Request for Proposals: Texas Psychology Internships Initiative

Please note: the deadline for this RFP was June 8, 2011.

Overview

For 70 years, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health has focused on improving and promoting mental health in Texas. Supporting the education and training of the mental health workforce in Texas can be an effective way to improve access to and quality of mental health services, leading to recovery and wellness for more Texans with mental illness.

Through the Texas Psychology Internships Initiative, the Hogg Foundation invites Texas organizations to submit proposals to create a new pre-doctoral psychology internship program in Texas and pursue program accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

The primary goal of this initiative is to attract doctoral students in psychology to careers as mental health providers in Texas by expanding the number of high-quality internship programs that enable them to proceed with the education and training required for state licensure and professional practice. A secondary goal is to increase the availability of psychological services in Texas communities that are underserved with respect to mental health services.

The foundation anticipates awarding two grants through this initiative. Each recipient will receive up to $550,000 over a five-year grant period as follows: September 2011 – August 2012, $100,000; September 2012 – August 2013, $125,000; September 2013 – August 2014, $125,000; September 2014 – August 2015, $125,000; and September 2015 – August 2016, $75,000.

Eligibility

Texas-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities are eligible to apply. Examples of eligible organizations include armed forces medical centers, veterans affairs, child/adolescent psychiatric or pediatric hospitals or clinics, community mental health centers, prisons or other correctional facilities, outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals, school districts, public hospitals, mental health agencies, counseling centers at institutions of higher education, medical schools, or a consortium of these organizations.

Private practices and established unaccredited internship sites are not eligible to apply. This grant program will not fund additional intern positions at established internship programs, regardless of their accreditation status.

Teleconference

The foundation hosted an informational teleconference for potential respondents on April 20, 2011.

Application Deadline

All proposals were due online by noon central time on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.

Notice of Awards

Notice of awards will be made by August 2011. Grant funding is expected to begin in September 2011.

Inquiries

The foundation’s communication with potential respondents is limited to e-mail correspondence and the Web site. Please send questions about the RFP by email to Grants Management staff at Hogg-Grants@austin.utexas.edu.

Questions and answers that may be relevant to other potential applicants will be posted online. Please check back often for updated information.