Request for Research Proposals:
Religion and Health: Effects,
Mechanisms, and Interpretation
Summary and Progress
Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health (STH)
conducted a Request for Research Proposals (RFP) entitled Religion
and Health: Effects, Mechanisms, and Interpretation for research
to elucidate how religion/spirituality influences individual and
community health. This RFP focused on the health effects of active
involvement in faith communities (religious attendance, worship,
altruistic and caring activities).
In response to the RFP, the
Center for STH received 232 letters of intent. From these, 40 finalists
were chosen to submit full proposals. These proposals were reviewed and
judged by a panel of scholars, and the seven winners of the $200,000
grants have been chosen. The research will be conducted within a time
span of two years beginning in 2008. Please follow the link below to see
a list of the awardees, learn about the projects and read more about the
selection process.
The goals of this research are to (1) document
effects on health (where health is broadly defined), (2) clarify the
biological, social, psychological mechanisms involved, and (3) interpret
what the findings mean for individual, congregational, and community
health through trans-disciplinary collaboration and deliberation. This
research will advance scientific understanding of the mechanisms by
which spirituality has an impact on health. It will build on previous
findings regarding the association between religious attendance and
health and will enhance our ability to interpret these findings through
the engagement of multiple disciplines including theology and others.
Background (PDF)
Request for Research Proposals (PDF)
Finalists: Please contact Catherine Craver at 919.660.7556 or catherine.craver@duke.edu if you have any questions.
