Emory University’s Nia Project has received a $2.5 million grant from the Action for Women’s Health initiative to enhance trauma-informed mental health care and research for women. The funding will support the expansion of clinical programs, research efforts, and access to care for women affected by violence, trauma, or suicidal behavior. The Nia Project operates out of Grady Health System.
Action for Women’s Health is a global initiative launched in 2024 with $250 million in funding provided by Pivotal, an organization founded by Melinda French Gates. The initiative aims to advance women’s mental and physical health worldwide. Over 4,000 organizations from 119 countries applied for funding, with 80 chosen after a peer and expert review process.
“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this transformative support for the Nia Project,” said Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine and chief psychologist at Grady Health System. “This investment affirms our mission to empower women who have experienced trauma and to help them rebuild their lives with strength and purpose.”
Founded by Kaslow in the early 1990s, the Nia Project provides culturally responsive therapy, crisis intervention, and community-based programs designed to help women heal from trauma and strengthen resilience. The project combines clinical care with research focused on gender-responsive models of mental health support.
“This generous contribution ignites a bold new chapter for the Nia Project,” said Dorian A. Lamis, PhD, co-director of the Nia Project and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. “It allows us to expand access to comprehensive care and continue developing approaches that embolden women recover and thrive.”
Sarah E. Dunn, PhD, co-director of the Nia Project and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine added: “The Action for Women’s Health award empowers us to dream bigger, act bolder and build a future where every woman regardless of her circumstances can move forward with dignity, strength and hope.”
For more details about Action for Women’s Health and its recipients, visit Lever for Change.
