The Phycological Society of America's mission is centered around supporting research and education in phycology, the study of algae. Through its endowment and programs like the Grants-in-Aid of Research, it seeks to foster academic and professional development opportunities for students, postdoctorates, and researchers in the field.
The Grants-in-Aid of Research program, established by the Phycological Society of America (PSA) in 1987 and expanded in 2016 to include postdoctoral researchers, supports graduate and postdoctoral research in any area of phycology. The grants aim to make it possible for awardees to undertake work that could not be done without this financial assistance. Specifically, the program helps to defray research expenses, funded by the interest earned from the PSA Endowment's Education Fund.