[American Foundation for Suicide Prevention](https://afsp.org)

August 2026 (Letter of Intent) | December 2026 (Full application)

Up to $500,000 per year, for up to three years (maximum $1.5 million total).

Supports innovative, high-risk research projects targeting annually defined priority areas in suicide prevention.

Letter of Intent required; only invited applicants may submit full proposals.

--- ## Description Focus Grants from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) are large-scale awards designed to catalyze major advances in suicide prevention research by supporting innovative, high-risk, and potentially high-yield projects. Each year, AFSP and its Scientific Council define priority areas—such as ethnic and racial diversity, understudied high-risk populations, and survivors of suicide loss—to address significant gaps in the field. Projects must directly address suicide or suicide prevention and include at least one suicide-related outcome measure. These grants aim to generate impactful knowledge and interventions to reduce suicide risk and save lives. --- ## Due Dates - **August 2026 (anticipated):** Letter of Intent deadline - **December 2026 (anticipated):** Full application deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** Up to $500,000 per year - **Duration:** Up to three years (total maximum $1,500,000) - **Allowable costs:** Personnel, indirect costs up to 8%, research supplies, participant fees, travel, software leasing, and more (see AFSP Grant Policies for details) - **Non-allowable costs:** Building costs, office equipment, durable equipment, conference travel, books, tuition, computers (purchase), and general IT fees --- ## Eligibility - Principal Investigators must be affiliated with a not-for-profit research institution or organization (U.S. or international). - Applications from for-profit organizations or most government agencies are not accepted (exceptions: Veterans Administration and NIH/NIMH). - All academic disciplines are eligible; both basic and applied research are considered, but projects must focus on suicide prevention. - Prior suicide research experience is not required, but evidence of prior research or research training in a related field is expected. - Only one AFSP grant as PI at a time; can serve as mentor or co-investigator on other AFSP grants. - Letter of Intent is required; only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. --- ## Application Process 1. **Review AFSP Grant Policies:** [AFSP Grant Policies Document (2025 cycle)](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1755270973-afsp-2025-cycle-all-policies-update.pdf) 2. **Submit Letter of Intent (LOI):** By the anticipated August deadline; LOIs must specify the Focus Grant category, project title, PI and key personnel details, and a brief project description (2 pages). 3. **Invitation to Apply:** Only applicants with approved LOIs will be invited to submit a full application. 4. **Full Application:** Invited applicants submit a detailed proposal (up to 12 pages, excluding references), budget, personnel biosketches, IRB/IACUC approvals, and other required documents via the [online portal](https://afsp.org/apply-for-or-manage-your-research-grant). 5. **Review Process:** Peer-reviewed by AFSP’s Scientific Council; applicants receive detailed feedback. 6. **Award Notification:** Final decisions are typically issued in late spring/early summer; projects may begin after July 1 if approved. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must include at least one suicide outcome measure. - AFSP strongly encourages the inclusion of sexual orientation, gender identity, and military status data in research participant assessments (see [guidelines](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1577274418-inclusion-of-lgbt-data-in-afsp-grant-applications.docx)). - Grantees are required to provide periodic progress and financial reports, and to acknowledge AFSP support in publications and presentations. - Supplement applications that add a suicide component to an existing funded study are welcome. - Priority is given to proposals addressing annually defined AFSP research priority areas. --- ## External Links - [Focus Grants Program Page](https://afsp.org/research-focus-grants) - [AFSP Research Grant Information](https://afsp.org/research-grant-information#distinguished-investigator-innovation-grants) - [AFSP Grant Policies (2025 cycle)](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1755270973-afsp-2025-cycle-all-policies-update.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://afsp.org/apply-for-or-manage-your-research-grant/) - [Research Grant Application Review Process](https://afsp.org/research-grant-application-review-process) - [Research Grant Management and Reporting Requirements](https://afsp.org/research-grant-management-and-reporting-requirements) - [Inclusion of LGBT Data Guidelines (DOCX)](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1577274418-inclusion-of-lgbt-data-in-afsp-grant-applications.docx) --- ## Contact Information | Role | Contact | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [grantsmanager@afsp.org](mailto:grantsmanager@afsp.org) | | Program Info | [Focus Grants Program Page](https://afsp.org/research-focus-grants) | | AFSP Main Phone | 988 (crisis support & general hotline) | | AFSP Website | [https://afsp.org](https://afsp.org) |

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