Taking Science to the streets
Direct Action
Accessibility and implementation of evidence-based psychological principles faces major challenges, especially in communities and populations experiencing crises, discrimination, and lack of resources.
APF Direct Action moves high-quality psychological research out of journals and into real-world use, because communities need care now. We’re bridging the gap between research and reality, because care in action moves the world forward.
About Direct Action
Direct Action is a new Philanthropic Initiative within the American Psychological Foundation. Building on a foundation of decades of donor support for research via APF, these new programs and projects we call Direct Action bring science to the streets, impacting communities and people where they are and providing critical care through evidence-based interventions. Direct Action is helping people thrive – right now, when it matters most.
Direct Action isn’t just a program, it’s a mindset shift. We launched this new approach in 2024 as a way to bring the breadth and depth of psychological science into the communities where it’s needed most, and we couldn’t have predicted the level of need we would see. When we received over 1,200 letters of intent in our first year of Direct Action Visionary Grants, it became apparent that this was bigger than a time bound program with a clear conclusion. To meet this need, we are continuing to build our capacity to fund grants while encouraging innovative approaches and new ideas – and we hope you’ll join us.
As with all initiatives at APF, Direct Action is guided by our mission, vision, values, and visionary priorities. Details about these pillars of our work are available on the APF About page.
Support APF Direct Action
Turn understanding into impact – today.
Explore Our Work
Dig deeper on the programs and initiatives included in APF Direct Action.