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American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

Annual Giving
$8.0M
Grant Range
$50K - $1.5M
Decision Time
6mo

American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

Quick Stats

  • Annual Research Funding: $7.6-8.5 million
  • Total Research Investment: Over $30 million (FY2025-2026)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (LOI response in November, final decisions by spring)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $1,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States and international
  • Application Method: Letter of Intent required, invited full proposals only

Contact Details

Main Office:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
199 Water Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10038

Phone: 1-888-333-AFSP (2377)
Website: www.afsp.org
General Email: info@afsp.org
Research Grants Email: [email protected]
Research Contact: Jill M. Harkavy-Friedman, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research - [email protected], 212-363-3500

Overview

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), established in 1987 and operating under EIN 13-3393329, is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research in the United States and globally. With research investments exceeding $30 million in recent fiscal years, AFSP awards approximately 34-36 new research grants annually, totaling between $7.6-8.5 million. The organization's mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide through research funding, education, advocacy, and support programs. AFSP's research grants are funded primarily through small individual donations from participants in Out of the Darkness Walks. The organization has recently intensified its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in suicide prevention research, particularly for underrepresented racial and ethnic communities, and prioritizes supporting early-career researchers who will become future leaders in suicide prevention science.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

AFSP offers nine types of research grants with a two-tier Letter of Intent process:

Pilot Innovation Grants: $50,000 over 2 years

  • Seed money for projects opening new areas of suicide research
  • Rolling application process with LOI due August 1

Early Career Researcher Innovation Grants (formerly Young Investigator Grants): Amount not specified, includes $14,000 for mentorship

  • For investigators at academic rank no higher than assistant professor
  • $14,000 ($7,000/year) must be allocated for established researcher mentorship
  • LOI due August 1

Standard Research Innovation Grants: Amount not specified

  • For investigators at any academic rank
  • Two-year period with second year contingent on first year performance
  • LOI due August 1

Distinguished Investigator Innovation Grants: Up to $150,000 over 2 years

  • For associate or full professors with established research records in suicide or established investigators newly entering the field
  • Individuals may receive up to two DIGs during their lifetime
  • LOI due August 1

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Innovation Grants: $140,000 over 2 years

  • For postdoctoral researchers
  • LOI due August 1

Research Focus Grants: Up to $1.5 million over 3 years (up to $500,000/year)

  • Three types available for innovative, impactful studies beyond the scope of Innovation Grants
  • Multi-site collaborative grants require LOI by September 15
  • Other Focus Grants require LOI by August 1

Priority Research Areas

AFSP welcomes applications in all areas of suicide research, with current priority focus areas including:

  1. Diversity and Underrepresented Communities: Suicide prevention research in ethnic and racial underrepresented communities, minoritized gender identity and sexual orientation groups, people with disabilities, and those experiencing interpersonal violence
  2. Neurobiology and Genetics: Understanding biological contributors to suicide risk
  3. Psychosocial Contributors: Social and psychological factors affecting suicide risk
  4. Clinical Treatment: Testing treatments and interventions
  5. Survivors of Suicide Loss: Impact of suicide loss, after-effects, and healing
  6. Community Intervention: Population-level interventions and prevention strategies
  7. Technology Evaluation: Testing technological tools for suicide prevention

What They Don't Fund

While AFSP accepts applications from all academic disciplines with a focus on suicide or suicide prevention, they require:

  • Studies must have an essential focus on suicide or suicide prevention
  • Study designs must be grounded in a conceptual model
  • Outcomes must include suicidal behavior
  • AFSP only awards grants to individuals affiliated with not-for-profit institutions or organizations

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Robert Gebbia (Bob Gebbia)
At the 2023 Chapter Leadership Conference, CEO Gebbia noted that "while suicide mortality increased in 2021, the opportunity to save lives has never been greater," citing hopeful signs including decreasing stigma, grassroots political action, greater attention in schools and workplaces, and improved media reporting.

Senior Vice President of Research: Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD
Named 2023 AAAS Fellow, Dr. Harkavy-Friedman works with over 190 scientific advisors to evaluate progress in suicide research and chart next areas of inquiry. She has stated: "We are committed to funding novel, impactful and rigorous research studies" and "A priority for our organization is nurturing early-career researchers who will become the future leaders of this important work." She emphasizes the need to "galvanize the scientific community to understand and prevent this leading cause of death."

Board Chair: Ray Paul
Paul works closely with the Chapter Leadership Council, CEO Bob Gebbia, and Executive Vice President Mike Lamma.

The organization operates with a National Board of Directors, Scientific Council, and Research Grants Committee, maintaining local chapters in all 50 states with dedicated volunteer boards.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

AFSP uses a two-stage application process requiring a Letter of Intent (LOI) before full proposals are invited:

Stage 1 - Letter of Intent:

  • Most grants require LOI submission by August 1
  • Multi-site collaborative Research Focus Grants require LOI by September 15
  • Applicants notified by November 15 whether invited to submit full proposal
  • Only invited investigators may submit full applications

Stage 2 - Full Application:

  • Invited proposals due in early December (typically December 7)
  • Applications submitted through online grant portal on AFSP website
  • Must include project goals, objectives, methods, and budget
  • Proposals must align with AFSP priorities and demonstrate eligibility

Application Requirements:

  • Study must be grounded in a conceptual model
  • Evidence for feasibility of data collection must be provided
  • Outcome must include suicidal behavior
  • Collaborative projects with investigators experienced in suicide research are encouraged
  • Matching funds or partnering with large healthcare systems is encouraged

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Deadline: August 1 (September 15 for multi-site collaborative grants)
  • LOI Notification: November 15
  • Full Application Deadline: December 7 (for invited applicants)
  • Award Decisions: Made by spring of following year
  • Project Start: Must begin within 6 months of approved start date

Typical timeline from LOI submission to final decision is approximately 6-8 months.

Review Process

AFSP's grant review is a multi-staged, peer-reviewed process:

  1. Initial Review: Each application assigned to two Scientific Advisors who are vetted for conflict of interest and matched based on relevant expertise. Each advisor independently reviews up to 5 applications.

  2. Second Round: Applications with average scores in the top range (historically 3.5 or better on a 1-9 scale) or significant discrepancies between reviewers (more than 4 points) are sent to a Research Grants Committee member for summary review.

  3. Final Approval: Fundable grants submitted to Scientific Council for approval, then presented to AFSP Board of Directors for final funding approval.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Potential of research to contribute to understanding and prevention of suicide
  • Qualifications, experience, and productivity of applicant
  • Innovation
  • Available facilities
  • Methodology and demonstrated availability of subjects

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed by AFSP. However, the organization receives a significant volume of applications annually and awards approximately 34-36 grants each year totaling $7.6-8.5 million.

Reapplication Policy

AFSP has a two-year priority period that allows for resubmission of unsuccessful applications in the second year. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply the following year with a revised proposal. All award decisions made by AFSP are final and not subject to revision or appeal for each annual grant cycle.

Application Success Factors

Based on AFSP's documented priorities and guidance, successful applications demonstrate the following characteristics:

Strong Study Design:

  • Grounded in a robust conceptual model showing clear theoretical foundation
  • Includes evidence for feasibility of data collection with demonstrated access to subjects
  • Incorporates suicidal behavior as a measurable outcome
  • Shows innovation in approach or methodology

Alignment with Priority Areas: Priority area research applications are reviewed with the general pool but receive preference if they are strong grants in designated areas. Current priorities include diversity research, survivors of suicide loss, and technology evaluation. Applicants should explicitly connect their work to AFSP's stated priorities.

Collaborative Approach: AFSP encourages collaborative projects with investigators experienced in suicide research. Applications are strengthened by partnerships with large healthcare systems or by demonstrating matching funds from other sources.

Researcher Qualifications: Applications must demonstrate relevant research experience. While prior suicide research is not required, applicants must show evidence of prior research or research training in a related field. For early-career researchers, strong mentorship arrangements ($14,000 allocated for mentor) are essential.

Discipline Diversity: AFSP accepts investigators from all academic disciplines and considers both basic science and applied research projects, provided there is an essential focus on suicide or suicide prevention. This interdisciplinary approach is valued.

Focus on Impact: Successful proposals clearly articulate how the research will contribute to understanding and ultimately preventing suicide. Dr. Harkavy-Friedman emphasizes AFSP's commitment to "novel, impactful and rigorous research studies."

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

  • Lack of clear connection to suicide or suicide prevention
  • Insufficient methodological rigor or missing conceptual framework
  • Failure to demonstrate feasibility or subject availability
  • Weak alignment with AFSP's current priority areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • LOI is critical: Only invited investigators can submit full proposals. The Letter of Intent due August 1 (or September 15 for multi-site) is your first hurdle and must be compelling.
  • Align with current priorities: While AFSP accepts all suicide research topics, strong applications in diversity research, underrepresented communities, survivors of loss, and technology evaluation receive preference.
  • Emphasize innovation and rigor: Dr. Harkavy-Friedman's commitment to "novel, impactful and rigorous research" should guide your proposal approach.
  • Build collaborative partnerships: AFSP encourages partnerships with experienced suicide researchers and large healthcare systems; matching funds strengthen applications.
  • Early-career researchers are prioritized: AFSP has made nurturing future leaders a strategic priority, so junior investigators with strong mentorship should not hesitate to apply.
  • Plan for 6-8 month timeline: From LOI submission to award decision takes approximately half a year; budget your planning time accordingly.
  • Reapplication is encouraged: The two-year priority period for resubmission signals AFSP's openness to revised proposals from unsuccessful applicants.

References

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