Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) - 2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science Grants

SFARI invites proposals for research that produces foundational knowledge about the neurobehavioral differences associated with ASD to directly inform the development or refinement of tools needed for translational efforts, such as biomarkers and outcome measures.

The foundation encourages studies that capitalize on approaches informed by recent advances in computer vision, machine learning, and speech processing, 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, ritualistic/stereotyped behavior, and sensory and motor function. SFARI also recognizes the importance of function domains, 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”).

SFARI now offers two tracks within this RFA solicitation:

• Explorer Track: Early-stage projects where establishing feasibility and proof-of-concept is the most relevant outcomes of the grant period. The total budget is $500,000 or less over a period of up to two years.
• Expansion Track: More mature projects with evidence of feasibility and preliminary validity, goals such as scalability, generalizability, and/or ecological validity are now the most relevant translational outcomes. The total budget is $900,000 or less over a period of up to three years.