APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants 2026

The APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG) program provides support to enhance and improve the conduct of doctoral dissertation research in political science. Awards support basic research which is theoretically derived and empirically oriented, and the program intends to award between twenty and twenty-five grants annually, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to doctoral candidates. The grants are distributed through the student’s host institution and funds are directed to support dissertation research.

Grant funds between $10,000 and $20,000 to support dissertation research; funding distributed via the student’s host institution.

US-based graduate students who are at the point of initiating or conducting empirical dissertation research in political science, enrolled at a doctoral-degree granting university in the United States, sponsored by their dissertation adviser, and endorsed by their graduate institution.

Apply through the APSA grant application portal; see provided links for details and application submission.