The Connection Institute
Advancing Science. Catalyzing Action.
Building a More Connected Society.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit and non-partisan research and translation organization dedicated to advancing, coordinating, and applying the science of social connection to address society’s most pressing challenges.
Advancing the Science. Transforming Society.
Social connection is fundamental to human and societal health, resilience, and flourishing. Yet despite decades of research demonstrating its importance, the science remains fragmented, underfunded, and too often disconnected from the decisions that shape people's lives.
The Connection Institute (TCI) exists to change that.
Founded by internationally recognized social connection scientist Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, TCI is an independent, mission-driven scientific institute dedicated to advancing the science of social connection and ensuring that evidence leads to meaningful improvements in health and fuctioning of individuals, communities, institutions, society, and the planet.
We work with leading researchers, funders, practitioners, policymakers, and innovators to address the world's most pressing challenges related to social connection.
Our vision is bold: to become the world's leading center of excellence for the science of social connection—accelerating discovery, translating evidence into action, and building the scientific infrastructure needed to improve lives for generations to come.
Transforming the Field
We are at a defining moment in history, where many of society's greatest challenges—and greatest opportunities—depend on strengthening human connection. Yet the field remains fragmented across disciplines, institutions, and sectors, limiting collaboration, slowing discovery, and delaying the translation of research into meaningful action.
Today's challenges require more than incremental advances. They require coordinated leadership that can tackle the field's Grand Challenges, align expertise around the highest-impact opportunities, and accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to real-world solutions.
TCI was created to fill this gap—advancing breakthrough research, translating evidence into policies and practices that improve lives, and building the scientific infrastructure needed to maximize long-term, global impact.
Discovery
Build the evidence and make it usable.
We partner with leading researchers and institutions to generate rigorous science on social connection. Working across disciplines, we integrate insights and translate them into forms that inform real-world decisions.
FOCUS AREAS
Independently or in coordination with our strategic partners, we:
Catalyze the Field
Align people, funding, and ideas to accelerate progress.
We convene global experts and funders to tackle the most pressing questions—unlocking collaboration and advancing coordinated solutions.
CURRENT PROJECTS
The Connection Institute (TCI) partners with RAND to lead the Social Connection in America™ Survey —a first-of-its-kind, nationally representative study conducted annually over 25 years.
Tracking trends, drivers, and outcomes over time—creating one of the most comprehensive datasets in the field.
Read MoreResearch Funding Opportunity - notifications coming soon!
The Connection Institute is partnering with NIVEA Connect to award seed grants to new researchers to plug gaps in the research base on social connection. Check back here for notifications in the coming weeks.
FOCUS AREAS
PARTNERS
OUR IMPACT
Our leadership ensured the adoption of the SOCIAL Framework and developed the International Scientific Board.
Supported the development of the NIVEA Connect program.
Our leadership advised the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to adopt the SOCIAL Framework and EAR Framework.
PARTNERS
UNDER DEVELOPMENT:
Optimize Impact
Translate science into approaches that organizations can depend on to be effective and efficient.
We equip leaders and institutions with clear, practical guidance—so evidence drives real-world decisions and impact.
OUR TEAM
TCI is led by internationally recognized social connection scientist Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, whose pioneering research established social connection as a protective factor for mortality and informed national and global strategies. Her decades of scholarship, policy engagement, and cross-sector collaboration uniquely position the institute to bridge science and practice. Supported by a multidisciplinary team and an expansive network of partners, TCI is poised to deliver transformative impact at scale.
SCIENTIFIC LEADERS
OPERATIONAL TEAM
Co-Founder, Chief of Operations and External Affairs
Federal and global policy expert on social health and wellbeing, public health healthcare financing, and public-private sector solutions. Ecosystem developer.
Senior Scientific Director
Federal and state programs, surveillance, and operations.
Operations Manager
Operations and administration manager with a background in nonprofit management and Monitoring and Evaluation.