Public Safety Grants

Information for Grant Applicants
New Submission Deadlines for Research Grants
(Effective December 15, 2007)

Beginning in 2008, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will accept and review applications for all categories of research grants and fellowships two times a year, with submission deadlines of Dec. 1 and June 15, or if the deadline falls on a non-business day, the following business day.

In making these changes, the AFSP Scientific Council is seeking to make the Foundation's research grant program more responsive to time-sensitive topics with high relevance for suicide research, lessen the waiting time required for applicants to resubmit promising applications, and streamline the administrative processes related to grants review.

A second change approved by the Scientific Council is an increase in the grant amounts for Standard Research Grants (from a maximum of $60,000 to $75,000), Young Investigator Grants (from $70,000 to $85,000) and Pilot Grants (from $20,000 to $30,000). These changes will also go into effect beginning with the December 2007 cycle. Distinguished Investigator Grants and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships will remain at their current levels of $100,000.

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APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORM.

All questions should be directed to: Vinita Ling, research administrator, at vling@afsp.org or (212) 363-3500 Ext. 15.
Eligibility

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.

As a general policy, an individual can hold only one AFSP grant at a time. During the second year of funding (of the first year in the case of one-year grant) a current grant holder may apply for another AFSP grant which if approved, would start after the first grant period has ended and the final progress report and financial statement has been submitted. In reviewing the new application, consideration will be given to the applicant's progress on the current application. Applicants should carefully review the appropriate 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 application submitted by an applicant who has previously held an AFSP grant and has not submitted a final report within the prescribed period (i.e., 60 days following grant completion or termination) will not be reviewed.

New grantees must begin their studies within nine months of the approved start date. Failure to begin the study within this time frame may result in withdrawal of the grant award.
Grant Categories

AFSP offers five 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.
* 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 of 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.
* Standard Linked Grants for three or more sites of up to $225,000 over two years are awarded to investigators at any level.

Application Dates

Applications for all categories of grants and fellowships that intend to begin between July and September of the following year must be received by Dec. 1. Applications for projects that intend to begin between January and March of the following year must be received by June 15. Decisions on funding are normally made by April 15 and Oct. 1, respectively.