Funding for research studies in the field of spirituality/religion and health/healthcare was made possible through the support of Grant 63219 from the John Templeton Foundation.
Growing Spirituality and Health Research in South Africa
Spirituality is a vital aspect of holistic healthcare and contributes significantly to the health and wellbeing of patients in healthcare. Although the scholarly field of spirituality/religion and health/healthcare is expanding worldwide, limited research has been done within the South African context.
Growing the field of spirituality and health through research is crucial for advancing holistic healthcare practices. Research in this field provides evidence-based insights into how spiritual care influences patient well-being and how healthcare professionals and chaplains could be enabled to transform healthcare practices and provide compassionate, person-centred care. Additionally, encouraging research in these areas will increase interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating insights from different disciplines such as theology, medicine, psychology, and social sciences, making healthcare more inclusive and responsive to diverse patient needs.
Available funding
Funding for research studies in the field of spirituality/religion and health/healthcare was made possible through the support of Grant 63219 from the John Templeton Foundation.
Preference will be given to research studies addressing one or more of the following research questions:
Who can apply?
Funding is available to postgraduate students and established scholars and academics from any related discipline at USAf endorsed tertiary institutions in South Africa.
Funding details
Once-off funding of up to R200,000 per study is available, subject to the budget submitted with the application. Research funding may be used for any research expenditure such as, but not limited to, language editing, statistical analysis, publishing and printing expenses, fees associated with using laboratory facilities or specialized equipment, support for accessing databases or academic resources, and expenses for surveys and data collection.
PLEASE NOTE that funding will not cover student registration fees or salaries.
Application Process
Please send the following documents to research@hospivision.org.za
- Full CV of the primary researcher
- Copy of ID of the primary researcher
- Short bios of all other researchers involved in the study
- Full and approved research proposal
- Proof of ethical clearance from the Research Ethics Committee at the University
- If applicable, proof of approval from the National or Provincial Department of Health as well as institutional permission from the hospital or healthcare facility where research will be conducted
- Detailed budget for the research study, including a short motivation for each expense
Deadline for applications
1 st Round: 31 July 2025
2 nd Round: 31 October 2025
Selection Process
All applications will undergo a competitive review and evaluation process to ensure that funding is awarded to high-quality research projects that align with the objectives of this funding opportunity. Preference will be given to studies that address one or more of the predefined research questions. Applications will be assessed based on the academic merit of the proposal, the feasibility of the research plan, the qualifications of the research team, and the potential impact of the study on the field of spirituality and healthcare.
Disclaimer
The awarding of this research funding is subject to a competitive application and evaluation process. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding, and the selection panel reserves the right to approve or decline applications based on merit, relevance, and available resources. HospiVision is not obligated to fund any or all applications received.
Funding recipients must comply with all reporting, ethical, and financial accountability requirements as outlined in the funding agreement. Any failure to meet these requirements may result in the withdrawal of funding. HospiVision reserves the right to amend or discontinue the sponsorship program at its discretion without prior notice.
By applying for this funding, applicants acknowledge and accept these terms.
