Funding opportunity
Researchers are invited to apply for a new funding opportunity which invites investigator-led proposals to conduct an environmental scan to evaluate the role of self-compassion in mitigating moral injury and to assess the effectiveness of self-compassion training within the CAF. This research may inform future training strategies aimed at enhancing resilience and mental health among military personnel.
Anticipated timeline and budget
- Application Deadline:
- 10 October 2025 11:59 PM (PDT)
- Estimated Project End Date:
- 31 March 2026
- Grant funding available:
- $40,000
Background
Self-compassion - the tendency to have kind and understanding self-regard towards one’s failures, flaws, and weaknesses - is increasingly recognized as a critical protective factor for the mental health of military personnel and Veterans. Research has shown that higher levels of self-compassion are associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and suicidality among U.S. Veterans, with similar trends observed in members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)s. Moreover, self-compassion appears to buffer the psychological impact of morally injurious events—experiences that challenge deeply held moral beliefs and can lead to lasting psychological harm.
Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) has recently integrated self-compassion activities into the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training for Health Services personnel. However, key questions remain about the effectiveness of these interventions and the extent to which self-compassion can be taught and sustained within operational military contexts.
The Challenge
How can self-compassion be effectively cultivated in military personnel, and to what extent does it protect against the psychological effects of moral injury?
This challenge invites researchers to explore the literature on self-compassion and moral injury in military and Veteran contexts. Findings may support evidence-based enhancements to CAF training programs and could assist in contributing to broader mental health policies in the future.
Research Objectives
This funding opportunity seeks proposals to conduct an environmental scan of recent internationally relevant literature regarding the role of self-compassion in mitigating moral injury in currently serving military members and Veteran populations.
- Highlight key findings and any caveats regarding the effects of self-compassion as a method of recovery from moral injury in military and Veteran members.
- Provide an overview of methodological approaches to the study of self-compassion in military and Veteran populations.
- Generate recommendations for the integration of self-compassion principles and interventions into military and Veteran mental health programs targeting moral injury.
Expected Outcomes
- Peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or open-access research report(s).
- Evidence-based recommendations on training or promoting self-compassion in military personnel.
Applicant Qualifications and Eligibility
- Lead investigators must hold a PhD in psychology, neuroscience, or a related mental health discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in military mental health, moral injury, and intervention research.
- Experience conducting systematic reviews and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- Proven track record of research involving CAF populations or analogous military groups.
- Familiarity with self-compassion literature and interventions are an asset.
Selection Criteria
- Scientific merits and innovation.
- Relevance to the challenge and public interest.
- Research feasibility and methodological rigor.
- Qualifications and diversity of the research team.
- Knowledge of translation and dissemination strategy.
Application deadline
Please download and submit the Research Funding Application form.
Enquiries
Questions about this funding opportunity can be sent to the VAC Research office.