Conference Support for Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder Communities Participating in Simons Searchlight - Tier 1 Grant

Conference Support for Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder Communities Participating in Simons Searchlight - Tier 1 Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Simons Foundation Inc.
Amount: Up to US $2,500
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The Simons Foundation is offering funding for Patient Advocacy Group Family Conferences aimed at communities involved in Simons Searchlight. This initiative supports both established and emerging groups, enhancing research engagement through scientist presentations and in-person opportunities. The funding, starting at $2,500 for Tier 1, is available for conferences scheduled between January 2025 and February 2026, encouraging connections between families and researchers to facilitate impactful dialogue.

Overview

Conference Support for Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder Communities Participating in Simons Searchlight SFARI is accepting applications for funding of Patient Advocacy Group Family Conferences, with a focus on groups in the Simons Searchlight community. This funding is intended to support and enhance the research component of conferences, from scientist presentations to in-person research opportunities for families. It is open to both patient advocacy groups (PAGs) with well-established conferences as well as those in early years of convening families and connecting to science. As they plan their conferences, we encourage PAGs to connect with the SFARI science team who may be able to facilitate connections to scientists with whom to explore possible conference involvement. SFARI Mission SFARI’s mission is to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance. Opportunity SFARI is accepting applications for funding of Patient Advocacy Group Family Conferences, with a focus on groups in the Simons Searchlight community. This funding is intended to support and enhance the research component of conferences, from scientist presentations to in-person research opportunities for families. It is open to both patient advocacy groups (PAGs) with well-established conferences as well as those in early years of convening families and connecting to science. As they plan their conferences, we encourage PAGs to connect with the SFARI science team who may be able to facilitate connections to scientists with whom to explore possible conference involvement. Tier 1: $2,500 Tier 1 funding is intended for groups that are just getting started and plan to use the meeting to mobilize their community. Applicant groups are not required to have a full scientific meeting agenda in place at the time of application but are encouraged to plan for a scientific component to their in-person meeting. This is also the funding tier for groups with significant research agendas but for which researchers will present remotely to the in-person conference.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants should be patient advocacy groups (PAGs) for Simons Searchlight Gene/CNV groups who use Simons Searchlight as their major registry. Conferences must be scheduled to occur between January 2025 and February 2026. Depending on the date of your conference, payments may be issued retroactively. We welcome applications for conferences held and/or organized by groups both in and outside the United States. Groups in the United States must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; international organizations will be required to be deemed the equivalent of a U.S. public charity via requested documentation or the completion of an equivalency determination.