Profound Autism Pilot Grants and Pre-doctoral Fellowships
Forecasted
Profound Autism Pilot Grants and Pre-doctoral Fellowships support investigators and graduate students in research and mentored training to understand profound autism and improve supports and interventions.
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Funder: Autism Science Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Pilot grants up to $35,000; pre-doctoral fellowships $35,000; one-year awards
Summary: Supports pilot research and mentored training on profound autism and severe, intense, and dangerous behaviors.
Key Information: All applicants must include support from an advocacy organization involved in profound autism.
Description
The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) supports established investigators and graduate students studying profound autism through pilot grants and pre-doctoral fellowships. The program addresses the underrepresentation of autistic people with minimal verbal ability, intellectual disability, or challenging behaviors in research, aiming to identify their specific needs and improve understanding of the supports and interventions they require.
Priorities include underlying biological mechanisms, including model systems; preliminary testing of behavioral, pharmacological, or genetic treatments; recruitment, retention, and data collection barriers; and common co-morbid conditions. Research may also address self-injury, aggression, pica, wandering, and irritability without being limited to people with profound autism. Studies with a control arm or non-profound autism comparison group receive preference. ASF’s strategic plan provides guidance for prioritizing research questions.
