American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to engaging members in leadership and volunteer opportunities that help shape the future of the organization and the profession of psychiatry. Through Board service, component participation, and micro-volunteer opportunities, members can contribute their expertise, perspectives, and experience to advance APA's mission and strategic priorities.
Use the tabs above or the buttons below for more detailed information about the available opportunities. To submit an application, please click 'User Login' in the upper righthand corner.
Now Accepting Nominations for the APA Board of Trustees
APA members are invited to nominate themselves or a colleague to run for office in APA’s 2027 election. APA immediate past President Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., DLFAPA, chair of the Nominating Committee, is seeking members with the passion to serve APA and psychiatry.
APA members who serve on the Board of Trustees do important work that ultimately steers the Association and has a real-life impact on patients. The offices open for election this year are President-Elect, Secretary, Early Career Psychiatrist (ECP) Trustee, Community Engagement and Access (CEA) Trustee, Area 1, 4 & 7 Trustees, and Resident-Fellow Member Trustee-Elect (RFMTE).
The deadline for nominations is September 1, 2026.
About the APA Board of Trustees
The American Psychiatric Association is governed by the Board of Trustees, which is composed of officers elected nationally and members elected both nationally and regionally. The power to make policy is vested in the Board; the Board's primary function is to manage the affairs of the Association and formulate and implement the policies of the Association. The Board exercises all the powers of the Association that are not otherwise assigned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to be nominated to apply?No. Eligible APA members can self-nominate for open Board of Trustees positions.
2. What APA members are eligible apply?
APA members who are eligible to apply are Resident-Fellow members, General members, Fellows, Distinguished Fellows, Life members, Life Fellows, Distinguished Life Fellows, and Retired members with active APA memberships. Please visit the link below under “Additional Resources” for more information on eligibility requirements.
3. What documents are required to accompany the nomination application?
Applicants are required to submit a personal statement/statement of intent, a three-page abbreviated Curriculum Vitae (CV), and a 300–400 word biography. RFMTE applicants are also required to submit an RFMTE Nomination Release Form. Letters of recommendation are optional, and a maximum of three may be submitted.
4. Is it recommended to submit letters of recommendation even though they are optional?
It may be worth considering submitting letters of recommendation in your application if you believe they will provide distinct insight or highlight different aspects of your skills and experience that are not already covered by the required submissions.
5. Will applications submitted after the deadline be accepted?
No, we will not accept any applications submitted after 11:59 pm ET on September 1st.
6. Having technical issues?
In case of any technical issues, please reach out to rqassist@rhythmq.com for assistance.
Additional Resources:
APA Election SiteBoard Position Descriptions
Eligibility Requirements
Sample Officer Schedule
APA's Call for Volunteers
The Association's many accomplishments are made possible through the generosity of our members' time, energy, and expertise. APA President-Elect, Rahn Bailey, M.D., invites APA members to express interest in serving on an APA Council or Committee. Members who are willing to share their expertise and make a significant time commitment to serve APA, the field of psychiatry and patients, are asked to submit an application. APA members who represent the varied demographics of APA's member and patient populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
For the members whose first term serving on a Council or Committee will end on May 5, 2027, we encourage you to apply for a second term if you wish to be reappointed (these positions include Chairs, Corresponding Members, Consultants and Members). You must apply in order to be considered for reappointment.
You are ineligible to apply for a component if:
- You are not current on your APA and District Branch member dues at the time of application and at the time of appointment.
- You are a medical student.
- You are an international member.
Your experience and commitment are highly valued, and we look forward to your continued participation. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 6, 2026.
Explore the full list of councils and committees on the APA website.
Key Deadlines and Milestones
September 1 - November 6, 2026: Applications open for all Councils and Committees.
December - February: Applications are reviewed, component Chairs and Staff Liaisons meet with the APA President-Elect to review and finalize appointments.
March 13-14, 2027: APA Board of Trustees approves the appointments.
Week of March 15, 2027: Members are notified of their status.
May 6, 2027: New Council and Committee terms begin.
Micro-Volunteer Opportunities at APA
APA is excited to launch a new program to expand volunteer opportunities for our members. This initiative introduces micro-volunteering, which consists of short-term, flexible opportunities that allow members to contribute in meaningful ways without long-term commitments. These time-bound tasks enable volunteers to support the organization’s work in a way that fits their availability while making a tangible impact.The deadline for these micro-volunteer opportunities are ongoing and may vary. Please check the website for the specific opportunity you applied to in order to confirm the deadline. All applications must be submitted using this online portal by the opportunity deadline date. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Process
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1. Login
Login with your APA credentials to apply/nominate.
2. Create
Create your online submission.
3. Save
During the Call for Applications/Nominations cycle, your submission can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the submission is saved. At any time, you can download and print your submission by clicking on the 
icon in the Summary section.
4. Submit
On completion, save your submission as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your submission for your records by clicking on the icon in the Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact APA Governance at appointments@psych.org.
Key Dates
Micro Volunteer ApplicationsApplications Open: Mar 15, 2026
Applications Close: Ongoing
Board Applications
Applications Open: Jul 1, 2026
Applications Close: Sep 1, 2026
Component Applications
Applications Open: Sep 1, 2026
Applications Close: Nov 6, 2026