applicants addressing clinical-forensic issues and the grant can be used to cover dissertation costs such as photocopying, travel reimbursement, mailing expenses or subject compensation. Awards cannot be used to cover tuition or related academic fees.
Many students who earn a degree in forensic psychology often follow it with a degree in law. The American Psychology Law Society website hosts a list of universities with joint degrees focused in law and psychology, including programs in forensic psychology. But paying for law school can be a greater challenge.
Since its establishment, the American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship has paid more than 160 students up to $15,000 each of its three years in more than 50 law schools. Applicants come from a wide range of disciplines. The scholarship was established during the term of ABA president William G. Paul to encourage racially and ethnically diverse students to apply to and attend law school. If you're interested in being a forensic psychologist or have a degree in forensic psychology, law school could be a key step.