The Simons Foundation’s Autism & Neuroscience division is accepting applications for the Fellows-to-Faculty Award program. Deadline for application submission: 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Eastern Time on January 14, 2026.

Program Overview

The Fellows-to-Faculty Award program supports talented early career scientists by facilitating their transition into tenure-track faculty positions. The focus of this program is the $600,000 USD three-year faculty research grant. Additionally, fellows engage with a community of investigators and receive mentoring and peer support during their transition.

The Simons Foundation’s Autism & Neuroscience division offers the program to nurture new talent and to broaden the community of scientists contributing to the scientific missions of our programs. We drive innovation and collaboration by supporting scientists with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences.

This request for applications (RFA) is intended for Ph.D. and/or M.D.-holding scientists currently in mentored research training positions who intend to seek tenure-track research faculty positions during the upcoming academic job cycle. Applicants must have a scientific vision for their future independent laboratory that advances the mission of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) or Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB).

Informational Webinar

An informational webinar about the Fellows-to-Faculty Award was held on November 5, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the recording here.

Scientific Focus

For the 2026 request for applications (RFA), we seek to support early career scientists whose scientific vision for their future independent laboratory contributes to the mission 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

Applicants may submit to SFARI, SCPAB or both. If submitting to more than one scientific area, applicants must submit separate applications, tailored to the scientific focus. We welcome applications from scientists with a previous background in these areas and those newly applying their expertise to these areas.

New for the 2026 application cycle, we are launching the addition of two unique tracks within our Fellows-to-Faculty community. These tracks ensure our scientific communities are enriched with expertise and perspectives that enhance the pursuit of science relevant to the mission of SFARI and SCPAB. All applicants will be considered for the general track for SFARI and/or SCPAB, as indicated in their application. Applicants have the option of additionally selecting whether they would like to be considered for either of the following tracks within each science area:

Computational Scientist Track: The computational science track seeks senior postdoctoral fellows with strong computational and/or theoretical backgrounds who aim to bring their approaches to work on key questions related to the SFARI and/or SCPAB missions.

Clinical Scientist Track: The clinical scientist track seeks applicants with clinical doctoral degrees (M.D., M.D./Ph.D., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in clinical discipline) pursuing independent research careers with a scientific focus that aligns with our interest areas in basic science (in humans or model systems) in SFARI and/or SCPAB.

Timeline for Transition to a Faculty Position

Fellows are expected to apply to tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions starting in September 2026 and begin their new faculty position during the 2027-2028 academic year.

Funding

Each fellow is provided up to five (5) years of financial support, split into a faculty research award over three (3) years, and an optional, preceding postdoctoral award for a maximum of two (2) years. Fellows may activate awards at research institutions within or outside of the United States.

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. SFI grant recipients are subject to SF Policies and Procedures.

Faculty Research Award

The Faculty Research Award includes $200,000 USD, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs, per year for three (3) years, intended as a supplement to a full, institution-provided start-up package. Funds may be used for reasonable costs related to the fellow’s scientific research.

The grant must be activated within the first 12 months of the fellow starting their faculty position.

Postdoctoral Award

The Postdoctoral Award is intended to support the fellow while on the faculty job market during their transition to the faculty position. To hold this award, the fellow must be a postdoctoral researcher or hold an equivalent non-independent, mentored research training position. Fellows are not required to accept the Postdoctoral Award.

If accepted, the Postdoctoral Award must be activated on September 1, 2026. The end date of the Postdoctoral Award is the date the fellow departs from their postdoctoral position or August 31, 2028, whichever occurs first. The Postdoctoral Award includes the following, annually:

• $85,000 USD stipend
• $10,000 USD career development allowance
• $15,000 USD health insurance & other benefits allowance

No indirect or overhead costs may be charged to the postdoctoral award.

The award may be supplemented by other sources of funding.

Application and Review Process

Applicants are encouraged to review the How to Apply and FAQs before applying. Applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM) by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Eastern Time on January 14, 2026.

The scope of the application should be similar to that of a faculty job application including specific research directions, relevance to the scientific mission of the area(s), and demonstration of preparedness for launching an independent laboratory at this time. Applicants should focus their scientific proposal on their plans for their future lab rather than a specific three (3) year project proposal. Postdoctoral research aims or training goals should not be included in the application.

Applications are reviewed by Simons Foundation scientific staff and an expert review committee. Finalists will be invited for a short virtual interview in May 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.