Best Grants for Autism Programs in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico autism research institutions and clinical organizations can access funding for autism clinical trials through US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command, with awards up to US $1,500,000. Projects must implement clinical trials on autism treatments or management, from early proof-of-concept to large-scale efficacy studies, and include meaningful community partnerships with autistic individuals or caregivers.

Research institutions and similar organizations conducting autism-focused studies in Puerto Rico can seek funding for innovative, high-risk/high-reward projects that improve outcomes for Autistic individuals. Grants from US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command support Idea Development Award projects, including collaborative partnering principal investigator efforts, with awards up to US $750,000 across eligible U.S. territories.

Early-career and transitioning autism researchers in Puerto Rico can apply for the Autism Research Program Career Development Award, with funding up to US $750,000 for innovative, high-impact studies or early-phase clinical trials. With a mission to advance autism research, US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command requires community collaboration and at least one named autistic or caregiver partner.

Nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico offering autism-related education, health, or support services can seek funding for programs through the Mano Amiga Program, which includes autism within its health priorities. Empresas Fonalledas, via the Plaza Las Américas and Plaza Del Caribe foundations, also supports education, arts and culture, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Autism research institutions and investigators in Puerto Rico can pursue large-scale, multi-site R01 research support focused on autism through upcoming Autism Centers of Excellence Network opportunities from the National Institutes of Health. Focused on advancing cutting-edge autism science, this program may benefit Puerto Rico-based teams developing collaborative autism research projects, with awards up to US $10,000,000.

Puerto Rico autism research institutions can access funding via the National Institutes of Health to establish or expand Autism Centers of Excellence using the P50 research center mechanism. This opportunity supports large, collaborative projects leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and may benefit organizations advancing autism science and related communication, environmental, mental health, or neurological research.

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.

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.

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, including those in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico autism-focused students can access funding through Erie Community Foundation, with preference for current Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania members.

Puerto Rico autism researchers and academic investigators can access funding for SPARK Research Match studies that increase participation of undersampled genetic ancestry groups across the U.S. through the Simons Foundation. Funding, up to US $10,000 per study, provides e-gift card incentives for participants in online surveys or remote autism-related projects using SPARK Research Match.

Schools, districts, libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Puerto Rico working on autism education can seek US $500 - US $10,000 to run peer education and autism awareness initiatives. Focused on autism inclusion, Organization For Autism Research supports K–12 and community-based projects, with encouragement for districts and groups serving low-income communities.

Community organizations and stakeholders creating non-commercial tools to improve autistic individuals’ health and quality of life can apply for the Organization For Autism Research Community Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $15,000. U.S.-based applicants, including those serving Puerto Rico, may fund design, translation, web/app development, printing, distribution, and related administrative costs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting people with autism can seek funding for programs that improve quality of life, including work in Puerto Rico. Anderson Foundation for Autism awards up to US $50,000 to organizations whose services align with autism-related needs and may benefit autism programs and services in this region.

Focused on urgent autism treatment needs, Autism Care Today invites Puerto Rico families facing immediate safety risks to seek support for effective autism therapies and services. Individuals with autism from households under $45,000 annually, who have not received Autism Care Today aid in the past year, may be eligible for this rapid-response assistance program.

Families of children with autism across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, can apply for Autism Care Today’s quarterly grants to pay for approved treatment services, assessments, and materials. Funding is paid directly to providers and may cover ABA therapy, assistive technology, safety equipment, social skills programs, summer school, medical tests, and related supports.

Students diagnosed with autism in Puerto Rico seeking help for educational or recreational needs can apply for the Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship, which awards US $500. This U.S.-wide scholarship can support camps, tutoring, schooling, or other tools that help autistic children progress and improve quality of life.

Families of individuals with autism needing help with medical, nutritional, personal, or enrichment expenses not covered by other sources in Puerto Rico may be eligible for the MyGOAL Autism Grant Program. MyGOAL will distribute $25,000 in 2026 to 25 families for autism-related treatments and supports, with preference for first-time applicants.

Young adults and adults with autism or other developmental differences in the U.S. can receive $1,500 - $5,000 for independent living, housing, camps, retreats, or continued education and therapy. Focused on music-centric support, Music Movement invites applications from legal guardians or parents; Puerto Rico residents may be eligible within this national scope.

Focused on music-based autism support, Music Movement invites Puerto Rico families to request in-kind instrument donations for children and young adults with autism and other learning differences. Legal guardians apply, provide preferred instrument links, and, if awarded, receive instruments shipped directly to the recipient; typical support ranges from US $500 - US $1,500.

Parents and legal guardians in Puerto Rico seeking music therapy for children or young adults with autism or other developmental disabilities can apply for Music Movement’s grants, typically ranging from US $1,500 - US $2,500. These U.S.-wide awards help cover qualified local or online music therapy programs that support communication, social skills, and emotional well-being.

Predoctoral researchers studying autism and its links to cardiovascular and brain health, including those in Puerto Rico, can apply for Autism Speaks and American Heart Association fellowships. These U.S. awards provide US $80,000 to address critical knowledge gaps, advance health equity, and improve real-world outcomes for autistic people through implementation-focused research.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor serving autistic adults in work, home, social, or health programs can apply for grants up to US $25,000. With a mission to transform services for autistic people, Next for Autism provides project funding nationwide, and Puerto Rico autism initiatives may be eligible if other criteria are met.

The Yocha Dehe Community Fund, established by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in 2000, supports initiatives that strengthen communities throughout Yolo County and beyond. With nearly $40 million in grants, the Fund prioritizes projects in health, education, Native arts, and environmental protection. The Tribe's commitment involves active participation in the grant process, ensuring impactful partnerships with various organizations. New applicants must register on the grant portal and submit a letter of inquiry to be considered for funding.

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.