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
Master Plants and Mindful Medicine: Towards Reciprocation and Recontextualization of Indigenous Practices and Western Psychedelic Research
Yuria Celidwen, Dacher Keltner, Juan Nelson Rojas, Yuniur Vazquez Rosalio, Nicole Redvers
Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | 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
Embodying DEI: Trauma-informed and Mindfulness-based Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
Anita Chari, Jennifer Cannon, Monika Son, Angelica Singh
Topics: Education | Social Change | 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
Laura Schmalzl, PhD
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Convening Faculty, Grantee, Reviewer
