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. Empirical studies 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. Such research strengthens the credibility of spiritual care within healthcare systems and provides contextually relevant evidence to support sustainable implementation.
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.
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.
Please note that, while traditional healing practices may include spiritual dimensions within indigenous worldviews, the South African Department of Health regulates traditional medicine as a healthcare practice under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act. Our current funding call focuses specifically on research in spirituality and faith practices within healthcare settings and does not extend to studies primarily concerned with traditional herbal medicine or traditional medical practice as regulated under national health legislation. Proposals primarily investigating the spiritual or healing components of traditional herbal practices would therefore fall outside the scope of this funding.
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.
Applicants may request funding for essential research-related technical equipment, provided that the need is clearly justified, directly linked to the proposed research, and not reasonably met through existing institutional resources.Up to 10% of the awarded funding may be allocated to conference attendance. These funds must be included in the original budget but will only be released after completion of the research and upon submission of a separate application with proof of conference attendance.
Additionally, no more than 5% of the total budget may be allocated to overheads or indirect costs. However, these costs must be clearly specified and justified (such as support for project administration, compliance, facilities, or financial management).
PLEASE NOTE that funding will not cover student registration fees or salaries
Application Process
Please send the following documents to research@hospivision.org.za
1. Full CV of the primary researcher
2. Copy of ID of the primary researcher
3. Short bios of all other researchers involved in the study
4. Full and approved research proposal
5. Proof of ethical clearance from the Research Ethics Committee at the University
6. 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
7. Detailed budget for the research study, including a short motivation for each expense (Applicants are required to disclose any other funding received, pending, or confirmed for the proposed research and to indicate these sources clearly in the budget)
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.
Deadline for applications
30 April 2026
31 July 2026
30 October 2026
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.
FAQ's
Eligibility & Qualifications
Who qualifies for support, and what is key in securing funding?
Postgraduate students, established scholars, and academics qualify for support. Securing funding involves a highly competitive review process, and key factors for success include the academic merit of your proposal, the feasibility of your research plan, the qualifications of your research team, and the potential impact of the study on the field of spirituality and healthcare.
Which qualifications and research areas are favoured for funding?
Applicants from any related discipline (such as theology, medicine, nursing, psychology, social work and allied health professions) are welcome to apply. The primary research area must focus on spirituality/religion and health/healthcare. Preference is given to research that addresses how spiritual and religious interventions complement conventional medical treatment, how beliefs influence the experience of illness, how the personal spirituality of healthcare professionals influences patient care, and how interdisciplinary collaboration enhances the integration of spiritual care practices.
What kind of institutional affiliation is needed to qualify? Do I have to be currently enrolled in a program or be a university student?
You must be affiliated with a USAf (Universities South Africa) endorsed tertiary institution in South Africa. You do not strictly have to be a student; while postgraduate students are eligible, you can also qualify if you are an established scholar or academic at one of these endorsed institutions.
Is funding available for Master's research (specifically 2nd-year Master's students)?
Yes, funding is available for both Master's and PhD research, as the grant is explicitly open to postgraduate students. However, you must note that the funding is strictly for research expenditures (such as language editing, data collection, or specialized equipment) and will not cover student registration fees, tuition, or salaries.
Do you fund PhD research?
To qualify, you must be affiliated with a USAf endorsed tertiary institution in South Africa and your research must focus on the field of spirituality/religion and health/healthcare. Please keep in mind that the grant is specifically designed to cover research-related expenditures. The funding will not cover student registration fees or salaries.
Do you fund MTh Clinical Pastoral Counselling?
Yes, as an MTh (Master of Theology) student, you would meet the criteria of being a postgraduate student in a related discipline. As long as the University where you are registered is a USAf-endorsed tertiary institution, you meet the institutional affiliation requirement. To be funded, your specific research proposal must focus on spirituality/religion within healthcare settings. Please remember that the funding will not cover your student registration fees.
Do I need to have a degree?
You generally need to have a degree to be the primary applicant. The funding is explicitly made available only to postgraduate students, established scholars, and academics at USAf endorsed tertiary institutions in South Africa. If you do not have a degree and are not enrolled in a postgraduate program, you would not meet the eligibility requirements to apply as a principal investigator.
Are traditional health practice associations that are incorporated as NPCs eligible to apply for research funding?
No, for two main reasons. First, eligible applicants must be affiliated with a USAf endorsed tertiary institution, rather than an independent non-profit organization. Second, the funding guidelines explicitly state that the grant does not extend to studies primarily concerned with traditional herbal medicine or traditional medical practice.
Application Process & Logistics
When will grants become available, and what is the due date for applications?
The grants are available through multiple funding cycles. The upcoming deadlines for applications are 30 April 2026, 31 July 2026, and 30 October 2026.
What if I only apply next year?
You are welcome to apply next year. Deadlines for 2027 will be announced at a later date.
What does the research funding process entail, and how do we access/apply for it?
To apply, you must compile specific documents and email them to research@hospivision.org.za. The required documents include: the primary researcher's full CV and a copy of their ID; short bios of all other researchers involved; your full and approved research proposal; proof of ethical clearance from your university; proof of approval from the National or Provincial Department of Health, and institutional permission from the healthcare facility where the research will happen (if applicable); and a detailed budget with a short motivation for each expense (including a disclosure of any other funding).
Do you require an approved ethics certificate to secure funding? What happens if a university's ethics committee takes a long time to respond?
Yes, proof of ethical clearance from your University's Research Ethics Committee is a mandatory requirement to apply. Because there are multiple application cycles throughout the year (April, July, and October), you would likely be able to submit your application in the next available cycle once your clearance is finalized.
Is it first come first serve for funding?
No, funding is not awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications undergo a competitive review and evaluation process by a selection panel. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will receive funding.
Will the webinar be recorded to be viewed at a later time?
Yes, we have recorded the webinar, and this FAQ is based on what was discussed.
Research Scope & Priorities
What kind of projects are generally funded, and what exactly will the funding incorporate?
The program funds empirical research studies in the field of spirituality/religion and health/healthcare. The funding provides a once-off grant of up to R200,000 per study to cover research expenditures. This incorporates costs such as language editing, statistical analysis, publishing and printing expenses, specialized equipment or laboratory fees, access to databases, and expenses for surveys and data collection. Up to 10% of the budget can be allocated for conference attendance, and a maximum of 5% can go toward overheads or indirect costs.
Are religion-based projects likely to be funded? What about other religions and spiritualities?
Yes, religion-based projects are exactly what the grant targets. It does not restrict applications to one specific faith, but rather focuses broadly on how diverse spiritual and religious beliefs impact healthcare outcomes and the holistic well-being of individuals in South Africa.
What kinds of spirituality-health research questions are currently under-represented in South Africa?
The fund considers the following critical areas as priorities for exploration: how spiritual and religious interventions complement conventional medical treatments; how spiritual and religious beliefs influence the experience of illness; how the personal spirituality of healthcare professionals impacts patient care; and how interdisciplinary collaboration can better integrate spiritual care practices into healthcare.
Will programme developments be accepted?
The grant is specifically allocated for empirical research studies that provide evidence-based insights. While you could potentially conduct a research study evaluating the impact or outcomes of a newly developed programme, pure programme development without a core research framework does not align with the stated funding guidelines.
Are interdisciplinary projects encouraged?
Yes, interdisciplinary projects are highly encouraged. The funding aims to increase interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating insights from various fields, explicitly mentioning theology, medicine, psychology, and social sciences.
Is the fund particularly interested in community-based research or clinical research settings?
While the fund primarily aims to support research related to healthcare institutions and clinical contexts, community-based studies are also eligible for funding. In such cases, applicants should clearly demonstrate how the proposed research will contribute to healthcare practice, healthcare systems, or the well-being of patients and healthcare workers.
Does the funding prioritize certain methodologies?
There is no specified preference for qualitative studies, clinical trials, or mixed-methods research. However, the funding is specifically dedicated to empirical studies that can provide evidence-based insights.
Are culturally sensitive or indigenous spiritual practices considered a priority area for research?
While the funding aims to make healthcare responsive to diverse patient needs, studies primarily investigating the spiritual or healing components of traditional herbal medicine or traditional medical practice fall outside the scope of this funding. This grant is strictly focused on spirituality and faith practices within healthcare settings.
How important is community engagement in the research design?
Community engagement is not explicitly mentioned as a required component of the research design. Applications are evaluated competitively based on academic merit, the feasibility of the research plan, the qualifications of the research team, and the potential impact of the study.
