[Simons Foundation](https://www.simonsfoundation.org)

January 2027 (Full application and reference letters)

Two-year postdoctoral award: $85,000/year stipend + $10,000/year career development + $15,000/year health/benefits; Three-year faculty research award follows postdoc phase

Supports early career neuroscientists transitioning from mentored research to independent faculty roles in autism or aging brain research.

--- ## Description This program supports outstanding early career scientists as they move from mentored, non-independent research positions into tenure-track or equivalent faculty roles. The award is designed to nurture new talent and broaden the community of researchers in neuroscience, specifically in autism (SFARI) and plasticity/aging brain (SCPAB) fields. The program provides two years of postdoctoral funding followed by a three-year faculty research grant, contingent on securing a qualifying faculty position. Fellows join a community of Simons Foundation investigators, fostering innovation and collaboration across diverse backgrounds and perspectives. --- ## Due Dates - January 2027 (anticipated): Full application and reference letters submission deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Postdoctoral Award (2 years):** - $85,000/year stipend - $10,000/year career development allowance (flexible use for career advancement) - $15,000/year for health insurance and other benefits - No indirect or overhead costs allowed - **Faculty Research Award (3 years):** - Amount not specified in current call; awarded after successful transition to a qualifying faculty position and submission of a secondary application --- ## Eligibility - Hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) - In a non-independent, mentored research training position (e.g., postdoc, clinical fellow) - Actively seeking tenure-track or equivalent faculty appointments - No citizenship or residency restrictions; open to applicants at U.S. and non-U.S. institutions - May not have accepted a formal offer for a tenure-track faculty position by the time of award notification - May not simultaneously hold other career development awards that facilitate transition to independence (e.g., NIH K99/R00, HHMI Hanna H. Gray, Burroughs Wellcome CAMS) - Maximum of two years of applications to this or predecessor Simons transition awards - Applicants may apply to one or both science areas (SFARI, SCPAB), but must submit separate, tailored applications --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via [Simons Award Manager (SAM)](https://sam.simonsfoundation.org/) - Required components: - Proposal narrative (max 5 pages) - Graphical abstract (max 0.5 page) - Biosketch (SAM, NIH, or NSF format; max 5 pages) - Statement of purpose (max 1 page) - Confirmation letter for mentored training position - Three confidential letters of reference (at least one from current mentor; submitted directly in SAM) - Publications and other support (current and pending) - Two-year postdoctoral budget (no budget required for faculty phase at application) - Institutional signing official and financial officer sign-off required before submission - Detailed [application instructions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rvvltYJ4KK5hPMfvDMFv75zLHB0PAei6/view?usp=sharing) available --- ## Additional Information - Research proposals must align with the missions of [SFARI](https://www.sfari.org/) (autism) or [SCPAB](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/collaborations/plasticity-and-the-aging-brain/) (plasticity and aging brain). - Clinical efficacy trials are not allowed; basic science in clinical populations is permitted. - No indirect or overhead costs allowed on postdoctoral phase. - Faculty award phase is contingent on securing an eligible faculty position and completing an internal review. - Fellows are encouraged, but not required, to seek faculty positions at institutions different from their postdoctoral institution. - For non-U.S. awards, see [Simons Foundation policies](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/policies-and-procedures/). --- ## External Links - [Program Page & How to Apply](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/fellows-to-faculty-award/?tab=how-to-apply) - [SFARI (Autism Research)](https://www.sfari.org/) - [SCPAB (Plasticity and the Aging Brain)](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/collaborations/plasticity-and-the-aging-brain/) - [Simons Award Manager (SAM)](https://sam.simonsfoundation.org/) - [Detailed Application Instructions (DOCX)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rvvltYJ4KK5hPMfvDMFv75zLHB0PAei6/view?usp=sharing) - [Simons Foundation Grant Policies](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/policies-and-procedures/) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Contact Email | |--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | SFARI Administrative | [sfarigrants@simonsfoundation.org](mailto:sfarigrants@simonsfoundation.org) | | SFARI Scientific | [sciencerfa@simonsfoundation.org](mailto:sciencerfa@simonsfoundation.org) | | SCPAB Administrative | [neurogrants@simonsfoundation.org](mailto:neurogrants@simonsfoundation.org) | | SCPAB Scientific | [agingbrain@simonsfoundation.org](mailto:agingbrain@simonsfoundation.org) | | Technical Assistance (SAM) | [samsupport@simonsfoundation.org](mailto:samsupport@simonsfoundation.org) | Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time For general inquiries, see the [Simons Foundation contact page](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/contact/).

Fellows-to-Faculty Award

Sign in to see full grant listing