The NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program supports research and data-driven pilot projects designed to enhance student-athlete psychosocial well-being and mental health. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, managing transitions (e.g., from recruit to first-year student; transferring between universities; adapting from youth sports to college sports environment; developing independence from parents), identity development, stress management, substance use, bystander intervention, cultivating healthy relationships, career exploration and sport exit strategies.  Funded projects must demonstrate potential to result in campus-level programming that can positively impact the well-being of NCAA student-athletes at a range of member institutions.

To receive the 2025 Call for Proposals when it is released, please click here.

2024 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• 3 research teams named Innovations in Research and Practice Grant recipients
• 2024 Grant Recipients and Project Abstracts

2023 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Four studies named Innovations in Research and Practice Grant recipients
• 2023 Grant Recipients and Project Abstracts

2022 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• NCAA awards $100,000 in research grants

2021 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Innovations Grants were not awarded in 2021

2020 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• 2020 Grant Recipients and Project Abstracts
• NCAA awards $100,000 in research grants
• Food for Thought
• Student Health Allies and Peer Educators (SHAPE) Competencies
• Take a Timeout

2019 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Career Readiness Challenge
• University Orientation Class for International Student-Athletes
• Using Peer Podcasts to Develop and Strengthen Resilience in Student-Athletes
• Social Media Literacy for Student-Athletes
• Resilience for the Rocky Road: Supporting First-Year Student-Athletes in Their Transition to College
• Student-Athlete Well-Being Scale

2018 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Evaluation of an Innovative Approach to Sexual Violence Bystander Training for Student-Athletes: Leveraging Coaches as Key Influencers
• Tackling Stigma: A Pilot Program to Promote Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking in Student-Athletes
• Sleep and Health in Student Athletes: Next Steps Toward Developing a Technology Platform for Dissemination and Implementation
• Enhancing Financial Literacy Among Student-Athletes
• The Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based Program Empowering NCAA Coaches to Effectively Communicate with Student-Athletes of Concern and Make Mental Health Referrals: A Pilot Study

2017 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Athlete Mindfulness: The Development and Evaluation of a Mindfulness Based Training Program for Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Changing Minds, Changing Lives: A Winning Transition to College
• Injured Athlete Wellness Program: Creation of an Internet-Based Intervention, Providing Mental Health Support for Injured Athletes
• Online Athlete Bridge to Career Development (A.B.C.D.) Program
• PROF Academy: A Model to Enhance Overall Well-being, Mental Health Practices and Professional Development Among Division III Student-Athletes

2016 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Promoting Positive Parent Involvement: Developing a Novel Online Education Module for Parents of NCAA Student-Athletes
• Promoting Healthy Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Student-Athletes: Mental Health, Social Functioning, and Physical Well-Being
• Moving On!: Next Steps for Promoting the Long-Term Health and Well-Being of Student-Athletes
• Bodies in Motion: An Evaluation of a Program to Support Positive Body Image in Female Collegiate Athletes

2015 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Consent Communication: What Does it Mean for Student-Athletes?
• Detecting Team Potential for Athlete Hazing
• Identity, Leadership, and Success: A Study of Black Male Student-Athletes at the University of Missouri
• Moving On!: A Physical Activity Transition Program for Student-Athletes
• Promoting Identity Development in Student Athletes: There’s An App for That
• Student-Athlete Career Development

2014 Innovations Grant Funded Projects

• Parent involvement in young adults’ intercollegiate athletic careers: Developmental considerations and applied recommendations
• Developing and evaluating a model program for supporting the mental health of student athletes
• The Whole Image for Athletes
• A career readiness program for student-athletes
• Injured athlete support group: Evaluation of a pilot program
• Mental health referral for student-athletes: Web-based education and training