American Psychological Foundation Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund 2017, USA

The Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund, supports research and demonstration activities that promote the understanding of the relationship between self-identity and academic achievement with an emphasis on children in grade levels K-8. This grant will alternate every other year between an early career psychologist and a graduate student. The 2017 grant will support a graduate student.

The Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund was established in 2003 to honor the Clarks and to perpetuate their work as pioneers in understanding the psychological underpinnings of race relations and in addressing social issues such as segregation and injustice.

The Clarks were the first and second African-Americans to receive PhDs from Columbia University. Their famous doll experiments, in which they asked children to express their likes and dislikes about brown-and white-skinned dolls, led the Clarks to conclude that the segregation in schools and society was psychologically damaging to the children. These studies are believed to be the first social science evidence considered as hard fact by the U.S. Supreme court, in Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka.

The goal is to raise $1 million for this fund. Thanks to the Turrell Fund, the Foundation for Child Development and the many generous individuals, the fund currently holds more than $250,000.

One $10,000 research grant is available.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a graduate student.
• Have received IRB approval before funding can be awarded if human participants are involved.
• Familiarity with the Clarks' work is essential:
  1. Kenneth Bancroft Clark, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington, D.C.
  2. Mamie Phipps Clark, Manuscripts Division, New York Public Library, New York.
  3. Markowitz, G. & Rosner, D. (1996). Children, Race and Power: Kenneth and Mamie Clark's Northside Center. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia.

Proposal Requirements

• Detailed proposal that makes a case for the need to be addressed; describes the proposed project, methodology and the applicant’s qualifications; and includes a detailed budget and justification.

• Current CV.

• Two letters of support.

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.