Launch of the Wisdom Scholarship!
The Wisdom Scholarship is partially-funded by the Positive Psychology Guild (PPG) to encourage qualitative research on educational approaches to spiritual growth.
The objective of this scholarship is to support 3 Certified Positive Psychology Practitioners and/or Strengths-Based Practitioners using Positive Psychology-informed approaches to client engagement in non-clinical and multidisciplinary research on character, spiritual wellbeing, and service-based approaches to spiritual growth in professional practice.
We welcome in particular applications from practitioners whose identities and/or client identities are under-represented in mainstream Positive Psychology research (e.g. neurodiversity, culture, ethnicity, race, faith, gender, age, different abilities).
Please note the scholarships are partially-funded. PPG will fund most of the scholarship fees and the scholar will fund the remaining fees (scroll down for further details).
About the Scholarship
The Wisdom Scholarship was established by PPG in 2026 in response to a growing interest amongst students, researchers, and graduates on how to safely and ethically incorporate spiritual concepts and practices into their professional practices.
The scholarship is facilitated by PPG’s Positive Psychology Academy, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to Positive Psychology. While science lies at the heart of Positive Psychology Practice and Research, the Academy encourages scholars to establish links where relevant to other schools of thought in Psychology (e.g. humanistic and transpersonal approaches), Philosophy (e.g. Eastern, Western), Sociology, Religion, and Spirituality (secular and non-secular forms).
The selected scholars will complete their research study through PPG’s Level 7 Diploma Positive Psychology Practice (Research Pathway). The focus will be on research that can be applied in the real world during client engagement and/or to support the practitioner’s spiritual growth.
Scholarship Themes
There are 3 scholarship themes and one scholarship position is available per theme:
Theme 1: Character
This theme emphasises the role of character-based interventions, activities, or practices (e.g. gratitude, forgiveness, love) in the process of spiritual growth.
Theme 2: Wellbeing
This theme emphasises the role of spiritual wellbeing interventions, activities, or practices (e.g. retreat, sabbath, prayer) in the process of spiritual growth.
Theme 3: Service
This theme emphasises the role of service-based interventions, activities, or practices (e.g. charity, volunteering, humanitarian action) in the process of spiritual growth.
Application Guidance
While there can be some overlaps between the 3 themes, applications will be accepted for one theme only.
In your application form, please share why this theme is of interest to you and include any initial thoughts on how you might approach your research (e.g. key questions, research method/s, relevant literature, practice insights). Please also include references (APA Style).
All research applications should consider how PPG’s 3 Positive Paradigms (Coker, 2020) may apply to their research ideas. These paradigms are to be:
- Strengths-Based (rather than deficit-based);
- Hope-Oriented (rather than fear-based);
- Person-Centred/Led (rather than one-size-fits-all or prescriptive).
Application Criteria
Applicants should hold a Level 5 certification or the equivalent in Positive Psychology Practice or Strengths-Based Practice. They should be familiar with writing literature reviews and reflective logs, and comfortable with sourcing secondary research from open access peer-reviewed publications.
Applicants should also have at least 2 years of professional client engagement experience. This may be in an employed or self-employed capacity. In addition, they should have a clear idea of what they hope to achieve through engaging in this scholarship and how this might contribute to the field of practice.
Other criteria are:
- Over the age of 25 years
- Access to computer and Zoom technology
- Able to fund part of the scholarship fees
- Familiar with online learning
- Comfortable with online supervision
- Comfortable with independent research
- Fluent English (written, spoken, reading)*
- Familiar with spiritual growth concepts**
- Time and energy to commit to a research study***
- Available for interview via Zoom****
*We welcome applicants who are fluent in speaking English but may need some assisted technology with writing academically in English.
**For example, through direct experience of spiritual (secular and non-secular) and/or religious practices.
***The research will require on average 5-10 hours of research, reading, reflection, and writing each week. 10 weekly hours is recommended for a pace of 12 months and 5 weekly hours for a pace of 24 months. We recognise energy levels can fluctuate and offer this flexible pacing to support scholar wellbeing.
****Please note applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview if their application meets the above criteria and places are still available.
About the Studies
Scholars will complete their research study through PPG’s Level 7 Diploma in Positive Psychology Practice (Research Pathway). This journey takes 12-24 months to complete, depending on the scholar’s pace and research design.
The total certification time is 370 hours.
There are 3 milestones to complete:
- Milestone 1: Desktop Research Study (literature review, reflective log, self-intervention report*)
- Milestone 2: Research Study Proposal (question/s, method/s, timeline, participants, ethics…etc.)
- Milestone 3: Data Collection & Analysis (e.g. interviews, focus group discussions, fieldwork)
At the end of milestone 3, the scholar will complete the following 3 assignments:
- Academic Journal Article (5,000-8,000 words)
- Professional White Paper (3,000-5,000 words)
- Research Poster Presentation (30 mins, live via Zoom)
*These written assignments are 2,500 words each (+/-10%) and will be on the chosen scholarship theme.
On completion of all milestones, the scholar will be ready for certification.
Research & Supervision Process
Scholars will select a qualitative method to answer their research question/s. For example, Case Study Analysis, Grounded Theory, Narrative Inquiry, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Ethnography, or Autoethnography. Guidance will be provided here through supervision and recorded course learning materials.
Regular supervision (individual and group) will be provided throughout the scholarship. On average, the scholar will be attending supervision monthly (12-month timeline) or every 2 months (24 month timeline). When starting the scholarship, a timeline will be offered that suits the scholar’s preferred pacing.
Certification & Publication
On completion of all assignments, the scholar will receive a certificate accredited by the Positive Psychology Guild (PPG). Their white paper and journal article will also be published by PPG’s Positive Psychology Centre subject to submission criteria.
Scholarship Fees
The standard fees for the Level 7 Diploma Positive Psychology Practice (Research Pathway) are £2450. PPG will fund £1475 of this cost and the scholar will fund the remaining £975*.
*Monthly payment plans are available (12-month and 24-month timelines).
How to Apply
The application deadline was 30th September 2026 and no new applications are currently being accepted.
If you require application assistance, or have any questions about the scholarship, please contact: training@ppnetwork.org