New Ideas – 2026 Request for Applications

The goal of the New Ideas Award is to provide early stage support for bold, exploratory research that tests novel hypotheses and opens new conceptual or experimental directions in the study of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). This program is intentionally broad in scope and is designed to encourage ideas, approaches and perspectives that may differ substantially from those previously supported in the field or by SFARI. Proposed research may draw on any scientific discipline, methodology or experimental system (including humans) and may operate at any scale or level of analysis. Applicants are encouraged to propose work that challenges existing assumptions, introduces new frameworks or applies new tools and insights to advancing the basic science of autism and related NDDs. All projects should include a compelling case for the relevance and potential of the proposed experiments to SFARI’s mission: to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).

Applicants are encouraged to consult this perspective piece for more detail on this RFA and SFARI’s scientific perspectives for context on the foundation’s guiding principles. Applicants are strongly encouraged to think beyond existing frameworks and to articulate new directions that could reshape the field. We also strongly advise applicants to familiarize themselves with the currently funded projects and resources that SFARI supports to avoid duplicating efforts. Projects that represent extensions/continuations of ongoing work (whether funded by SFARI or other funders) are not appropriate for this mechanism.

Given the RFA’s emphasis on new ideas, preliminary data are not required; however, sufficient information to demonstrate feasibility should be included.

Applicants to this RFA do not need to have worked on autism previously; investigators who have not previously been funded by SFARI are especially encouraged to apply. We encourage those new to the field to consult with experts in autism research to ensure their projects are relevant to the human condition.

To accelerate research on autism and related NDDs, SFARI generates and shares essential data, tools and resources with scientists across academia, industry and nonprofits. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the resources SFARI makes available and make use of them in their applications as appropriate. In particular, given the heterogeneity and multifactorial causes of autism, SFARI has invested in the establishment of well-characterized and sufficiently powered cohorts of individuals with autism (SPARK) and associated NDDs (Simons Searchlight).  In order to facilitate recruitment from these cohorts into investigator-initiated studies SFARI has developed the Research Match program. RFA applicants proposing work in humans with autism/NDD are strongly encouraged, though not required, to use Research Match as part of their participation recruitment strategy.

New Idea Awards may be supported for up to two years, with a maximum budget of $300,000 per year, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs (see grant policies). This funding mechanism is also designed to support smaller projects and shorter-term efforts. Budgets will be evaluated for their appropriateness relative to the proposed work and the level of commitment required. Proposals requesting larger budgets will undergo increased scrutiny. SFARI reserves the right to request budget modifications at any stage of the review process.

Allowable indirect costs to the primary institution for subcontracts are not included in the total budget threshold (see our grant policies). Funds are expected to be expended as requested during each annual budget period.

Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations, The Simons Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation” or “SF”) reserves the right to refer an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (“SFI”) for consideration and funding. SFI and SF have entered into an agreement pursuant to which SF provides program operations and grant administration services, including payment processing, to SFI.

All applicants and key collaborators must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or the equivalent at a college, university, medical school or other research facility. We encourage both applicants who have long been working in autism research and those new to the field.

Applications may be submitted by public and private institutions, such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local government and eligible agencies of the federal government.

SF and SFI do not provide funding to institutions in China (including institutions in Hong Kong) or to fiscal sponsors or agents of institutions in China or Hong Kong. This includes funding to support subcontracts at institutions in China or Hong Kong or consultants residing or working for institutions in China or Hong Kong.

Simons Foundation employees who receive a W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) from the Simons Foundation, including employees of the Flatiron Institute, may not apply as a principal investigator (PI) to any Simons Foundation or Simons Foundation International Requests for Applications (RFAs) released by the Simons Foundation. PIs and any project personnel listed on the application who will receive funding for salary, travel, support for students, postdocs or research staff, lab equipment, computing time or other individual expenses may not be employees of the Simons Foundation, which includes the Flatiron Institute.

Unsuccessful applications submitted to previous SFARI RFAs may not be resubmitted to this RFA. Applicants are limited to one application to this RFA per calendar year (this applies to all applicants on a given application, regardless of role).

Applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Please click on the Funding Opportunities icon and navigate to the Autism Research – New Ideas call. Click the Create Application button to begin. Applications should be started and submitted under the applicant’s own account in SAM.

Letters of intent (LOI) will be accepted on a rolling basis starting on April 29, 2026.  Templates will be available in SAM on April 29, 2026. LOIs should be no more than two (2) pages. Up to three (3) figures can be included separately and do not count towards the page limit.

LOIs will be internally reviewed by the SFARI science team, after which a subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Feedback may be provided in response to the LOI with changes requested for the full application. Applicants can anticipate receiving initial decisions on their LOIs within 3-4 months of submission. If invited to submit a full application, applicants will have 4 weeks to submit. Full applications will be reviewed by the SFARI science team and most applications will be reviewed by external experts.

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.