Applications for Exploratory Autism Research

The mission of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) is to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance.

To advance this mission, the foundation invites Letters of Intent for its 2021 Pilot Award program. Through the program, grants of up to $300,000 over two years (including 20 percent indirect costs) will be awarded in support of exploratory ideas in the field of autism research, particularly those with a novel hypothesis. Eligible projects include those considered higher risk but with the potential for transformative results. In particular, SFARI encourages applications that propose research with the potential to link genetic or other ASD risk factors to molecular, cellular, circuit, or behavioral mechanisms, setting the stage for the development of novel interventions. Investigators new to the field of autism are encouraged to apply.

All applicants and key collaborators must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or the equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility. Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign nonprofit organizations; public and private institutions, including colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, and units of state and local government; and eligible agencies of the federal government. There are no citizenship or country requirements.

Letters of Intent are due May 6. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by August 12, 2021.

See the SFARI website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and information about previously funded initiatives.