Conference Support for Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder Communities in Simons Searchlight
Forecasted
Conference Support for Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder Communities in Simons Searchlight supports patient advocacy groups’ conferences with scientific talks and family research participation to connect with science.
Funder: Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $2,500, up to $7,500, or up to $15,000 USD as a one-year gift
Summary: Supports scientific presentations and family research participation at patient advocacy group conferences for Simons Searchlight communities.
Key Information: Applicants must represent Simons Searchlight Gene/CNV groups and use Simons Searchlight as their major registry.
Description
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) supports patient advocacy group family conferences that connect rare neurodevelopmental disorder communities with research. Funding enhances conferences’ scientific components, from researcher presentations to in-person opportunities for families to participate in research. The program serves both established conferences and groups in their early years of convening families and connecting with science, reflecting SFARI’s mission to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
Three funding tiers accommodate different levels of scientific programming: community-building meetings and remote scientific talks, multiple in-person scientific presentations, and programs combining presentations with participatory research. Groups planning conferences are encouraged to connect with the SFARI science team, which may help identify scientists interested in participating.
