This program is not accepting applications in 2022.
What is included under the budget?
Think Tank budgets can be used for any reasonable cost related to holding the meeting(s) and creating the deliverables. This can include: travel, accommodations, meals, honoraria, recording costs, publishing costs, etc. There is no restriction on how funds are allocated into these categories; that is the discretion of the organizers. However, budget appropriateness is considered by the review committee. Note that grant funds may not be used for academic or professional conference attendance.
Do Mind & Life grants cover indirect costs?
Mind & Life grants may not be used to cover indirect/overhead/administrative costs when applicants are affiliated with a university or other large institution. If a grant is awarded, the grantee’s institution must agree to waive all overhead and administrative fees, and further agree that the funds will be used solely for Think Tank-related expenses, organized and managed by the grantee. (Exceptions may be made for applicants who are not affiliated with a university or other large institution. If this is your case, please contact us at ThinkTanks@mindandlife.org.)
My proposal is part of a larger project that already has funding. How should I reflect this in the budget?
The budget you submit should cover the use of funds from this grant only. If you have additional funding sources for your proposal, please include this information in the relevant application section following the budget. Be specific about how the Think Tank grant for which you are applying will be used within the larger budget.
Can I submit two applications for different projects, or different aspects of the same project?
We do not accept two separate grant proposals from the same applicant, or from different applicants for two aspects of the same project.
Are these grants open to applicants outside the US?
Yes. Mind & Life Grants are open to applicants of any country or citizenship.
Who receives the grant money?
Grant funds will be disbursed to the institution or organization where the grantee (applicant) is primarily affiliated. The funds cannot be given directly to an individual.
What if I need more than two years to complete the meeting and deliverables?
The length of the grant is two years from the date of the notification of grant acceptance. If more time is necessary, a request for extension needs to be submitted to Mind & Life for approval (this can be done through the mli.smapply.org platform).
Can I apply if I’m a current Mind & Life grantee?
It depends: Think Tank applicants may be currently funded through a Mind & Life research grant (e.g., Varela, PEACE), but may not be currently funded for an active Think Tank. In addition, no individual may be funded more than three times from the same Mind & Life grant program.
