Simons Foundation Accepting Applications for Independence Fellows Program

In order to advance the frontiers of research in science, the Simons Foundation recognizes the need for a diversity of ideas and perspectives contributing to the scientific enterprise. To that end, the foundation supports talented early-career scientists from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds as they transition from mentored training to independent research positions.

The foundation is currently accepting applications for independence awards offered through the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) and Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB).

Applications for the three programs are due on January 10, 2024, with the final selection of fellows expected in July 2024. Simons Foundation staff held an informational webinar covering all three independence awards on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Recordings of the webinar are available for viewing.

Selected applicants will receive up to two years of postdoctoral support with an annual salary of $85,000 plus a yearly resource and professional development allowance of $10,000. Upon assumption of an approved tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent), fellows will receive grant funding of $600,000 total over three years.

All three award programs are open to individuals who self-identify as members of diverse groups within these categories: race, ethnicity, disadvantaged social or economic background, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability status. Each program focuses on different research areas.

The SFARI Bridge to Independence Award welcomes applications that span the breadth of autism science that SFARI supports, including genetics, molecular mechanisms, circuits and systems, and clinical science.

The SCGB Transition to Independence Award is open to scientists investigating large-scale circuits at single-cell resolution to understand neural dynamics and coding.

The SCPAB Transition to Independence Award supports researchers investigating the mechanisms of cognitive resilience and functional maintenance of the healthy aging brain. Experience in aging research is not required; the program welcomes applications from candidates with backgrounds in neuroscience, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, cell biology and the physical and information sciences.

Prospective applicants should familiarize themselves with each program’s scientific area of focus before applying.