Best Grants for Autism Programs in American Samoa

American Samoa autism research institutions and clinical teams can access funding through the US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command to run clinical trials on autism treatment or management. Awards up to US $1,500,000 support studies from early proof-of-concept through large-scale efficacy trials, with required community partnerships and options for early-career investigators.

Grants from US DOD help American Samoa autism researchers pursue innovative, high-risk/high-reward studies to improve outcomes for Autistic individuals. The FY26 Autism Research Program Idea Development Award offers up to US $750,000, including a Partnering Principal Investigator option for two PIs to collaborate on a single, synergistic project.

Early-career autism researchers and investigators conducting innovative studies or early-phase clinical trials in American Samoa and other U.S. jurisdictions can apply for the Autism Research Program Career Development Award, offering up to US $750,000. US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command supports projects with strong community collaboration and clear potential for major impact on autism.

Research institutions and investigators conducting multisite autism studies in American Samoa can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for Autism Centers of Excellence R01 network projects. Grants from NIH and partner institutes support large, collaborative research projects using cutting-edge technologies to advance understanding of autism spectrum disorder, with awards up to US $10,000,000.

Research institutions and qualified organizations in American Samoa and other eligible U.S. jurisdictions can apply for National Institutes of Health Autism Centers of Excellence P50 awards, offering up to US $10,000,000 for multidisciplinary autism research. This opportunity supports cutting-edge studies that build on more than two decades of ACE autism research progress.

The BJA FY 2026 Kevin and Avonte Program aims to reduce the injuries and fatalities of individuals with dementia and developmental disabilities who wander from safe environments. This funding opportunity supports law enforcement and public safety agencies in implementing locative technologies to track missing individuals and develop programs that enhance safety and facilitate rescues, ultimately ensuring the well-being of vulnerable populations.

Dick & Judy Hoyt Inclusion Grant

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism is excited to collaborate with the Hoyt Foundation for the Dick and Judy Hoyt Grant for Inclusion. Our joint effort is driven by a shared vision of fostering a society where individuals with autism and other disabilities are embraced and valued within their communities. In tribute to the pioneering spirit of Dick and Judy Hoyt, we will be distributing $50,000 through this community grant to support people with autism and other disabilities. Successful ways grant funds can be used: 

• Side-by-side participation with non-disabled peers in a swim program, the grant provides a private lifeguard to allow individualized support to ensure an inclusive experience.
• Grant provides the purchase of a racing chair to allow an individual with a disability to run in races with non-disabled peers.
• Competitive horseback riding supported by the grant to purchase specialized equipment to allow a rider to compete against non-disabled peers.
• Grant provides the purchase of an adaptive ski prosthetic to allow an individual to participate side by side with non-disabled peers on their high school ski teams.
• Participation in dance training and competitions to allow a student with a disability to compete in a dance competition with non-disabled peers, grant lessons, and staff to assist in dance training.
• Grant provides a mobile stand to allow a student with a disability to participate side by side with non-disabled peers in the college marching band. 

The Vineyard Family Foundation

The Vineyard Family Foundation is the product of decades of work across three generations and five states. Having enjoyed the benefits of our hard work and community patronage, the Vineyard family has chosen to provide to others what so many have graciously provided to us. 

What Sets Us Apart

The Vineyard family has always been committed to its communities. Whether supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, pediatric hospitals, the Ronald McDonald House, arts organizations, or youth recreation leagues, the family has taken a great interest in the care, health, and education of children and the families that nurture them. We take great pride in personally administering our Foundation’s charitable giving, resulting in fewer expenses and more funding for those organizations aligned with the Foundation’s purpose.

Grants

• Supporting Our Communities and Their Families
• Working Towards the Health, Education, and Overall Well-Being of Parents and Their Children

You are steps away from creating an opportunity to receive full or partial funding of your charitable organization. So that you use your time wisely, we offer the following advice for your efforts:

• As a family foundation, we are prohibited from funding individuals or any entity that is not an IRS-recognized Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity or a Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) support organization. Thus, while we cannot award a scholarship to an individual, we can fund a 501(c)(3) charity that provides such scholarships.

• If you qualify as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a support organization pursuant to Section 509(a)(1-3), we will need the IRS Determination Letter confirming as much, as well as a statement signed by your organization’s President or Chief Executive Officer verifying that your organization’s purposes, structure, and operations have not changed substantially since the date of the IRS’s Determination Letter.

• If you are a “supporting organization” under IRS Code section 509(a)(1-3), please provide a list of the public charities that you support. Please also advise whether you are a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization. If you are a Type III supporting organization, please advise whether you are “functionally integrated” with your supported public charity and provide an explanation of that relationship.

Supported Charities

The Vineyard family has historically provided funding for family-related charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, pediatric hospitals, autism-related organizations, and youth recreational leagues. The Foundation looks forward to continuing this support and extending itself to educational, research, and cultural experiences that focus on the needs of children and their parents.

Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and an IEP or 504 seeking higher education or job training may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports autism-focused academic advancement in the U.S. Grants from Erie Community Foundation help individuals, including those in American Samoa, pursue post-secondary education or vocational training, with preference for Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania members.

Researchers conducting autism studies that prioritize undersampled groups, including participants from American Samoa, can apply for Simons Foundation’s SPARK Research Match Expansion funding; awards up to US $10,000 for participant incentives. Funding supports e-gift cards for individuals recruited through SPARK Research Match into online or remote autism research projects.

K-12 schools, districts, libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S., including those serving American Samoa, can apply for autism peer education funding to run awareness initiatives using Kit for Kids materials. With a mission to support autism education, Organization For Autism Research provides US $500 - US $10,000 for school- or community-based projects.

Community organizations and stakeholders developing practical tools to improve autistic individuals’ health and quality of life, including those in American Samoa, can apply for the Organization for Autism Research Community Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $15,000. Grants support non-commercial guides, curricula, toolkits, and multimedia resources on autism-related physical health and adult services.

U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations running programs that improve quality of life for people with autism can apply for grants up to US $50,000. Focused on autism support, Anderson Foundation for Autism invites applicants, including those serving American Samoa, to seek funding for services, education, advocacy, or other initiatives benefiting individuals on the autism spectrum.

Families in American Samoa facing immediate, safety-related needs for autism treatment or support may be eligible for emergency help through the Autism Care Today SOS Program. Grants from Autism Care Today help fund effective autism therapies and services for U.S. applicants with household incomes under $45,000 who have not received support in the past year.

Families seeking help with autism-related treatments and supports in American Samoa can apply for funding that pays providers directly for services and equipment. Grants from Autism Care Today help American Samoa autism communities access ABA therapy, assistive technologies, safety equipment, medical testing, social skills programs, and special needs summer school through quarterly awards available across the U.S.

Students diagnosed with autism in the U.S. can receive $500 for educational or recreational opportunities such as camps, tutoring, or other supportive tools. The Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship may benefit families in American Samoa seeking resources to help autistic children progress and improve quality of life.

Families of individuals with autism needing help covering treatment, nutrition, personal care, or enrichment expenses can apply for MyGOAL’s need-based grants, including those in American Samoa. This U.S.-wide program supports non-reimbursable autism-related costs that are not covered by schools, insurance, or other funders, with preference for first-time applicants.

Adults and young adults with autism or other developmental differences in the U.S., including American Samoa, can seek $1,500 - $5,000 for independent living, housing, camps, retreats, or continued education and therapy. Focused on music-centric support, Music Movement invites applications submitted by a legal guardian or parent, with annual resubmission allowed.

Parents or legal guardians of children and young adults with autism or other learning differences can request $500 - $1,500 in in-kind instrument support to foster self-expression and growth. With a mission to empower neurodiverse youth, Music Movement provides U.S. families, including those in American Samoa, with instruments shipped directly to recipients.

Parents or legal guardians seeking funding for youth autism and developmental music therapy in American Samoa can access support through Music Movement’s Music Therapy Grants, offering US $1,500 - US $2,500. U.S.-based families select a qualified local or online music therapist, with monthly invoices and brief progress notes required.

Autism-focused predoctoral researchers in the U.S., including those whose work may impact autistic communities in American Samoa, can apply for Autism Speaks and American Heart Association fellowships supporting autism, cardiovascular, and brain health research. Awards of US $80,000 back projects using implementation science to address health equity and real-world outcomes.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups improving work, home, social engagement, or health for autistic adults can apply for grants supporting innovative autism services, including programs in American Samoa. Eligible projects use evidence-based methods and may receive up to US $25,000 from Next for Autism, with priority for underserved and rural communities.

American Samoa autism programs and related health, education, or support initiatives can access funding through Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s Community Fund. Organizations serving people in need, especially in health and wellness, education, or Native communities, may be eligible for support for services, advocacy, or culturally grounded programming. The fund operates nationally across the U.S.

The Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology, offered by the Simons Foundation, aim to support early-career researchers pursuing fundamental studies in plant biology. Candidates with diverse backgrounds, including engineering and computational modeling, are encouraged to apply. This flexible program enables collaborations between disciplines, fostering innovative approaches to plant science. Eligible applicants should have obtained their Ph.D. within the last three years and may include both U.S. citizens and foreign researchers. Awards will be granted to nonprofit research institutions.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.