SFARI Mission:

SFARI’s mission is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Opportunity:

SFARI is accepting applications for funding of Patient Advocacy Group Family Conferences, with a focus on groups in the Simons Searchlight community. This funding is intended to support and enhance the research component of conferences, from scientist presentations to in-person research opportunities for families. It is open to both patient advocacy groups (PAGs) with well-established conferences as well as those in early years of convening families and connecting to science. As they plan their conferences, we encourage PAGs to connect with the SFARI science team who may be able to facilitate connections to scientists with whom to explore possible conference involvement.

Level and Duration of Funding:

Funding will be provided in the form of a one-year gift. Only one gift can be issued per group per funding cycle (12 months) and should be used within that cycle. Failure to do so will make a group ineligible to apply for further PAG funding.

Funding is offered in three tiers as outlined below. Please note that we do not typically fund any conference in its entirety, and all applicants are strongly encouraged to seek multiple sources of funding support.

SFARI will request a descriptive post-meeting report that reflects the impact of this gift.

Funding levels per year, quoted in U.S. Dollars (USD), are:

Tier 1: $2,500

Tier 1 funding is intended for groups that are just getting started and plan to use the meeting to mobilize their community. Applicant groups are not required to have a full scientific meeting agenda in place at the time of application but are encouraged to plan for a scientific component to their in-person meeting.

This is also the funding tier for groups with significant research agendas but for which researchers will present remotely to the in-person conference.

Tier 2: up to $7,500

Tier 2 funding is intended for groups that plan for a significant scientific component to their meeting. This means the meeting will feature multiple scientists presenting relevant work, in person. Relationships with some, if not all, invited scientists should be established at the time of application. All invited scientists are required to supply letters of support confirming their intent to attend the meeting and a brief description of how their research is relevant to the gene in question. The higher funding level is intended to facilitate travel costs/honorariums to attract in-person research presentations.

Tier 3: up to $15,000

Tier 3 funding is intended for groups planning a meeting with the most significant scientific component, featuring both in-person presentations by researchers as well as in-person participatory research for families. Relationships with all researchers invited to attend the meeting should be established at the time of application and letters of support confirming the scientists’ interest and ability to attend the meeting should be submitted with the application. Applications should include both the agenda for scientific presentations and the specific plans for in-person research. The Proposal Narrative should describe in person research, with details supplemented by the researcher in their support letters (see the Proposal Narrative template for details). Searchlight blood draws are not counted toward the in-person research criterion, because costs are supported separately for this activity.

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. 

Instructions for Submission:

Prospective applicants must submit an application by Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted in Simons Award Manager (SAM). Please click on the ‘Funding Opportunities’ icon and navigate to the Autism Research — Searchlight Gift call. Click the ‘Create Application’ button to begin. Applications should be started and submitted under the applicant’s own account in SAM. Please refer to the How to Apply instructions and FAQ for further details. Informational videos on submitting applications in SAM can also be found here.

Application templates will be available in SAM beginning on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The following information/documents constitute the proposal:

• Applicant details, contacts and personnel fields.
• Proposal Narrative: The narrative should include the following information:
  • The conference date (confirmed or anticipated)
  • The conference location (city/state and venue name, if available)
  • PAG/conference website(s), if available
  • The conference organizing committee
  • One paragraph describing the objective and structure of the conference as well as its previous and planned frequency. If applicable, please provide information on why the location of this conference will facilitate attendance by families and/or researchers.
  • Please also include information on engagement of your group with the Simons Searchlight community (e.g., registry participation, biospecimen contributions, your efforts to engage the community in Simons Searchlight participation, if you are planning on offering blood draws arranged by Simons Searchlight). Information about engagement with Autism Brain Net (ABN), which is also supported by the Simons Foundation, is welcome.
  • Anticipated number of families attending conference (can be a range)
  • Anticipated number of affected individuals attending conference (can be a range)
  • Number of meetings PAG has hosted previously, if applicable
  • Attendance numbers from previous meetings, if applicable
  • Number of meetings organized by your group that Simons Searchlight has attended previously, if applicable, and in what capacity (i.e., attendance? Attend and speak? Speak and blood draw?)
  • In person research description (for Tier 3 proposals). Please provide the names of the researcher(s) performing the research and briefly state the objectives, approach, power calculation and anticipated research study enrollment at the conference.
• Draft agenda for the upcoming meeting that is the subject of this application. The agenda should specify:
  • Location and dates (note confirmed or anticipated)
  • All talks (names of scientists) and activities (in person research and/or blood draws) planned (note confirmed or anticipated)
  • Link to conference website, if available
• Conference agendas for the past: 1-2 meetings, if applicable
• Researcher letters of participation: Each proposed scientist should provide a separate letter confirming their commitment to participate in the conference. The letters should be on the investigator’s official institutional letterhead. For researchers giving a presentation, they should describe in a few sentences what they plan to speak about and how it is relevant for your gene group. For those proposing in-person research, they should describe the objectives, approach, anticipated new enrollment at the conference, power calculation, and future plans for the work. Proposed scientific content or in-person research without a corresponding letter of participation will not be considered in application review.
• Biosketches for researchers: for applicants applying for Tier 3 funding only.
• Budget: Applicants will be asked to provide 1) a budget for the funds requested from us and 2) an overall budget for the conference, including other sources of funding, both pending and confirmed. Please clearly specify the requested funding level for which you are applying and provide a budget justification.

Finalists selected for an award will be notified in April 2026.

AI based application success predictor

📌 1. Fit to the Foundation’s Mission and Program Goals

Simons funds basic research in mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, autism/neuroscience, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Your proposal must clearly align with the mission of the specific program you’re applying to — from fundamental theory to impact on scientific understanding. 
✅ Predictor of success: a project that directly advances foundational questions in its field and resonates with stated program objectives.

📌 2. Scientific Excellence and Merit

Although Simons does not publicly release detailed scoring criteria, strong proposals universally demonstrate:

High-quality research questions with potential for significant impact.

Rigorous methodology / theoretical foundation appropriate to the discipline.

Understanding of the state-of-the-art and clear novelty.
These hallmarks are common success predictors in competitive science grant reviews generally.

📌 3. Applicant Track Record and Potential

A strong record (e.g., publications, prior research, recognitions) signals the applicant’s competence to carry out the proposed work. Early-career funding programs (e.g., fellowships) also weight demonstrated promise and ability to grow into independent research roles. 

Examples by program:

Travel Support for Mathematicians: Importance of quality/impact of prior research and future collaborations the travel enables. 

Fellows-to-Faculty: Focus on research trajectory and readiness to launch an independent lab. 

📌 4. Clear, Well-Written, and Feasible Proposal Narrative

Competitive applications are:

Clearly structured with compelling rationale, objectives, and expected outcomes.

Feasible within the timeframe and budget.

Specific about methods and milestones.
Proposals that are vague or over-ambitious tend to perform worse in peer review.

📌 5. Appropriate Budget Justification

A competitive application includes a realistic, justified budget that matches the work plan without unsupported costs. Reviewers look for alignment between planned activities and requested funds.

📌 6. Data and Resource Sharing Plans (where applicable)

Simons policy expects that renewable reagents and data developed with grant funds be shared with the scientific community. Proposals that include clear sharing plans demonstrate good scientific citizenship and often score better with reviewers. 

📌 7. Compliance with Policies and Institutional Support

Make sure your application:

Meets eligibility (e.g., PI degree requirements, institutional affiliation). 

Has required institutional sign-offs before submission. 

Is submitted through the correct portal (Simons Award Manager). 

Failing to follow these administrative details can result in disqualification before scientific review.

📌 8. Letters of Recommendation (for Fellowships)

For fellowship programs like Fellows-to-Faculty or graduate fellowships, strong, specific letters from mentors and collaborators that attest to the applicant’s ability and the fit of the project are crucial. 

📌 9. Engagement with the Scientific Community

Simons often organizes meetings, workshops, and symposia; reviewers may look favorably on projects or investigators who will participate and contribute to these communities. 

🧠 Practical Checklist Before Submission

To maximize competitiveness, ensure your proposal:

Aligns precisely with the specific Simons program call.

Frames a compelling scientific question and connects it to potential impact.

Shows applicant strength, past contributions, and capacity to complete the project.

Presents a feasible plan with a justified budget.

Includes required documents, letters, and institutional approvals on time.

Integrates a data or resource sharing plan when relevant.