Introduction

The mission of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) is to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance.

Call objectives and options

The goal of this grant mechanism is to improve the quality and number of investigator-initiated human cognitive and behavioral projects, and to better align this research with other ongoing SFARI efforts.

The Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science RFA prioritizes research that produces foundational knowledge about the neurobehavioral differences associated with ASD, which will directly inform the development or refinement of tools needed for translational efforts, such as biomarkers and outcome measures. Special emphasis is placed on objective, quantitative measures that may be used in conjunction with standardized clinical measures and genomic information to better triangulate phenotypic and neurobiological variability within and across individuals with ASD.

In particular, we encourage studies which capitalize on approaches to behavioral analysis that are informed by recent advances in computer vision and machine learning, as well as psychophysics and non-invasive neuroscience techniques (e.g., EEG and MRI).

SFARI has a strong interest in developmentally focused studies in areas that include, but are not limited to communicative, social and ritualistic/stereotyped behavior, as well as sensory and motor function.

SFARI also recognizes the importance of domains of function, such as attention, learning and memory, and sleep, in influencing core ASD diagnostic domains. Applications may propose either laboratory-based or real-world measures of behavior (i.e., wearables/"digital phenotyping").

Budget

The total budget is $750,000 or less, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs, over a period of up to three (3) years. For projects that propose 2-3 years of research, progress will be critically evaluated at the end of each annual funding period before support for the upcoming year will be approved. Allowable indirect costs to the primary institution for subcontracts are not included in the $750,000 total budget threshold.

Eligibility

All applicants and key collaborators must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or the equivalent at a college, university, medical school or other research facility.

Principal investigators (PIs) who do not have substantial ASD clinical expertise should include a close collaborator with such expertise on their grant application (e.g., multi-PI application).

SFARI recognizes the importance of diverse viewpoints for scientific advancement. As such, SFARI strongly encourages the inclusion of researchers who span institutions, career stages and groups historically underrepresented in science.

Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign nonprofit organizations; public and private institutions, such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, and units of state and local government; and eligible agencies of the federal government. There are no citizenship or country requirements.

Application

The submission must be done through the proposal central website (see link below this page).

• Deadline: May 3 2021.

In case of interest, please contact lnorton(ELIMINAR)@fsjd.org