Minority Fellowship Program
Fellowships in Services for Transition Age Youth (STAY)
About STAY
Funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, STAY supports the training of master’s level practitioners in mental health services to prepare them for careers that will improve the mental health outcomes and overall well-being of transition age youth (ages 16 through 25) and their families.
STAY offers a comprehensive program designed to help fellows achieve their full potential as mental health professionals, including:
- Specialized professional training and enrichment experiences to complement their academic program
- A mentor who provides guidance and support meeting virtually and in-person, no less than four times during the fellowship year
- Access to the latest research, tools, and resources in the field
- A collaborative, lifelong community of like-minded professionals dedicated to making a positive impact
- Opportunities to connect with the Training Advisory Committee, MFP alumni, LDI constituents, and the wider APA membership through various networking events
AT A Glance
Format/Location: A combination of in-person and virtual training, mentoring, and networking
Duration: 1 year; Fellows can be reappointed for up to 2 consecutive years
Term: October 1 - September 29
Stipend/Funding: $13,000 paid in four quarterly installments, travel support to Washington, DC, for specialized training during the Psychology Summer Institute, and a one-year associate membership to APA
Who Can Apply
Master’s students in APA accredited psychology programs. See eligibility requirements for full details.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025/2026 cohort will be open October 1, 2024-January 15, 2025. 
My [STAY] program advisor has been influential in my practicum and internship experiences and has provided ample support for me when I have brought up concerns. She has offered sound advice and recommendations when I have run into roadblocks and has encouraged me every step of the way throughout my first year and a half in graduate school.
STAY Participant
Program benefits
Advance your journey in psychology
Gain access to resources and training that advance your skills and knowledge, preparing you for a fulfilling, successful career.
Expand your professional network
Connect with a diverse community of psychologists, expanding your professional network and fostering collaborations that drive real-world impact.
Make a difference
Drive transformative change by gaining the expertise necessary to cultivate the well-being and potential of young minds.
ELigibility Requirements
To participate in STAY, applicants must:
- Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or noncitizen nationals.
- Have a strong commitment to a career in mental health services with youth in underrepresented communities, between the ages of 16 through 25 and their families.
- Be enrolled full-time in a terminal master’s program in psychology that:
- Is housed in the same department as an APA-accredited doctoral program.
- Prepares students to be license-eligible practitioners.
- Is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, not a marriage and family therapy program, and is not accredited by The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission. Individuals in these programs may apply for MFP fellowships at other associations.
- Be prepared to enter the field as a mental health practitioner immediately upon graduation.
- Sign a letter of commitment attesting that they will work for a period of two years in a capacity that addresses the behavioral health needs of underrepresented communities.
