The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a 501(c)(3) organization, has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives — each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. We are investing in groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects and critical policy work.
AFSP research grants support studies that aim to increase understanding of the causes of suicide and factors related to suicide risk, or to test treatments and other interventions designed to prevent suicide. Investigators from all academic disciplines are eligible to apply, and both basic science and applied research projects will be considered, providing the study has an essential focus on suicide or suicide prevention. AFSP grants are awarded for one or two-year periods. Grant applications are not accepted from for-profit organizations, or from federal or state government agencies.
A currently funded grantee may not submit a new application until completion of the ongoing grant and submission of a Final Report within the prescribed period (i.e., 60 days following grant completion or termination).
New grantees must begin their studies within six months of the approved start date. Failure to begin the study within this time frame may result in withdrawal of the grant award.
Please be aware that AFSP expects that funded investigators will assist us in the important task of disseminating new research finding to our lay constituents and donors, who are largely responsible for generating financial support for our research grants program. Following completion, an investigator may be invited to present their study’s results at an AFSP-sponsored research forum, and your acceptance of the AFSP grant funding implies your willingness to do this, if asked.
Applicants should carefully review the grant policy statement for additional guidelines and restrictions. Grant applications that do not conform to the stated policies will not be reviewed. Forms for grant applications can be obtained by using the links below.
A grant may only be resubmitted twice.
Grant Categories
AFSP offers six types of research grants:
* Distinguished Investigator Grants for up to $100,000 over two years are awarded to investigators at the level of associate professor or higher with an established record of research and publication on suicide.
* Standard Research Grants for up to $75,000 over two years are awarded to individual investigators at any level.
* Linked Standard Research Grants for three or more sites of up to $225,000 over two years are awarded to investigators at any level.
* Young Investigator Grants for up to $85,000 over two years are awarded to investigators at the level of assistant professor or lower. In addition to a maximum of $75,000 for the investigator’s research, these grants provide an additional $10,000 ($5,000 per year) for an established suicide researcher who will mentor the Young Investigator.
* Postdoctoral Research Fellowships for up to $100,000 over two years are awarded to investigators who have received a Ph.D., M.D., or other doctoral degree within the preceding six years and have not had more than three years of fellowship support. Fellows receive a progressive stipend of $42,000 in the first year and $46,000 in the second, with an institutional allowance of $6,000 per year.
* Pilot Grants for up to $30,000 over one or two years are awarded to investigators at any level. These grants provide seed money for new projects that have the potential to lead to subsequent larger investigations.
Grant Application Funding and Reporting Cycle
New grantees must begin their studies within six months of the approved start date. Failure to begin the study within this time frame may result in withdrawal of the grant award.
Grant Initiation
Following notification from AFSP that your grant application will be funded, you will be required to submit the following to AFSP, at grantsmanager@afsp.org, or fax to (212) 363-6237:
* IRB approval: We will need a letter from your institution’s IRB indicating review and approval of the specific protocol that AFSP has approved for funding. This letter must be dated within 12 months of the actual start date of your grant. Also, please be sure that the title of the project referred to in your IRB letter matches exactly the project title on your application and that the IRB approval for the project is in your name. If changes have been made to the original protocol based on the recommendations of the Research Grants Committee or for any other reason, it must be clear that the IRB has seen and approved these changes.
* Financial Information Form: Please indicate on this form the individual at your institution to whom grant payments should be sent. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis, throughout the grant period. Also, it is important that you communicate with your grants officer regularly. (Download form)
* Updated Timeline: On this form, please ensure that your timeline is compatible with the intended start date and shows the expected dates for major project activities. (Download form)
* Confirmation-of-Readiness Form: Once the above materials have been or are ready to be submitted, and all personnel and other necessary arrangements have been made, please sign and return this form attesting to the project’s readiness to begin. (Download form)
Grant Continuation Requirements
Your first grant payment will be made as soon as we receive the materials listed in the section above. Subsequent payments will be made contingent upon receipt of:
* Semi-annual filing of a progress report (Download form), and
* A semi-annual report of expenditures-to-date. (Download form)
Grant Closeout
Within 60 days of the end date of the grant period AFSP must receive:
* Final Research Report (Download form)
* Final Financial Report — the final payment will not be made to the Institution until this report has been filed with AFSP. (Download form)
It is expected that the research results of the work supported from AFSP will be published in appropriate scientific journals and that the support from AFSP will be acknowledged. In addition the grantee is responsible to send AFSP a PDF copy of the publication.
Any deviation in the use of funds or direction of the research needs to be approved in advance by the research director. A letter counter signed by the financial officer, (and mentor if appropriate) should be sent to the research director by regular or email.
Grant Policy Statements and Application Forms
Distinguished Investigator Grant: | policy statement | application form |
Standard Research Grant: | policy statement | application form |
Linked Standard Research Grant: | policy statement | application form |
Young Investigator Grant: | policy statement | application form |
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: | policy statement | application form |
Pilot Grant: | policy statement | application form |
Contact detail: grants@afsp.org
Details: http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=0535FDA2-FA7D-AAE8-D7A9A6BCFFE3574B