Made possible by the individual generosity of the late Walter E. Beach and his many friends and colleagues, the Beach Fund provides travel grants to junior scholars and graduate students attending the APSA Annual Meeting.

Beach had a long history with APSA and political science. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Dickinson College and later a master's degree in political science from George Washington University. He joined the staff of APSA in 1966 and played a vital role in expanding the Association's work. He served as editor of PS (the Association's news journal) from 1971-1980. He later worked for the Brookings Institution and the Helen Dwight Reid Educational Foundation. In recent years he continued to play a vital role, serving as unofficial APSA historian and offering wise counsel.

In 1998, Beach received the Association's Goodnow Award for his many contributions to political science.  He was noted for the vital role he played in the formation of the Southern Political Science Association and for his work in sustaining the activities of the National Capital Area Political Science Association.  He also strengthened many organizations headquartered in Washington, D.C., including the International Eye Foundation and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, through his professional leadership.