The mission of the Avielle Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization is to prevent violence and build
compassion by fostering brain science research, community engagement, and education. We will do
so by directing resources to support breakthrough public health research that bridges behavioral
and biochemical sciences and community interventions. The Avielle Foundation is pleased to announce
the availability of funding to support public health research in the area of brain health and violence.
We are soliciting applications and hope that you will consider applying. We will award funding for one
project in 2015. While the funding is a relatively small amount (see the attached RFA), it will stimulate pilot
projects, supplement other research funds to answer secondary questions, and encourage newer
investigators to pursue research in the area of brain health, community health, violence, and compassion.
As it stands now, too little is known in the field of brain health in regard to the risk factors that drive violent
behaviors and the protective factors that facilitate empathy and compassion in a
community setting. We seek to deepen and broaden our understanding of
the biological and environmental factors associated with violence and
compassion. Once a better understanding has been established, we can
apply these insights to educate communities about how to identify the
signs and symptoms of someone troubled and how to responsibly
advocate for those at risk of violent behaviors. We can develop and put
into practice innovative policies to facilitate appropriate preventative and
interventional strategies such as counseling, education, and novel therapeutics. In
all the Avielle Foundation does, it’s our belief that we
must understand the biological and environmental factors
that impact the brain, leading to malevolent behaviors and
the
protective factors that facilitate empathy and compassion- we seek to make
the invisible visible. We are helping to build communities where all
individuals are included, given a contributing role, and kept safe. Most
importantly we are educating ourselves and others with our brain health
findings in order to dispel fears of seeking help and to facilitate rational and
effective treatment interventions. We feel that knowledge is not just power, it
is empowering and have come up with the slogan “Violence: Understand it
to end it.” Help us to understand it.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. For more information about the Avielle
Foundation, please visit our website at: www.aviellefoundation.org.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Richman, PhD
CEO and Founder
Linda C. Degutis, DrPH, MSN
Chief Science Officer
The Avielle Foundation, Inc || PO Box 686, Newtown, CT 06470 || (Ph) 203-304-1733
www.aviellefoundation.org || EIN 46-1864791
Page 1 of 3
Call for Public Health Research Proposals
Purpose
In order to achieve our vision of ensuring and improving brain health, The Avielle Foundation is committed
to supporting public health research that focuses on the relationship between brain health, violence, and
connection. Through this solicitation, we expect to refine what is known about the risk factors and
community factors associated with violence and aggression and the protective factors that promote
connection and compassion, and are looking to build bridges between the behavioral sciences and
public health. Funded studies will explore this relationship with the intent that the information gained will
lead to action. A critical component of the funding is the desire and willingness to give your insight and
understanding to the everyday citizen, from our youth, to parents, teachers, health care providers, and
law enforcement, in the form of approachable information and tools.
Total Awards
• Funds will be provided up to $10,000 per year.
• 1 study will be funded in 2015.
• All applicants will be eligible for a travel award to support attendance at an appropriate scientific
meeting or conference in order to present research on public health, community health, and
violence or compassion.
• Total funding accounts for up to 8% indirect costs.
Key Dates
Deadline for receipt of proposals
August 15, 2015 (5 p.m ET)
Notification of awardees
September 15, 2015
Grants start
October 1, 2015
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Researchers are eligible to submit proposals through their organizations. Funded applications will address
the relationship between brain health, community health, violence, and compassion, bridging the gap
between behavioral science and public health.
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The Avielle Foundation, Inc || PO Box 686, Newtown, CT 06470 || (Ph) 203-304-1733
www.aviellefoundation.org || EIN 46-1864791
Application Instructions
Please submit a narrative description of your proposed research (not to exceed 3 single spaced pages using
a 12 point font with 1 inch margins) to include the following topic headings:
• Brief investigator and project background
• Research hypothesis
• Methods
• Potential significance of results
• Dissemination plans
• Brief summary of prior research in this area, if any
Brief budget (no to exceed 1 page)
Include a copy of your CV along with the application.
Please provide the following information:
 Principal Investigator name, title, contact information
 Legal name of your institution
 Financial contact at your institution
Human subjects research approval for the project, if applicable. If the project is exempt from human
subjects review requirements, please explain. If animals are being used in the project, provide internal
animal care and use committee approval.
Please address any questions to:
Dr.Linda C. Degutis, DrPH, MSN
Chief Science Officer, Member of the Board of Directors
The Avielle Foundation
Linda.degutis@aviellefoundation.org
Page 3 of 3
The Avielle Foundation, Inc || PO Box 686, Newtown, CT 06470 || (Ph) 203-304-1733
www.aviellefoundation.org || EIN 46-1864791