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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.

This grant program provided supplemental funding for ongoing pregnancy cohorts recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance biospecimen collection and extend post-natal family tracking. The program aimed to create cohorts and biospecimen collections that could be leveraged in future research to understand the effects of gestational infection and inflammation on autism risk in children. SFARI offered this funding because many existing cohorts collected maternal blood at only one or two timepoints and almost none collected stool specimens. A majority of cohorts also lacked child follow-up beyond a few months of age. The program specifically supported the collection of maternal blood for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cytokine assays, cord blood at birth, and ideally maternal stool specimens at multiple timepoints. Awards were intended to complement existing biospecimen collection with tracking of families after delivery to determine child neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2-3 years.