BRAIN Foundation Research Grants

BRAIN Foundation Research Grants

Funder: The BRAIN Foundation (CA, US)
Website: brainfoundation.org
Contact: info@brainfoundation.org
Address: 5912 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588
EIN: 83-4072118

Mission

Supporting translational research that will lead to the development of FDA-approved treatments and an improved standard of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).

Funding Status (2026)

Current Status: 2026 research grants will be awarded on invitation-only basis. Open call for proposals anticipated to resume next year.

Geographic Scope

• US only (International researchers may collaborate with US-based PI)

Focus Areas

Primary focus is basic and interdisciplinary translational research leading to development of effective therapeutics:

Broad Research Categories:

Basic Science: animal models, tissue cultures, organoids

Translational research/human studies leading to new therapeutics and FDA approval

Biomarkers that measure treatment response in core symptoms

Translational clinical trials that catalyze therapeutics toward FDA approval

Devices for therapy

Specific Areas of Focus:

Biomarkers: Developing biological biomarkers to improve diagnostics and treatment response

Immune abnormalities in autism: Studies characterizing altered immune response in autism

Gut dysfunction in autism: Characterizing GI pathology, diagnostic and treatment strategies

Epilepsy in autism: Investigating etiology, triggers, risk factors, warning signs, treatments; exploring subclinical seizure activity prevalence and impact

Speech, motor and behavior in autism: Determining etiology and treatments for functional impairments in speech, language processing, motor skills, executive function, and disabling behaviors (aggression, self-injury)

Treatment trials: Phase I/II clinical treatment trials evaluating efficacy of new compounds and repurposed drugs

Case studies and retrospective analyses: Medical record analysis and case study publications

Immunology: testing and characterization

Neurology: specifically epilepsy, novel EEG/MEG studies

Mitochondrial testing and treatment

GI basic science and treatment: including IBD and microbiome studies

Any promising new areas that have remained unfunded

Priority Subgroups

• Studies targeting discovery and characterization of rare disease subgroups within ASD population (with and without genetic characterization)
• Adults with ASD (>18 years of age)
• Non-speaking children and adolescents (>8 years of age) with dyspraxia and ASD
• Regressive autism

Eligibility

• PI Requirements: PI associated with a research institution or private enterprise who can work within their organization to accept a grant from a non-profit and obtain IRB approval if needed
• New researchers welcome: If new to autism research, proposals are welcome
• Exception: Researchers already covered under last year's grant should wait until the next year to allow support for more researchers

Budget

• Maximum: $90,000 per year for a maximum of 2 years ($180,000 total)
• Indirect Costs: Institutional overheads are NOT supported and cannot be included in budget

What They Don't Fund

• Institutional overhead/indirect costs

2026 Limitations

• Limited number of grants available
• Highly selective and competitive review process
• Invitation-only process (open call anticipated to resume following year)