Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Bridge to Independence Award

The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) is invested in supporting the next generation of top autism researchers. The Bridge to Independence Award program engages talented early-career scientists to pursue autism research by facilitating their transition to research independence and providing grant funding at the start of their faculty positions at a U.S. or international research institution.

Applications from groups that have been historically underrepresented or excluded in the biomedical workforce, including but not limited to racial and ethnic groups, sexual orientation and gender identities, individuals with mental/physical disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are encouraged.

Request for applications (RFA) open each year and are aimed at scientists with a Ph.D. and/or M.D. who are currently in training positions but intend to seek tenure-track research faculty positions during the upcoming academic job cycle. Fellows will receive up to two (2) years of postdoctoral fellowship support with an annual salary of $70,000, fringe benefits, an annual resource and professional development allowance of $10,000, and indirect costs (limited to 20 percent of modified total direct costs, see Simons Foundation policies) followed by a commitment of $600,000 over three (3) years, including indirect costs (limited to 20 percent of modified total direct costs, see Simons Foundation policies) activated upon assumption of a tenure-track research professorship.