Discover Funding Opportunities

This RFA sought proposals that take advantage of the unique combination of biospecimens and rich phenotypic information collected by Simons VIP (Simons Variation in Individuals Project, now known as Simons Searchlight). The Simons VIP comprises a large cohort of individuals with a deletion or duplication of chromosomal segment 16p11.2 (approximately 100 deletion and 100 duplication carriers), with a wealth of phenotypic (behavioral, neurological and neuroimaging) data collected from these individuals and their families. Although SFARI was open to many different approaches, priority was given to proposals that aimed to accomplish a comprehensive characterization of RNA expression differences and correlate such expression patterns with phenotypes. Furthering the ability to include genomic analysis was considered an additional strength. The data produced in this effort was later made available to the research community. About 20 percent of deletion and duplication carriers meet strict criteria for an autism diagnosis; many other carriers have other neuropsychiatric diagnoses, including a high rate of language difficulties.

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 previously collected data. Applications should leverage existing publicly accessible datasets to ask new questions and extract new knowledge relevant to the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. 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. The program supports projects that are feasible to complete within two years and encourages applicants to explore datasets from which they have not already published. This RFA will not fund new data collection, focusing instead on further analyses of existing datasets that are often not incentivized to the same degree as collection of new data. Applicants must have access to or permission to access the data resources at the time of application, and priority will be given to SFARI-funded datasets including SPARK, Simons Searchlight, Autism Inpatient Collection, Simons Sleep Project, and Simons Simplex Collection.

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, SFARI encourages PAGs to connect with the SFARI science team who may be able to facilitate connections to scientists with whom to explore possible conference involvement. Funding is offered in three tiers: Tier 1 ($2,500) for groups just getting started planning to mobilize their community; Tier 2 (up to $7,500) for groups planning a significant scientific component with multiple in-person scientist presentations; and Tier 3 (up to $15,000) for groups planning the most significant scientific component featuring both in-person presentations and participatory research for families. The funding is provided as a one-year gift to support conferences scheduled between January 2026 and February 2027.