Search Through Grants for Autism Programs in the U.S.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Social Service Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Funding Priorities in Social Service

In the recent past, 15% of total funding has been allocated to Social Service. Organizations with budgets over $5 million have received 60% of funding in Social Service.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted for new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and general support

Funding

Minimum grant size is $100,000.

About the Karma Foundation

Established in 1996 to provide grants in support of organizations engaged in activities and programs in the areas of Arts & Culture, Autism, Education & Literacy, Health & Human Services and Development & Enrichment of Jewish Life.

Grant Categories

The Foundation makes grants in the following categories:

• Capacity Building
• Capital needs
• Disaster relief
• Equipment and materials
• Operating expenses
• Special projects and programs
• Start-ups

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

Education, Science and Health Grant

Education

Education grants focus on scholarships, targeted programs within educational communities, and general operating support for institutions demonstrating measurable impact.

• Scholarships: Providing opportunity for those who could not otherwise access the educational environment to not only benefit the student, but also enhance institutions by ensuring a robust and diverse community.
  • Castilleja School
  • Dartmouth College
  • Menlo School
  • Phillips Brooks School
  • Stanford University
  • Stanford Law School
• Program: Partnership with organizations with programs that enhance research and learning.
  • Stanford Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law
  • Stanford Law School Constitutional Law Center
• General Operating Support: Targeting specific small institutions to enhance their delivery of services through long-term support for operations.
  • Ragazzi Boys Chorus
  • College Track
  • Playworks Northern California
  • Eastside Prep
  • Child and Family Institute
  • Wood River Valley YMCA
  • Learning Matters

Science and Health

The purpose of our science and health grant-making is to enhance life experience through improved health outcomes.

• Research: Grants to research lead to medical breakthroughs for a healthier and more productive society.
  • UCSF General Clinical Research Institute: Salt Sensitivity; Chloride-sensitive Hypertension and Stroke, Comparative effects of potassium chloride and bicarbonate on thiazide-induced reduction in urinary calcium excretion
  • UCSF Gladstone Institute-Cardiovascular Disease
• Program: Supporting targeted programs that enhance an institution’s delivery of services.
  • Autism Center, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health
  • Mosbacher Fellow, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health
  • The impact of research in genetics
  • Hospital for Special Surgery, Patricia Mosbacher Flower Fund
  • Hospital for Special Surgery, Patricia Mosbacher Honorary Lecture in Orthopedic Trauma
• General Operating Support: Targeting specific institutions to enhance their delivery of services through long-term support for operations. 
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Danny Thompson Memorial Leukemia Foundation
  • California Pacific Medical Center

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

Yocha Dehe Community Fund 

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is committed to building strong communities and helping those in need. In 2000, the Tribe established the Community Fund to advance this mission. To date, the Community Fund has established partnerships with more than 400 different organizations throughout Yolo County, the state and nation, and granted nearly $40 million in philanthropic aid to support programs and initiatives dedicated to assisting people in need.

The Tribe’s Community Fund Board Members are actively involved in the grant process, participating in site visits and reviewing the progress and outcomes of funded programs. Some of the recently funded programs are the Robinson Rancheria Environmental Center, Healthy Vallejo Community Support Services, American Indian College Fund, and Autism Speaks.

The Community Fund prioritizes applications that support initiatives in health and wellness, education, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, and the advancement of Native rights and Tribal sovereignty.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Fellows-to-Faculty Award

The Fellows-to-Faculty Award is a new iteration of the previously offered Simons Foundation Independence Awards.

The Fellows-to-Faculty Award program supports talented early career scientists and their research vision as they transition into tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. Fellows receive funding toward the end of their postdoctoral career and a commitment of a $600,000 USD faculty research grant. Fellows engage in a lively, interdisciplinary scientific community and participate in career development activities. These resources enable fellows to confidently negotiate a supportive faculty job offer, build an independent research lab, and assertively pursue their research interests.

The program is intended for senior postdoctoral scholars or equivalent researchers whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science and whose future research program advances research in the areas of science supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division. Applicants must be ready to apply for faculty positions. Fellows may activate the award funding at institutions located within or outside the United States.

The program aims to support scientists whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science, such as members of historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals whose gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or disability status is underrepresented in science, or other individuals with disadvantaged social and/or economic backgrounds. We also recognize that diversity and underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting and across countries.

For the 2025 request for applications (RFA), we seek to support scientists whose scientific vision for their future independent laboratory contributes to the mission of either or both of the following scientific areas:

• Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), consistent with SFARI scientific perspectives
• Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB), consistent with the SCPAB’s mission

Fellows are expected to transition to a tenure-track or equivalent faculty position any time between notification of their selection for the award and the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

Mission

OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism.

We strive to use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of autistic people, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern to autistic people and those around them defines our goals and program objectives and shapes our budget.

In addition to funding research, our mission includes the requirements to:

• Disseminate new and useful information to as many members of the autism community as possible, and
• Direct all research and programs initiatives toward enhancing the quality of life for autistic individuals and the families that give them love and support.

If you are wondering what we mean by applied research, we define it as research that directly impacts the day-to-day quality of life of autistic people. It entails the systematic investigation of variables associated with positive outcomes in such areas as education, communication, self-care, social skills, employment, behavior, and adult and community living. In this context, it extends to issues related to family support, the efficacy of service delivery systems, and demographic analyses of the autism community.

In simplest terms, applied autism research is “practical research that examines issues and challenges that autistic children and adults and their families face every day.”

Applied Research Competition

Through this competition, OAR seeks to promote evidence-based practices based on research in the following areas:

• The analysis, evaluation, or comparison of current models of assessment, intervention, or systems of service delivery, including policy analysis
• Applied aspects of educational, behavioral, or social/communicative intervention
• Effective intervention across the lifespan for individuals considered severely affected by ASD
• Issues affecting adults with autism such as continuing education, employment, residential supports, sexuality instruction, quality-of-life determinants, and services and supports for older autistic individuals
• Issues related to family support, social and community integration, assessment and intervention with challenging behavior, and the use of technology in support of learners with ASD

Objective

AR seeks to fund studies that expand the body of knowledge related to autism intervention and treatment, produce practical and clearly objective results, have the potential to positively affect public policy, and provide outcomes that offer to enhance quality of life for persons with autism and their families. While applicants are always free to submit on any relevant area of research or intervention, this year, OAR has placed special emphasis on research addressing the following areas:

• Community-Engaged Research
• Community-Based Assessment and Intervention
• Community-Living and Supports
• Gender, Reproductive, and Sexual Health
• Physical Health and Mental Health
• Improving Access to and Effectiveness of Existing Systems and Services
• Intersectionality, Equity and Diversity
• Mid-life and Older Adults

Study duration may range from one to two years.

Funding

OAR will consider awarding up to 8 grant awards of $50,000 each.

Mission

OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism.

We strive to use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of autistic people, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern to autistic people and those around them defines our goals and program objectives and shapes our budget.

In addition to funding research, our mission includes the requirements to:

• Disseminate new and useful information to as many members of the autism community as possible, and
• Direct all research and programs initiatives toward enhancing the quality of life for autistic individuals and the families that give them love and support.

Community Grant Competition

Background

We believe that autistic individuals and the people who surround them (relatives, educators, health care providers) have the potential to innovate practical solutions that promote the quality of life of autistic individuals. The Organization for Autism Research (OAR)—in collaboration with the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P)—seeks applications for the Community Grant Competition.

Through this competition, OAR/AIR-P will promote the development of community resources that enhance the physical health and quality of life of autistic individuals. These resources may enhance autistic individuals’ health and quality of life directly or indirectly (i.e. by providing guidance to family members, educators, or other providers). Beginning this year, OAR/AIR-P will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 for up to seven (7) related projects. The projects may last up to one year.

Project Examples

The following are examples of projects that will be funded through this Request for Application (RFA). All projects must be publicly accessible and intended for non-commercial informational and educational purposes.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, the creation of:

• Guides and/or manuals
• Educational curricula
• Books (children’s, instructional)
• Practical toolkits
• Innovative multi-media tools

Objective

Projects will promote the physical health and overall quality of life of autistic individuals across the lifespan. Specifically, all funded projects will lead to the production and dissemination of a practical tool; all funded projects will have the potential to impact community practices or public policy and aim to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals. Practical tools that are available in languages other than English are welcomed.

Priority Topics

Projects must address at least one of the following priority topics:

• Physical Health
  • Primary Care Services and Quality
  • Community-Based Lifestyle Activities
  • Mental Health Services or Supports
  • Health Systems and Services
  • Gender, Sexuality, and Reproductive Health
• Adult Services and Supports
  • Transition Planning
  • Employment and Higher Education
  • Housing and Residential Supports
  • Financial and Estate Planning
  • Adult Sibling Support

True Inspiration Awards

The True Inspiration Awards® program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A® founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, it is our pleasure to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations making an impact in their local communities.

S. Truett Cathy Honoree

One organization will be selected as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. The S. Truett Cathy Honoree embodies the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s late founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.

Category winners

In 2025 we will continue to support nonprofits with a total commitment of $6 million in grants ranging from $30,000-$350,000.

Sixteen organizations will be awarded for their work in these areas.

Caring for People (four winners): Programs or projects supporting educational initiatives, including fostering character and leadership development, academic excellence and community involvement in underserved youth.

Caring through Food (four winners): Programs or projects focused on addressing hunger and food insecurity facing children and their families.

Community (four winners): Programs or projects focused on providing housing and other direct services to support young people and their families.

Caring for our Planet (four winners): Programs or projects that show care for our environment and our planet, or that demonstrate environmental stewardship through initiatives directly related to our other True Inspiration Awards categories of food, community and people (i.e., community beautification, education opportunities, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, etc.) 

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

About Us

Mission and Model

The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.

Simons Foundation Autism & Neuroscience Conferences and Courses Awards

Opportunity

The Autism & Neuroscience division at the Simons Foundation is accepting applications for funding of courses or conferences.

This year, courses and conferences that align with the scientific missions of any of the following programs will be prioritized:

• Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), with a mission to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders
• Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB), with a focus on healthy cognitive aging
• Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB), with a focus on the fields of systems and computational neuroscience.

Simons Foundation

The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.

Our Work

The Simons Foundation makes grants in four areas: Mathematics & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Autism & Neuroscience, and Science, Society & Culture.

SPARK Research Match Expansion

What Are SFARI and SPARK?

Launched in 2006, SFARI is a scientific initiative within the Simons Foundation’s suite of programs. SFARI’s mission is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

SPARK (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge) is the world’s largest research study on autism. SPARK’s goal is to accelerate autism research and discovery by building an online research community of thousands of individuals with ASD and their family members. Participation in SPARK is simple, free and open to any individual living in the United States with a professional diagnosis of ASD. SPARK participants consent to be contacted about other research opportunities in the future through SPARK Research Match.

Purpose

The SPARK Research Match Expansion request for applications (RFA) encourages and supports applications for SPARK Research Match studies from principal investigators to increase SPARK research opportunities to individuals whose genetic ancestries have been undersampled in clinical research. This will ensure that these research efforts better reflect the demographics of the United States.

Objective

Large segments of the U.S. population are less able to benefit from new clinical knowledge because they are undersampled in clinical research studies.

The SPARK Research Match Expansion request for applications (RFA) aims to increase research participation by soliciting studies on autism that recruit participants from undersampled groups. Proposals may be on any topic related to autism provided that:

• The study protocol prioritizes participation of undersampled group(s).
• The study topic is clearly of interest, impact, and/or importance to the undersampled group(s). Applications should provide a clear justification regarding the topic’s importance.

Type of Funding

Funding will provide per-person participant incentive (e-gift cards) for participation in online surveys or remote projects (e.g., phone interview, focus group, telehealth) that utilize SPARK Research Match to recruit participants into new research studies.

Investigators may apply for $10,000 in per-person incentive funding per study.

NEXT for AUTISM’s grants program drives our mission by supporting initiatives that empower autistic adults to lead fulfilling and productive lives. By identifying and funding innovative programs and services, we are transforming the national landscape for adults with autism.

NEXT for AUTISM has funded over 380 projects at 172 organizations nationwide.

The neurodiverse grants committee identifies and funds grantees leading the way with innovative solutions transforming the autism landscape. These initiatives address critical needs in the areas of work, home, social engagement, and health & well-being, and result in the building of real-time service delivery for the autistic adults they support and build stronger communities for lasting change.

Through our grants program, NEXT for AUTISM empowers autistic-led and community-based initiatives to create meaningful change in four focus areas:

Work: Enhancing employment opportunities for autistic adults.

Home: Improving living environments for autistic individuals.

Social Engagement: Fostering connections, friendships, and community integration.

Health & Well-being: Promoting access to healthcare, mental health support, and wellness resources for autistic individuals.

First-time grantees may apply for up to $10,000, while returning grantees are eligible to request up to $25,000.

 Simons Foundation

The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.

Our Work

The Simons Foundation makes grants in four areas: Mathematics & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Autism & Neuroscience, and Science, Society & Culture.

About SFARI

Launched in 2006, SFARI is a scientific initiative within the Simons Foundation’s suite of programs. SFARI’s mission is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

In 2007, SFARI issued its first request for applications, its goal being to attract top researchers to the field of autism research. Today, with a budget of over $100 million per year, SFARI supports over 300 investigators. Since 2003, the Simons Foundation has provided or committed more than $725 million in external research support to more than 700 investigators in the U.S. and abroad. SFARI awards research grants to investigators, nationally and internationally, through an open Requests for Applications process that is overseen by the SFARI science team and that includes external review by expert scientific panels. 

2025 Data Analysis — Request for Applications

The goal of this award is to increase use of large, publicly available data resources by supporting investigators to allocate time and personnel toward working in and publishing from these previously collected data. Applications should leverage existing publicly accessible datasets to ask new questions and extract new knowledge. Priority will be given to applications that use SFARI-supported resources, although all applications will be considered as long as data are publicly accessible at the time of application. Proposed questions should be relevant to SFARI’s mission.

SFARI Mission

The mission of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Background & Objective

Advancing open science and developing research-ready resources that accelerate autism research are central components of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)’s mission. SFARI has generated a wealth of genomic and phenotypic data across several autism and related neurodevelopmental disorder cohorts and has also supported, through external grants, the generation of additional large datasets. In parallel, many other data resources have emerged. While such datasets have already been used to ask important questions relevant to autism, many opportunities for additional analyses and modeling remain, should scientists have the time and resources to invest in these directions. We are aware that further analyses of existing datasets are often not incentivized to the same degree as collection of new data.

The goal of this award is to increase use of large, publicly available data resources by supporting investigators to allocate time and personnel toward working in and publishing from these previously collected data. Applications should leverage existing publicly accessible datasets to ask new questions and extract new knowledge. Proposed questions should be relevant to SFARI’s mission.

Scientific Scope and Priorities

We will fund applications that use previously collected data that are publicly available, either by open or controlled access, and are relevant to the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. We are open to the use of a range of different data types (e.g., genomic, transcriptomic, electrophysiological, brain imaging, phenotypic, epidemiological); investigators should justify their choice and the relevance to SFARI’s mission. This RFA will not fund new data collection. Applicants must have access to or permission to access the data resources at the time of application. 

We are interested in projects that are feasible for the investigator team to complete within the duration of the award period. We encourage applicants to explore datasets from which they have not already published and to include co-investigators, consultants or letters of support from data generators or hosts to facilitate project aims.

Level and Duration of Funding

Total project budget of $300,000 USD or less, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs (see grant policies), over a two (2) year period. Compute costs can be requested separately (i.e., are not included in budget cap), with justification, including detailing institutional policy if computing locally or rates of commercial provider of choice. We encourage the use of funds to support trainees who can lead the analysis, modeling and publication efforts.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Our Mission

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is the world’s largest private funder of mental health research grants. BBRF awards research grants to develop improved treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness.

Distinguished Investigator Grant

The Foundation’s Distinguished Investigator Grant Program offers up to $100,000 for a one-year period and is intended for established scientists who maintain peer reviewed competitively funded scientific programs. Extensions to the grant will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

BBRF funds the most innovative ideas in neuroscience and psychiatry to better understand the causes and develop new ways to effectively treat brain and behavior disorders. These illnesses include addiction, ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, as well as research in suicide prevention. BBRF’s Distinguished Investigator Grant program supports basic and/or clinical investigators and is designed to stimulate the development of key personnel and resources, to facilitate the rapid initiation of research in innovative areas, and to enable investigators to create unique scientific opportunities.