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

November 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)

Up to $50,000 total over 2 years (seed funding for pilot/exploratory suicide research)

Supports early-stage, exploratory suicide research projects to generate preliminary data or resources for future larger studies.

--- ## Description Pilot Innovation Grants from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) provide seed funding for early-stage or exploratory projects in suicide research. These grants are intended to support feasibility studies, development of new resources, or preliminary work—such as treatment manual development or new biomarker identification—rather than fully powered, hypothesis-driven research. The goal is to generate initial data or resources needed to support subsequent, larger-scale studies and to foster innovation in approaches to understanding and preventing suicide. Projects must be centered on suicide or suicide prevention and include at least one suicide outcome measure. --- ## Due Dates - November 2026: Full application submission deadline for Pilot Innovation Grants (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $50,000 total - Duration: Up to 2 years Funds may be used for personnel, supplies, research-related travel, participant fees, and up to 8% indirect costs. Budgets must be justified and realistic; awards are not intended to cover the total cost of research. --- ## Eligibility - Investigators at any career level are eligible to apply. - Applicants must be affiliated with a not-for-profit research institution or organization (U.S. or international). - For-profit organizations and most federal/state agencies are not eligible (with the exception of the Veterans Administration). - Projects must focus on suicide or suicide prevention and include at least one suicide outcome measure. - Prior research on suicide is not required, but applicants should demonstrate research experience or training in a related field. - Only one AFSP grant may be held as PI at a time; resubmissions (up to two) are allowed for unfunded applications. - Applications adding a suicide-related component to an existing grant are eligible if the AFSP-funded data can be separated. --- ## Application Process 1. **Review AFSP Grant Policies:** [2025 Grant Policies Document](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1755270973-afsp-2025-cycle-all-policies-update.pdf) 2. **Develop a Proposal:** Focus on feasibility, development, or pilot testing; must include at least one suicide outcome measure. 3. **Submit Application:** Use the [AFSP online portal](https://afsp.org/apply-for-or-manage-your-research-grant). 4. **Review Process:** Applications are peer-reviewed for innovation, relevance, methodology, and investigator qualifications. Detailed feedback is provided for all submissions. 5. **Reporting:** Awardees must submit semi-annual progress and financial reports, and a final report at project completion. --- ## Additional Information - AFSP encourages inclusion of demographic data on sexual orientation, gender identity, and military status when collecting original data. See [LGBT data inclusion guidance](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1577274418-inclusion-of-lgbt-data-in-afsp-grant-applications.docx). - Research in priority areas (e.g., ethnic/racial diversity, understudied high-risk populations, survivors of suicide loss) is encouraged. - Awardees may be invited to present findings at AFSP events and are expected to help disseminate research outcomes. --- ## External Links - [AFSP Research Grant Information](https://afsp.org/research-grant-information#distinguished-investigator-innovation-grants) - [Apply for or Manage Your Research Grant](https://afsp.org/apply-for-or-manage-your-research-grant/) - [AFSP Grant Policies Document (2025 cycle)](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1755270973-afsp-2025-cycle-all-policies-update.pdf) - [Application Review Process](https://afsp.org/research-grant-application-review-process) - [Research Grant Management & Reporting Requirements](https://afsp.org/research-grant-management-and-reporting-requirements) - [LGBT Data Inclusion Guidance](https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1577274418-inclusion-of-lgbt-data-in-afsp-grant-applications.docx) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [grantsmanager@afsp.org](mailto:grantsmanager@afsp.org) | | Program Information | [AFSP Research Grants Page](https://afsp.org/research-grant-information) | | Grants Management Portal | [AFSP Grants Portal](https://afsp.org/apply-for-or-manage-your-research-grant/) | | Crisis Support | 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) |

Pilot Innovation Grants

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