Funder: Autism Speaks
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Autistic Scientists LOI; AHA predoctoral and postdoctoral proposals) | September 2027 (Autistic Scientists mentor recommendations and full application)
Funding Amounts: Predoctoral Fellowship for Autistic Scientists: $40,000 per year for two years
Summary: Grants and fellowships support autism biology, health and service-delivery research to improve autistic people's quality of life across the lifespan.
Key Information: The Autistic Scientists fellowship requires autistic doctoral students with at least two years remaining; U.S. and international institutions are eligible.
Description
Autism Speaks supports research and innovation that deepen understanding of autism biology across its diverse presentations and translate discoveries into practical, life-enhancing solutions. A central focus is implementation science: how evidence-based practices can be adopted and delivered in healthcare systems and community settings. Collaboration with the autistic community helps keep research inclusive, grounded in lived experience and responsive to unmet needs.
The portfolio includes a predoctoral fellowship to elevate autistic voices in research, American Heart Association (AHA) fellowships addressing autism alongside cardiovascular and brain health, and Royal Arch Research Assistance support for central auditory processing disorder research. Strategic priorities for 2024–2026 include aging and autism, wellbeing for people and families facing severe and challenging behaviors and special healthcare needs, and service-delivery innovations that expand the global reach of support.
