The Center for Families
The Center for Families harnesses the power of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to improve our quality of life. We increase and enhance collaboration among academic disciplines, professionals, policymakers, corporations, and community organizations to build a better world for all families.
How we bring about change focused on families . . .

Opportunity
Promote the study of families from a multidisciplinary, life course perspective while also increasing the opportunity for new knowledge.

Collaboration
Foster collaboration among academics, policymakers, and practitioners to identify where research about families is needed.

Recognition
Identify high-quality family research from around the world, used to inform decisions that impact families.
LATEST RESEARCH AND NEWS
- Now Accepting Applications: 2026 Center for Families Funding ProgramEach year, the Center for Families’ offers funding opportunities that encourage collaborative, multi-disciplinary work focused on families across the life
- CFF Fellowship Lecture to feature Libby Richards – Relationships and Health Behavior Change: Rethinking Gender and Family Dynamics in Disease ManagementJoin us Thursday October 23, for the second Fellowship Lecture in the CFF Speaker Series, which will feature Libby Richards as she explores the role family dynamics play in disease management.
- Kameron Moding joins CFF Leadership TeamMelissa Franks, PhD, Director of the Center for Families, is pleased to announce Kameron Moding, PhD, Human Development and Family Science, as Associate Director of CFF. In this new role, Kameron will guide the strategic direction of the Annual Funding Program. Kameron brings a wealth of research expertise, a collaborative spirit, and a strong commitment to advancing multi-disciplinary research about families at Purdue, and through the work of CFF.
Families, in all their diverse forms, are the foundation of society. No culture has been able to provide anything better than the family for producing strong individuals for the journey of life.
—Dr. Donald Felker, Dean of School of Consumer and Family Science, 1987-1992
150+ Faculty Members
have engaged in projects that have added to the creation and dissemination of new knowledge
Who are our Faculty Partners?$700 Thousand+
of funding provided directly to support over 150 students and faculty and their research
Read about funded research30 Years
of harnessing the power of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to improve our quality of life
Learn about Center milestonesYOUR SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT
Every gift, no matter how large or small, makes it possible for the center to be involved in innovative initiatives that impact individuals and families.
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