New Grants to Promote Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility through ACPE

The 2025 ACPE Foundation Grants Cycle is now open!

The ACPE Foundation is excited to announce our expanded grants program to support initiatives that advance justice, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within ACPE.

Through the generosity of our donors and prudent management over the years, the ACPE Foundation endowment has grown so that we now have significantly more funds available to support strategic priority areas for ACPE. This is our third year offering this grants initiative.

This year, the Foundation will grant up to $221,000 to support projects that align with ACPE’s commitment to be an anti-bias organization, and that advance ACPE’s leadership as the gold standard in spiritual care & education.

Winter Deadline Funding Opportunities

Christopher Brown CEC Ignite Grant (Up to $120,000):
Applications Due December 1

Purpose: Named in honor of the late Rev. Christopher Brown, a beloved ACPE Certified Educator who was passionate about ACPE’s Certification process and commitment to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, the Christopher Brown Certified Educator Candidate (CEC) Ignite Grants Program seeks to support the development of ACPE Certified Educator Candidate (CEC) programs, to facilitate the certification of more diverse ACPE educators, and to help new CEC programs move towards sustainability.

Awards will be for three years: Year 1=Up to $60,000; Year 2=Up to $40,000; Year 3=Up to $20,000

Eligibility: All ACPE centers in good standing accredited to provide CEC programs, and that have at least one National Faculty member on staff or under contract and, have not had a CEC in at least the last three years.

Application Criteria:

ACPE members are invited to submit proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Funded projects will have goals demonstrably consistent with the mission/vision/values and Strategic Initiatives of ACPE.
• Advance justice, equity, diversity, and equity in ACPE programs, centers, and/or among members.
• Programs may be located in any ACPE accredited setting.
• Programs do not have to identify a CEC candidate prior to applying for and/or (if awarded) receiving funds; however, funds will not be released until a CEC has been fully accepted into a Center’s program.
• Programs must demonstrate financial commitment for a CEC to complete their program.
• Programs that emphasize CEC learning and development will be given preference.
• Preference will be given to programs that seek to maintain the CEC program after the ACPE Foundation funding ends.

Upon receipt of a grant, recipients agree to provide the ACPE Foundation with interim reports describing the use of funds and CEC progress. Programs will be encouraged to publish their learnings in ACPE publications.

Click Here to Apply for the Christopher Brown CEC Ignite Grant

Innovation in Spiritual Care Education & Research (Up to $30,000):
Applications Due December 1

Purpose: The Innovation in Spiritual Care Education & Research Grants Program strives to support creative and sustainable new models of the practices of CPE and professional spiritual care in diverse, inclusive, and equitable settings and/or to improve and deepen understanding of current models through research that will add to the evidence and efficacy for professional spiritual care.

Eligibility: ACPE Accredited or Pre-Accredited Centers in good standing; ACPE Psychotherapists; and Spiritual Care Professionals in good standing; ACPE Certified Educators and Certified Educator Candidates in good standing.

Application Criteria:

• Funded projects will have goals demonstrably consistent with the mission/vision/values and Strategic Initiatives of ACPE.
• Advance justice, equity, diversity, and equity in ACPE programs, centers, and/or among members. Preference will be given to projects that extend the efforts of ACPE to
• develop innovative, experimental, and prophetic programs extending CPE into new and atypical settings and new or underrepresented participant groups.
• Conduct research projects to advance professional spiritual care and education with attention to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion issues within ACPE. Projects that test new pastoral theology, education or spiritual care concepts and methodologies will also be considered.
• Strong consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a funding commitment from multiple sources (i.e. the ACPE Foundation is not the only entity from which you are requesting funding).
• Partnership with other institutions/organizations encouraged.
• Funding requests should be for "seed money," not ongoing operating funds. Grant funds are awarded for one year. Projects may apply for and potentially receive funds annually for no more than three consecutive years. Proposals should indicate the specific uses for which the funds are sought and how the funds are to be administratively managed.
• The project proposal should state how success will be measured, including specific measures to be used and reported.
• Funds will not be authorized for construction or durable hardware (such as computers).

Preference will be given to research project grants that:

• Have both a junior and seasoned researcher as part of the team to build research literacy across the spiritual care & education field;
• Build upon prior research or advance new evidence of the efficacy of professional spiritual care;
• Show measurable impact; and/or can be replicated across ACPE centers or spiritual integrated psychotherapy practices;
• Are cost-effective, and demonstrate a funding commitment from multiple sources (i.e., the ACPE Foundation is not the only entity from which you are requesting funding).

If awarded a grant, recipients agree to provide the ACPE Foundation with a mid-term and final report. Results of all studies will be included as resources for ACPE members.

Click Here to Apply for the Innovation in Spiritual Care Education & Research Grant

Mission Advancement Program (MAP) Fund for Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Projects (up to $15,000):
Applications Due December 1

Purpose: Funded by disbursements of the MAP Endowment Fund as in accordance with the ACPE Foundation’s financial policy, MAP funding supports ACPE Psychotherapist and Practitioner members in the fulfillment of ACPE’s mission. Specifically, these projects help to advance and raise awareness of Pastoral Counselling/Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy.

Eligibility: ACPE Psychotherapists and Spiritual Care Professionals in good standing

Application Criteria:

• Funded projects will have goals demonstrably consistent with the mission/vision/values and Strategic Initiatives of ACPE.
• Advance justice, equity, diversity, and equity in ACPE programs, centers, and/or among members
• The project should lead to an advance in awareness and open new avenues of development for Pastoral Counseling/Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (PC/SIP). Examples include:
  • Increased awareness by religious bodies and/or values orienting systems of the mission, social concern, scope, and insights of PC/SIP,
  • Increased awareness across the spectrum of service/helping professions of the nature, capability, and availability of PC/SIP,
  • Increased awareness by the general public of PC/SIP.

• The project should contribute to the recruitment and/or development of pastoral counselors, spiritually integrated psychotherapists, and/or other psychotherapists and mental health professionals.
• The project should address how it is functionally and operationally sustainable and/or leads to a plan that is financially sustainable. Proposals should indicate the specific uses for which the funds are sought and how the funds are to be administratively managed.
• The project proposal should state how success will be measured, including specific measures to be used and reported.
• Strong consideration will be given to projects that are cost-effective and demonstrate a funding commitment from multiple sources (i.e., the Foundation for ACPE MAP Fund is not the only entity from which you are requesting funding).
• Funding requests should not exceed $15,000, and should be for "seed money," not ongoing operating funds. Grant funds are awarded for one year. Projects may apply for and potentially receive funds annually for no more than three consecutive years.
• Proposals should indicate the specific uses for which the funds are sought and how the funds are to be administratively managed.
• Funds will not be authorized for construction or durable hardware (such as computers).

Upon receipt of a grant, recipients agree to provide the ACPE Foundation with an interim and annual report describing the use of funds and CEC progress. Programs will be encouraged to publish their learnings in ACPE publications.

Click Here to Apply for the Mission Advance Program (MAP) Fund Grant

Spring Deadline Funding Opportunities:

ACPE Hemenway Scholars: Summer Stipend Support for Students (up to $44,000):
Applications Open January 15

Purpose: Named in honor of Joan Hemenway, a pillar in the association, this opportunity recognizes the significant financial burdens of some ACPE students. ACPE will provide stipends of up to $2,000 for up to 22 summer ACPE students to support housing, offset educational debt, living expenses, etc.

Eligibility: Any student fully accepted into an ACPE accredited program or accredited spiritually integrated psychotherapy program. Some exclusions may apply

Application Criteria:

Awards will be made to those ACPE students who:

• Have accepted a position in an unpaid summer CPE unit or spiritually integrated psychotherapy clinical placement and can provide documentation demonstrating their acceptance;
• Are from under-represented identity groups within ACPE and offer various forms of diversity
• Hemenway Scholars will be required to share a written reflection on their learning experiences from their ACPE summer unit.

2025 Hemenway Scholar Applications will open January 15, 2025.

ACPE Boisen Scholars: Professional Development Support for Students – up to $12,000 available: Applications Open December 1

Purpose: In honor of Anton Boisen, the founder of CPE, this fund will provide support of up to $750 to CECs, Residents and/or Psychotherapy Students to attend the ACPE annual meeting, or, when not meeting, the Community of Practice gathering of their choice. Support can include meeting registration, hotel/lodging, or transportation costs.

Eligibility: Any current ACPE CEC, Resident, or Spiritually-integrated Psychotherapy student. Some exclusions may apply.

Application Criteria:

• Eligible applications will be awarded with preference given to students from underrepresented populations. Students are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date in order to make arrangements for travel.
• Students must include their plans for the use of the funds (including a basic budget) as a part of their application.

Additional Information:

• The Foundation will host at least one gathering for Boisen Scholars to connect, network and share their learning experiences (this will be either a virtual gathering or held during the ACPE annual meeting);
• Boisen Scholars will be required to share a written reflection on their learning experiences from their conference attendance.
• Awards will be made up to $750 per person. The ACPE Foundation reserves the right to provide more than 16 awards should the sum of all budgets of applicants not exceed $12,000.

Spring Deadline: March 1

Fall Deadline: September 1

2025 Boisen Scholar Applications will open December 1, 2024.

Contact ACPE Foundation Director & Chief DEI Officer Jasmine Okafor for more information about these funding opportunities.