In short
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) allows applicants to use AI tools to organize their thoughts and structure a proposal. The final ideas and content must be the applicant's own. APF will decline proposals developed primarily by AI. Applicants must acknowledge and disclose any AI use in the application.
Limits AI. Applicants may use AI for some tasks, and the funder restricts how much of an application AI may write.
For applicants
- Applicants may use AI tools to organize their thoughts and structure a proposal. The final work must be the applicant's own ideas and content. [1]
- AI should serve as a tool. It should not be the source of the proposal topic or the primary developer of content. APF will decline proposals that are not the applicant's own ideas or content, and proposals developed primarily by AI tools. [1]
- The application asks applicants to acknowledge and disclose their use of AI tools. Use that follows the policy will not negatively affect review of the proposal. [1][2]
- APF has seen submissions that appear to be copied and pasted directly from AI, including the prompts or queries used. Applicants should make sure no traces of AI-generated content remain. The final content should reflect the applicant's own voice, ideas, and experience. [3]
For reviewers
American Psychological Foundation has published no rules for reviewers.
Sources
APF Policies, Section 6.2.6 Policy for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) (opens in a new tab)
AI should be used as a tool, not as the source of the proposal topic or as a primary developer of content.
Applicants may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to organize their thoughts and structure their proposal, but the final work in the proposal should be the applicant’s own idea(s) and content.
Usage of AI tools in alignment with this policy will not negatively impact review of the proposal, but proposals that are not the applicant’s own idea(s) or content and those which are developed primarily by AI tools will be declined.
Programs & Funding Opportunities (APF AI Policy) (opens in a new tab)
Applicants will be asked to acknowledge and disclose use of AI tools in the application. Usage of AI tools in alignment with this policy will not negatively impact review of the proposal
Common Desk Rejection Errors (opens in a new tab)
We’ve seen some submissions that appear to be copied and pasted directly, including the prompts or queries used. Please ensure there are no traces indicating that AI generated the content for you.
It’s okay to use AI tools to help draft or organize your ideas! However, it’s essential that the final content genuinely reflects your own voice, ideas, and experience.
See American Psychological Foundation's 4 open programs
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.