2023 AFSP Innovation Grants

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Investigators from all academic disciplines are eligible to apply, and both basic science and applied research projects will be considered, provided that the proposed study has an essential focus on suicide or suicide prevention.

A current grantee may submit a new application as their grant nears completion but it will not be funded until completion of the current grant and submission of a Final Report.

New grantees must begin their studies within 6 months of the approved start date. Failure to begin the study within this time frame may result in withdrawal of the grant award.

Applicant Requirements
Although prior research on suicide is not required, applicants are expected to show evidence of prior research or research training in a related field. These grants are intended to fund new directions and initiatives in suicide research rather than to support the applicant's existing research. Supplemental grants to larger grant are encouraged if they add a unique study area that can utilize the structure of any existing grant. For example, adding a group with suicidal ideation/behavior, or adding a longitudinal assessment to a funded study.

Summary

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) research grants support studies that will increase our understanding of suicide or test treatments and other interventions that save lives. All AFSP research grants are designed to support research on suicide from a variety of disciplines including psychiatry, medicine, psychology, genetics, epidemiology, neurobiology, sociology, nursing, health services administration, social work, and many others. Grants are not intended to support the development or implementation of organization-specific prevention programs, educational programs, treatments, or other interventions unless they have a significant research component. In that case a study would be welcome, but it must have generalizability beyond the specific institution or program.

Grants are made for a period of one to three years (depending on mechanism), with final year funding contingent upon the previous year's performance. The study must begin within six months of the award date, but by January 1st.

The AFSP Innovation Grant program includes 5 programs:

Distinguished Investigator Innovation Grants

Up to $150,000 over 2 years

Distinguished Investigator Grants (DIGs) are awarded for a two-year period to investigators who hold an academic rank of associate or full professor and an established record of research and publication in the area of suicide, or who are an established investigator newly entering the field of suicide prevention.
Individuals may be awarded up to two DIGs during their lifetime. Those having had two DIGs remain eligible for LSRG, SRG, Focus Grants, and Pilot Grants.

Standard Research Innovation Grants

Up to $125,000 over 2 years

Standard Research Grants are for a two-year period, for investigators at any academic rank. Although prior research on suicide is not required, applicants are expected to show evidence of prior research or research training in a related field. These grants are intended to fund new directions and initiatives in suicide research rather than to supplement the applicant's existing research and junior investigators.

Early Career Researcher Innovation Grants

Up to $140,000 over 2 years

The Early Career Research Grant is designed to assist new researchers to obtain the advice, guidance and supervision of an established mentor in a selected area of suicide research. These grants are awarded for a two-year period are awarded to investigators with an academic rank no higher than assistant professor. This grant is designed for investigators who have completed doctoral studies, although high quality applications from pre-doctoral applicants will be considered. The Early Career Research Grant provides an annual nontransferable fee of $7,000 to the mentor, who serves as an advisor to the applicant. NB: The mentor fee can not be reallocated to any other part of the grant. If the mentor intends to waive the fee, the $7,000 per year for the fee will be forfeited.
The mentor must have an academic rank of associate or full professor and an established record of suicide research and publication relevant to the researcher’s proposed study. Individuals may serve as mentors for no more than two AFSP grantees at a time, whether Early Career Research Grants or Postdoctoral Research Fellows.

Pilot Innovation Grants

Up to $50,000 over 2 years

Awarded to investigators at any level, these grants provide seed funding for new projects that have the potential to lead to larger investigations. These grants typically entail feasibility studies rather than hypothesis-driven research. Examples include manual development and new biomarker development. The specific purpose of the Pilot Research Grant is to provide seed money for projects that show promise in opening up new areas of suicide prevention research. Pilot Research Grants provide funding for one or two years. Standard Research Grants are for a two-year period, for investigators at any academic rank. Although prior research on suicide is not required, applicants are expected to show evidence of prior research or research training in a related field.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Innovation Grants

Up to $140,000  over 2 years (Salary of $56,000 per year and institutional allowance of $14,000 per year)

Grants awarded to investigators who have received a Ph.D., M.D., or other doctoral degree within the preceding six years and have had no more than three years of fellowship support. Fellows receive a stipend of $56,000 per year and an institutional allowance of $14,000 per year.

NOTE: This Fellowship is managed separately from the other 4 funding programs. Applicants interested in the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship should email postdoc@ucalgary.ca.

Overhead

8% of the total costs.

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Additional Resources

AFSP Grant Policies and Guidelines

AFSP Biosketch Template

AFSP Timeline Form

AFSP Ethics and Animal Care Certifications Form

AFSP Mentor Recommendation Form

AFSP Budget Form

AFSP Signatures Form