Advocacy and Collaboration Grants

As part of AACAP's initiative to support local and state advocacy, regional organizations of AACAP can apply for a one-year Advocacy and Collaboration Grant, awards of up to $5,000, to help support advocacy work and improve collaboration with allied professional organizations. Completed applications for 2027 award consideration must be submitted by a regional organization of AACAP no later than Friday, October 23, 2026. Award notification will be sent by November.

This grant opportunity is intended to help regional organizations engage in advocacy activities to improve children's mental health in their state or community and require collaboration with allied consumer or professional organizations. AACAP's Assembly Executive Committee reviews all applications and makes final award decisions. First-time applicants, as well as applicants focused on underserved and minority communities are encouraged to apply. 

The Assembly Executive Committee congratulates the seven regional organizations awarded a 2026 Advocacy and Collaboration Grant. The awardees include regional organizations from Central Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota, New York City, Northeast Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

2027 AACAP/Assembly Advocacy and Collaboration Grant Guidelines and Application (PDF)

For any questions about this grant opportunity for AACAP's regional organizations please email gov@aacap.org.

Recent Grant-Funded Projects

Advocacy in Action, Lessons Learned by CAPs in Washington State

The Washington State Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (WSCCAP) received a 2021 AACAP Assembly Advocacy and Collaboration Grant to partner with Community Passageways, a Black-led nonprofit organization in Seattle with a vision for zero youth incarceration, and a focus on addressing the disproportionately negative legal system impacts on youth of color, especially Black youth.

AACAP Advocacy and Collaboration Grant Improves Advocacy for Children in Nebraska

The Nebraska Regional Council of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Nebraska chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (NE AAP) were awarded a 2020 AACAP Advocacy and Collaboration Grant. This grant allowed the creation of the Nebraska Advocates for Child Health, a group of child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatricians, and developmental pediatricians, working collaboratively to improve advocacy for children’s health across the state of Nebraska.

Forensic Psychological Evaluation for Asylum Seeking Immigrants: A Case Example

Training video on forensic psychological evaluations for asylum seeking immigrants. Created with the support of a 2020 AACAP Advocacy & Collaboration Grant.

The following is a completely fictional depiction of a forensic psychological evaluation for an asylum-seeking immigrant. Actors were utilized in the creation of this product. Content Warning: this video contains some graphic and explicit content, including sexual assault, gun violence, and detainment, for which viewer discretion is advised. This video was produced and directed by Manuel A. Huerta, Persona/Anima Productions LLC. www.persona-anima.com

I Was Born Perfect

Supported by an AACAP Advocacy and Collaboration Grant, and in collaboration with the New York Council on Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, The Trevor Project, and Pride for Youth, The Informal Letter is a short video about managing mental health while navigating sexual orientation in adolescence.

Promoting Refugees' Mental Health Videos

A video created to promote acceptance of refugees in schools created by 2019 Advocacy and Collaboration grant recipient, Dr. Balkozar Adam.

Watch a video promoting refugee’s mental health, translated in multiple languages, created by 2018 Advocacy and Collaboration grant recipient, Dr. Balkozar Adam.