SFARI New Ideas Award
The SFARI New Ideas Award funds innovative, early-stage research that explores novel scientific directions in autism and neurodevelopmental disorder biology.
Funder: Simons Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Letters of Intent accepted starting April 29, 2026)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000/year (max 2 years; $600,000 total, inclusive of 20% indirects)
Summary: Supports bold, early-stage research proposing novel directions in autism and neurodevelopmental disorder science.
Key Information: Projects that are extensions of ongoing work or resubmissions to prior SFARI RFAs are not eligible.
Description
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) New Ideas Award provides early-stage support for innovative, high-risk, high-reward research that tests novel hypotheses and opens new conceptual or experimental directions in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) science. This mechanism is intentionally broad, encouraging proposals that challenge existing assumptions, introduce new frameworks, or apply innovative tools and insights from any scientific discipline. Proposals may involve studies in humans or any experimental system and at any scale. The program specifically aims to stimulate research that differs substantially from previously supported projects, with an emphasis on basic science that advances understanding of autism biology. Preliminary data are not required, but feasibility must be demonstrated.
