DraftKings Friday announced it will provide funding for the Kindbridge Research Institute’s Military Research Associate Program. The program assists veterans transitioning from the military who seek advanced training in public mental health research. DraftKings will serve as the sole corporate sponsor of the multi-year program.
“It is a privilege to be able to play a leading role in supporting the next generation of researchers while training veterans for new careers in concert with Kindbridge Research Institute,” said DraftKings Senior Director, Responsible Gaming, Chrissy Thurmond in a statement. “DraftKings has a deep tradition of supporting the military community as part of its Tech for Heroes initiative and S.E.R.V.E.S. (Service, Equity, Responsible Gaming, Vitality, Entrepreneurship, and Sports) corporate social responsibility program, which has previously provided support for Kindbridge Research Institute’s ongoing research designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans. We will continue to seek out ways to give back to service members, veterans and their families.”
The Military Research Associate Program is designed to increase the number of veterans working in mental health research and treatment. Veterans transitioning to the private sector will be provided with academic skill building, including academic writing, literature search and review, study design and execution, as well as academic and research resume building that includes publishing peer-reviewed articles.
Participants in the two-year Kindbridge Research Institute program will receive the advanced training required for mental health research at the graduate level. During the first year, participants are expected to publish at least one academic paper in a peer-reviewed journal and present a poster or speak at an academic conference.
“We are thrilled to team up with DraftKings on this one-of-a-kind program,” said Kindbridge Executive Director Nathan D.L. Smith. “At KRI, we believe that no one understands the mental health struggles of veterans better than veterans themselves. This program provides training and support for transitioning service members into public mental health professionals. The ultimate goal is to ensure those who served in the armed forces have a voice in the discussion of veteran mental health for generations to come.”
DraftKings in 2021 announced a multi-year financial commitment to KRI for a research initiative designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans and advance evidence-based research to improve the lives of impacted veterans.
Through DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, the company fosters safer play through technology, staff training, education and resources for consumers, collaboration with external stakeholders, and support of evidence-based research. DraftKings offers financial support to all U.S. state councils and affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling through its State Council Funding Program.
DraftKings also provides training for in-demand tech skills for current and returning veterans and their spouses to help expand their abilities in current roles, to find meaningful employment, or explore tech careers through its Tech for Heroes Program. Since its launch in 2018, DraftKings has hosted 21 Tech for Heroes training classes in six cities and online, with over 600 veterans and military spouses trained. DraftKings also has raised $1 million through the support from its customers participating in charity daily fantasy sports contests.
