Since 2004, the Mind & Life Institute has funded transformative research exploring the intersection of contemplative practices and modern science. Our work and grant programs support interdisciplinary research projects that deepen understanding of the human mind while fostering well-being and reducing suffering.
In 2024, the Laurisa S. Dill Legacy Award was created, a $25,000 annual grant established by Laurisa’s family to honor her life and passion for mindfulness education and contemplative research. The award will fund one contemplative research project each year, continuing Laurisa’s commitment to advancing mental health, community well-being, and scientific inquiry.
Passionate about inspiring growth and change in people, Laurisa dedicated her career to teaching mindfulness and contemplative practices. The Laurisa S. Dill Legacy Award reflects this ethos, supporting research that explores contemplative practices as tools for advancing mental health and community well-being. Recent grantees have studied topics such as compassionate design for young adults with childhood-onset chronic conditions.
Mind & Life is grateful to partner with Laurisa’s family in honoring her memory. Through this annual award, Laurisa’s passion for mindfulness and contemplative science will inspire researchers and benefit communities for years to come.
To read more about Laurisa’s legacy, read our blog post.
Read the full Request for Proposals (RFP) for more information:
For any questions about the Mind & Life Research Grant program, please see the FAQ, or email grants@mindandlife.org.
Recent Grantees
Laurisa S. Dill Legacy Award
Compassionate Design Approaches: Co-Developing Digital Therapeutics with Emerging Adults
Denise Quesnel
Our aim is to explore a process of ‘compassionate design’ for therapeutic digital interventions in collaboration with emerging adults who have childhood-onset chronic conditions. These young people have been shaped by unique experiences, facing life-long challenges and health inequities within the healthcare system—issues exacerbated by their underrepresentation and under-engagement in research. This project aims to …
