About

The New Ideas Award Grant provides early-stage support for researchers pursuing bold, exploratory studies on autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Established by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), the program aims to stimulate innovative research that advances the basic science of autism and NDDs. It encourages imaginative and rigorous projects that introduce novel hypotheses, frameworks, or experimental approaches, with the goal of opening new conceptual or methodological directions in the field. Proposals are welcomed from any scientific discipline, methodology, or experimental system, including human studies, and may be conducted at any scale or level of analysis. All projects must demonstrate clear relevance and potential impact in advancing SFARI’s mission. Grants are awarded for up to two years, with a maximum of USD 300,000 per year and a total ceiling of USD 600,000.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants and key collaborators must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and maintain a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research institution. Applications may be submitted by public or private institutions, including universities, hospitals, laboratories, state or local government units, and eligible federal agencies. Both established autism researchers and those new to the field are encouraged to apply. Institutions based in China (including Hong Kong), their fiscal sponsors or agents, as well as employees of the Simons Foundation or the Flatiron Institute, are not eligible for funding.

Post Date: August 12, 2026