Eligibility guidelines now explicitly prohibit holding a Ramón y Cajal or prior Simons Independence Award alongside this funding. Keep in mind that your application requires exactly three reference letters, which must all be submitted before you can finalize the package. Finally, if you accept a faculty role at your current institution, be prepared to submit extra documentation proving your research independence.
Funder: Simons Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027: Full application submission deadline (projected) | January 2027: Letters of reference submission deadline (projected)
Funding Amounts: Two-year postdoctoral award: $85,000/year stipend + $10,000/year career development + $15,000/year benefits; three-year faculty research grant follows postdoc phase.
Summary: Supports early career scientists transitioning from mentored research to independent faculty positions in autism research or cognitive aging.
Key Information: Applicants cannot hold other career transition awards; eligibility is open internationally.