Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Online Worldwide
Overview
The Mind & Life Institute is a non-profit organization committed to building a scientific understanding of the mind and human behavior as a way to reduce suffering and promote flourishing. In particular, we promote the integration of rigorous scientific inquiry with contemplative practices and wisdom traditions by supporting academic and applied work in the contemplative sciences.
Details
Research on contemplation offers a rich opportunity for understanding the mind and its capacity for change, and programs delivering contemplative training in various settings have expanded globally. Our knowledge of cognitive, physiological, and clinical effects of these practices has grown steadily, in large part due to the ongoing efforts of the Mind & Life Institute and our community of scholars. Expanding from awareness-based contemplative practices to the cultivation of virtuous, prosocial qualities and actions is clearly warranted to support not only individual well-being but also interpersonal well-being, societal flourishing, and human-earth connection.
To this end, Mind & Life is pleased to lead the development of this field through our PEACE Grants. This funding mechanism supports projects that advance our understanding of wholesome mental qualities and positive interpersonal and social action related to Prosociality, Empathy, Altruism, Compassion, and Ethics (PEACE). Mind & Life PEACE grants will fund projects that advance our understanding of the mechanisms, implementation, and outcomes of contemplative approaches to promote well-being and prosocial behavior in individuals and communities. This grant program encourages the active collaboration of scientists with contemplative scholars/practitioners in all phases of research. Two levels of funding are offered—$25,000 and $100,000—for projects that can be completed in a two-year time frame.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To be eligible, the Principal Investigator (and Co-Principal Investigator if relevant) must have completed a terminal research/doctoral degree and sufficient training, experience and institutional resources to accomplish the proposed work. Mind & Life aims to maximize the benefits of diversity, and to use diversity as a tool for enriching the field of contemplative research. We welcome applicants of all races, classes, genders, ages, religions, physical abilities, and sexual orientations.
Applicants may not be actively funded through any Mind & Life research grant. Current Mind & Life grantees must submit a final report and budget reconciliation for existing grants before applying for a new grant. This policy applies both within and across Mind & Life research grant programs (with the exception of Think Tanks). Note that we do not allow two separate proposals for the same program in a given cycle from the same applicant, or from different applicants for two aspects of the same project.
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
Grant Information
Two levels of funding are available through this program: up to $25,000 and up to $100,000 (USD). Grants will be awarded through a competitive application and selection process. Proposed research should be completed within a 2-year period, and annual progress reports are required for grantees to remain in good standing. Applications are reviewed by an external committee of experienced contemplative researchers and selected based on the following criteria:
- Significance and Impact: The project addresses an important issue related to mechanisms, cultivation, or assessment of PEACE qualities, and has potential to lead to advancement of contemplative research and positive action in the world (including raising questions relevant to understudied populations, see below);
- Innovation: The project offers something new or challenges existing paradigms, either conceptually or methodologically, or both (including addressing gaps in research such as engaging practices or participants from understudied populations, see below);
- Methodological Approach/Design: Design, methods, and analyses are adequately developed, rigorous, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project (including sampling transparency & ethical research protocols, see below);
- Investigator Qualifications: The principal investigator(s) are appropriately trained and capable of coordinating and managing the proposed research, supported by a research team with complementary expertise, with high likelihood of success and future contribution to the field (including consideration of team demographics, see below);
- Research Environment: The team has documented access to sufficient resources to carry out the research, and the project is supported by the host institution and community (including community participatory design, see below).
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
