Grants for Autism Programs

Last updated October 24, 2026

Grantable tracks 96 active grants for autism programs in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 3 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 49 list an award amount, with a median of $25K.

Grants tracked: 96; from 51 funders
Median award: $25K; middle half $4,000–$100K
Total listed funding: $5.6M; across 49 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 7; 6 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Tres Doux Foundation / Beignet Fest Foundation Grantmaking Program Tres Doux Foundation · Foundation Not published · $4K – $76K The Tres Doux Foundation celebrates, embraces and enhances the lives of children with developmental delays and disabilities by presenting them as whole beings, and supports organizations that do the same.	Not published	$4K – $76K
OAR Community Grant Organization for Autism Research · Foundation Not published · $1K – $15K The OAR Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals by funding community-led projects that address physical health and support services.	Not published	$1K – $15K
Autistic Scientist Predoctoral Fellowship Grant Autism Speaks Inc · Foundation Not published · $74K The Autistic Scientist Predoctoral Fellowship by Autism Speaks aims to empower autistic doctoral students pursuing careers in autism research.	Not published	$74K
Jacob Rodriguez College Scholarship Autism Strong Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A one-time scholarship aimed to empower autistic students in their pursuit of higher education or vocational training, celebrating the diverse talents and perspectives autistic students contribute to communities and academia.	Not published	Varies
Community Project Grants National Foundation For Autism Research · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Project Grants program provides funding to support autism programs and new initiatives in the San Diego community.	Not published	Varies
Autism Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant State of New Jersey Department of Health · State Not published · $240K The Autism Postdoctoral Fellowship, funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to support innovative research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).	Not published	$240K
Autism Rat Models Consortium 2.0 RFA - Explorer Track The Simons Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Grants awarded through this request for applications (RFA) are intended to recharge and extend a consortium of researchers using rats as an experimental system to advance our understanding of the behavioral and circuit neuroscience…	Not published	Varies
Independent Living Initiatives Grant Music Movement · Foundation Not published · $2K – $5K Music Movement's Independent Living Initiatives grant supports individuals with Autism and developmental differences in the U.S. Grants, typically ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, aid in various areas including independent living, camps, and…	Not published	$2K – $5K
Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $700 The Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $700 grant to a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student dedicated to working with autistic individuals and their…	Not published	Up to $700
Independent Living Experience (ILE) Needs-Based Scholarship Glade Run Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K Financial assistance program for young adults ages 18-35 with autism and/or intellectual disabilities who wish to participate in Glade Run's Independent Living Experience program but have financial need.	Not published	$2K
Play Pals Scholarship (2 Semesters) Caribbean Autism Project Inc · Foundation Not published · $36K Part of the Fund-A-Child Scholarships program that provides financial assistance to children with autism, ensuring access to essential therapies and educational resources.	Not published	$36K
Predoctoral/Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant Autism Science Foundation · Foundation Not published · $35K – $50K The Autism Science Foundation offers Predoctoral/Postdoctoral Fellowships for graduate and medical students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, focused on research in autism spectrum disorders.	Not published	$35K – $50K
Autism Medical Home Center of Excellence Grant State of New Jersey Department of Health · State Not published · Up to $35M The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges.	Not published	Up to $35M
Post-Undergraduate Two Year Fellowship Autism Science Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: ASF requires applicants email ASF’s Chief Science Officer prior to submission to confirm the eligibility of their sponsoring institution - See Letter of Inquiry Deadline above._ The Autism Science Foundation invites applications for…	Not published	Varies
General Grant Programs The Children's Guild Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Children's Guild Foundation has concentrated its efforts and resources in Western New York since 1910. The Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the lives of children with special needs through grant funding and advocacy.	Rolling	Varies
Autism Clinical Research Pilot Project RFA Grant State of New Jersey Department of Health · State Not published · Up to $300K The Autism Clinical Research Pilot Project RFA aims to support innovative research addressing the etiology and service delivery of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in New Jersey.	Not published	Up to $300K
MyGOAL Autism Grant Program MyGOAL · Foundation Not published · Varies The MyGOAL Autism Grant Program provides essential financial support for families caring for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.	Not published	Varies
WHAS Crusade for Children Grants The Whas Crusade for Children Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Play Pals Scholarship (1 Semester) Caribbean Autism Project Inc · Foundation Not published · $18K Part of the Fund-A-Child Scholarships program that provides financial assistance to children with autism, ensuring access to essential therapies and educational resources.	Not published	$18K
Special Child Health Services/Early Identification and Monitoring (EIM) Grant Program State of New Jersey Department of Health · State Not published · Up to $250K The New Jersey Department of Health leads the state’s response to public health challenges and works to improve health outcomes for all New Jersey residents.	Not published	Up to $250K
Service Provider Grants: Local Impact Grants Autism Speaks Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: We are re-imagining our community grants program to meet the needs of individuals with autism today and in the future. We look forward to sharing our updated grants program in 2025.	Not published	Varies
Autism Research Grants Initiative Alan B Slifka Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies For more information, contact the Alan B. Slifka Foundation at:	Not published	Varies
N.E.E.D. Funding Grant Autism Strong Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial support for families requiring immediate assistance on their autism journey.	Not published	Varies

Showing 73–95 of 95

About grants for autism programs

Autism grants fund research, services, and community programs that support autistic people and their families across the lifespan. Autism Speaks funds both scientific research and service programs, and the Organization for Autism Research supports applied, family-focused research, alongside federal funding through NIH. Grants range from fellowships and research awards to community grants for educational, social, and transition-support programs.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow grants for autism programs down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do grants for autism programs award?

Of the 96 grants for autism programs Grantable lists as of October 24, 2026, 49 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $25K, and the middle half fall between $4,000 and $100K. The largest is $1.2M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for autism programs?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are State of New Jersey Department of Health (9), Autism Science Foundation (8), The Simons Foundation Inc (7), Autism Strong Foundation (6), and National Institutes of Health (4). In all, 51 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are grants for autism programs due?

Of 96 grants listed, 7 accept applications on a rolling basis, 6 have a published upcoming deadline, 19 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 64 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What grants are available for autism programs?

Funding supports scientific research, fellowships, and service programs that provide autistic people with educational, social, and transition support. Autism Speaks funds research breakthroughs as well as service providers running social and educational programs, and offers targeted grant opportunities focused on areas like adult transition and near-term clinical solutions. Federal autism research is funded primarily through NIH.

Who funds autism research and services?

Autism Speaks is a leading nonprofit funder of both autism research and service programs, having provided thousands of grants to organizations, individuals, and families across the U.S. The Organization for Autism Research funds applied research that benefits families, and NIH is the dominant federal funder. Autism Speaks has also partnered with the American Heart Association on fellowships at the intersection of autism and brain health.

How can my organization find autism grants it qualifies for?

First determine whether you are seeking research funding or program funding, since funders treat them differently. Research grants and fellowships typically require academic or clinical affiliation, while service and community grants support nonprofits running direct programs. Watch for targeted requests for proposals from funders like Autism Speaks, which periodically focus on specific needs such as adult transition or clinical trials.

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