Grants for Social Workers

Welcome and explore a wealth of information on social worker grants, empowering professionals to make a positive impact. Discover available grants, application tips, and resources to support your career in social work. Social work is a dynamic profession demanding a blend of formal education and practical experience. While a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, the field offers numerous specialized and advanced roles necessitating a Master of Social Work (MSW) for those aspiring to academic, policymaking, or executive roles within social work agencies, pursuing a doctorate in social work (DSW) through a DSW program becomes a common trajectory. Some social workers may opt for a Ph.D. to engage in research endeavors or to impart knowledge to future generations of social workers.

Attaining an advanced degree in social work, whether to enhance client support or embark on an independent research project, comes with substantial costs. However, there is a silver lining as various avenues offer social work grants. These grants alleviate the financial burden of pursuing advanced degrees and extend support for activities such as obtaining continuing education credits, a requisite for maintaining social work certification.

Types of Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid is crucial as college tuition rises, particularly for those aspiring to become social workers, a profession demanding a minimum investment of four years in post-secondary education. Additionally, a Master of Social Work (MSW), essential for clinical practice, necessitates an additional two years of graduate school, with an average total cost of around $40,000. Fortunately, various types of financial aid are available to alleviate the burden of tuition costs. The primary types of financial aid include:

Grants

– Need-Based: Yes – Repayment: No

Scholarships

– Need-Based: No – Repayment: No

Student Loans

– Need-Based: Sometimes – Repayment: Yes

Work Study

– Need-Based: Yes – Repayment: No

Fellowship

– Need-Based: Sometimes – Repayment: No

Grant may not be universally accessible, but other financial assistance programs, such as federal student loans and scholarships, are viable options.

Online Social Work Programs

1. University of Denver Online MSW Program

2. Fordham University Online MSW Program

3. Simmons University Online MSW Program

4. Howard University Online MSW Program

5. Syracuse University Online MSW Program

6. Case Western Reserve University Online MSW Program

Grants for Social Work Education

Explore valuable grants for social work education that can empower your academic and research pursuits:

1. American Fellowships Short-Term Research Publication Grants – Amount: $6,000 for an eight-week grant period – Description: This grant is open to women scholars across all fields and supports those with a doctorate degree. Criteria include scholarly excellence, project quality, originality, feasibility, mentorship, and teaching experience.
2. American Cancer Society – Doctoral Training Grants in Oncology Social Work – Amount: $20,000 per year for two years; renewable – Description: Designed for doctoral students training others in oncology social work research, fostering advancements in the field.
3. American Cancer Society – Master’s Training Grants in Oncology Social Work – Amount: $12,000 per year for two years; renewable – Description: Tailored for MSW-prepared field instructors at affiliated placement sites, offering students a focus on pediatric or adult oncology within health care or mental health concentrations.
4. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund – Amount: $500 – $1,500 – Description: This fund provides small grants for full-time volunteers in progressive social justice programs or projects. Areas of focus include building a more just society, enhancing understanding, and advancing nonviolence and peace activities.
5. Doris Duke Fellowships – Research to Action Grants – Amount: Up to $80,000 – Description: For Doris Duke fellows and policy/practice partners, these grants support applied research projects addressing policy or practice challenges.
6. Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation Grants – Doctoral Dissertation Grant: – Amount: Up to $5,000 – Description: Supports dissertation expenses of doctoral students in the U.S. and Canada with the potential to impact knowledge about issues in functioning or well-being.
7. The Foundation for Child Development – Young Scholars Program – Amount: Unknown – Description: Encourages doctoral applicants from underrepresented groups, funding implementation research on the early care and education workforce’s preparation, competency, compensation, well-being, and ongoing development.