This program was discontinued in 2022


(Updated August 31, 2021)


Mind & Life Think Tanks are self-organized gatherings designed to foster insight and inspire action around an area of inquiry that bridges contemplation, research, and action. Small groups—of scientists, scholars, changemakers, contemplative practitioners, and applied professionals—convene to workshop a topic with well-defined outcomes and potentially high impact.

Proposals must demonstrate relevance to the mission of the Mind & Life Institute. We have a particular interest in supporting projects that examine the role of contemplative practices in the following three focus areas: personal well-being, compassionate communities, and/or human-earth connections. In this context, “contemplative practices” are defined in a broad sense—including various forms of meditation, embodied or movement-based practices, introspection and awareness of mind-body states, reflective writing, contemplative prayer, etc. Please read the Think Tank Application Information for more details, including how to apply online.

Grants of up to $15,000 (USD) are awarded to strong proposals that cultivate collaborations between researchers and applied practitioners, embrace multi-disciplinarity, engage leaders and changemakers, and have social and ethical relevance.

** Please note: The Think Tank grants may not be used to cover indirect/overhead/administrative costs when applicants are affiliated with a university or other large institution. See the Think Tanks FAQ for more information.

For questions about this grant program, please see the Think Tanks FAQ.


Think Tank Recipients: Highlights

Think Tanks

Resistance through Resilience: A Compassionate Approach to Interrupting Privilege

Megan Kennedy, Ralina Joseph, Jas Moultrie, Bonnie Duran, LaNesha DeBardelaben

Topics: Mindfulness | Self & Other | Social Change

Think Tanks

Contemplative Environmental Mentoring Communities

Paul Wapner, Julie Tato, Matias Franchini, Matthew Hoffmann, Cristina Yumie Aoki Inoue

Topics: Education | Environment | Stress & Resilience

Think Tanks

Contemplative Practices for Well-being of Low-income Children and Teachers in India

Nirmal Govindaraju, Ananya Tiwari, Jyothi Ravichandran, Prachi Khandeparkar, Sai Sudha Ramakrishnan

Topics: Compassion & Empathy | Education | Stress & Resilience

Think Tanks

Community Suicide Prevention Project for Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Romuald Adili Amani, Patricia Luck, Michael Krasner, Papy Lukeka, Marlin Bisimwa

Topics: Mental Health | Mindfulness | Stress & Resilience


2021 Think Tanks Review Committee

Lucy Draper-Clarke, PhD

University of the Witwatersrand

Grantee, Reviewer

Richa Gawande, PhD

Cambridge Health Alliance

Grantee, Reviewer

Adam Hanley, PhD

University of Utah

Fellow, Grantee, Reviewer

Laura Schmalzl, PhD

Southern California University of Health Sciences

Convening Faculty, Grantee, Reviewer

Tawni Tidwell, PhD, TMD

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fellow, Grantee, Reviewer

Anthony Zanesco, PhD

University of California–Davis

Grantee, Reviewer