SPARK Research Match Expansion
SPARK Research Match Expansion supports autism investigators with participant incentives for remote studies that engage undersampled ancestry groups and better reflect U.S. demographics.
Funder: Simons Foundation
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (Application) | December 31, 2026 (Application) | November 15, 2026 (September-cycle decisions) | February 15, 2027 (December-cycle decisions)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per study in participant incentives (e-gift cards)
Summary: Supports remote autism studies that recruit undersampled ancestry groups through SPARK Research Match and improve U.S. demographic representation.
Key Information: Funding supports only incentives for participants from undersampled groups, not direct payments to institutions.
Description
The SPARK Research Match Expansion program is run by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). It supports principal investigators conducting autism studies that increase participation among people whose genetic ancestries have been undersampled in clinical research. The goal is to make research better reflect U.S. demographics and address the limited ability of undersampled populations to benefit from new clinical knowledge. Studies may address any autism-related topic, provided they prioritize these groups and clearly demonstrate the topic’s interest, impact, or importance to them.
Support provides participant incentives for online surveys and remote projects, including phone interviews, focus groups, and telehealth. Studies recruit through SPARK Research Match, whose team helps finalize materials, build online components, and monitor research. Investigators share study data back with SPARK and help develop accessible summaries of completed, published research for participants and the wider community.
