SPARK Research Match Expansion
SPARK Research Match Expansion supports autism investigators with participant incentives for remote studies, helping people with undersampled genetic ancestries participate and benefit from clinical knowledge.
Funder: Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (Application) | December 31, 2026 (Application) | November 15, 2026 (July–September decisions) | February 15, 2027 (October–December decisions)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 total per study for participant incentives (e-gift cards)
Summary: Supports remote autism studies that increase participation among groups whose genetic ancestries have been undersampled in clinical research.
Key Information: Funding may only support incentives for participants from undersampled groups recruited through SPARK Research Match.
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 prioritize people whose genetic ancestries have been undersampled in clinical research. The aim is to make research participation better reflect U.S. demographics and improve these populations’ ability to benefit from new clinical knowledge. Studies may address any autism-related topic, provided it is clearly important, relevant, or impactful to the groups being recruited.
Funding provides participant incentives for online surveys and remote projects, including phone interviews, focus groups, and telehealth. Through SPARK Research Match, approved investigators work with a dedicated team to finalize materials, build online research components where applicable, invite eligible participants, and monitor research. Study data are shared back with SPARK, and accessible summaries of published findings are shared with participants and the wider community.
