SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP): Philosophers at the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University have been awarded a $3.8 million grant to study hope and optimism.

The grant from the John Templeton Foundation will be used by Notre Dame philosopher Samuel Newlands and Cornell philosopher Andrew Chignell for a three-year, interdisciplinary effort that will explore the theoretical, empirical and practical dimensions of hope and optimism.

With additional funding from Notre Dame and Cornell, the collaborative venture will total $4.5 million and include three research initiatives, residential and non-residential fellowship programs, two conferences and writing projects.

Newlands says more research is needed on the sources and roles of optimism and hope because numerous studies have shown significant correlations between optimism and overall physical and psychological well-being.