Next application period: August 18 to September 15, 2021
Updated January 13, 2021
The Mind & Life Francisco J. Varela Research Grants—an important and integral component of Mind & Life’s support of contemplative scientists and scholars—are based on neuroscientist and philosopher Francisco J. Varela’s belief that contemplative training offers modern science novel methods for investigating human experience. In his vision, contemplative training not only provides a new domain for scientific study, but more importantly offers resources for advancing scientific theories and models of consciousness, emotion, cognition, and self.
The Varela Grants fund rigorous examinations of contemplative techniques with the ultimate goal that findings derived from such investigations will provide greater insight into contemplative practices and their application for reducing human suffering and promoting flourishing. Proposals are encouraged across broad domains, including: cognitive science, clinical psychology, education, anthropology, neuroscience, health/medical, social science, and humanities. Preference is given to interdisciplinary proposals that incorporate first-person contemplative methods (e.g., introspective investigation and reports on subjective experience) into traditional cognitive, behavioral, physiological, clinical, or socio-cultural research.
This grant program encourages the active collaboration of scientists with contemplative scholars/practitioners in all phases of research. To be eligible for a Varela Grant, For 2021 applications, one must have attended the Mind & Life Summer Research Institute in Garrison, NY (or online) in 2017 or later, or the 2018 International Research Institute in Kyoto, Japan. Grants of up to $20,000 are awarded annually through a competitive application, review, and selection process.
This year, we especially encourage applications that demonstrate relevance to the current Covid-19 pandemic. Please read the full Request for Proposals (RFP) for more information.
Mind & Life wishes to express our deep thanks to the Hershey Family Foundation for their generous support of this program since its inception.
**NOTE: There is a different application cycle and process for the European Varela Awards. Please visit the Mind & Life Europe website for more information. Applicants may only apply for one type of Varela grant in a given year.
For any questions about the Varela Grant program, please see the FAQ, or email VarelaGrants@mindandlife.org.
Congratulations to our
2020 Varela Grant Recipients
Varela Grant
Assessing the Implementation of Integrated Mindfulness Programs in Schools: Case Study Evaluation of the Mindfulness Director Initiative
Rebecca Acabchuk
Topics: Education | Mindfulness
Varela Grant
Community engagement in contemplative training and research with law enforcement
Dan Grupe
Topics: Self & Other | Social Change
Varela Grant
Music-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Black Americans
Grant Jones
Topics: Mental Health | Mindfulness | Social Change | Stress & Resilience
Varela Grant
Conscious Connected Breathing for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot RCT
Steven Pratscher
Topics: Body-based Practices | Mental Health | Stress & Resilience
Varela Grant
Examining Individual Differences in Contemplative Practice Response
Tawni Tidwell
Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Compassion & Empathy | Contemplative Wisdom | Mindfulness
Varela Grant
A Whole Trait Theory Account of Mindfulness in Adolescence
Michael Warren
Topics: Education | Interconnection | Mindfulness | Self & Other
2020 Varela Grants Review Committee
Kathryn Devaney, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Amy Finlay-Jones, PhD
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Melissa Rosenkranz, PhD
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nicholas Van Dam, PhD
University of Melbourne, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Fellow, Grantee
