Scientific Research Grants and Fellowship Programs

Autism Speaks is committed to being a catalyst for research breakthroughs that improve lives today and deliver a spectrum of solutions in the years ahead. This work involves unraveling the biology of autism, including its varied subtypes and dimensions, and translating research findings into life-enhancing solutions.

Our strategic priorities for 2024-2026 include:

Improving our understanding of aging and autism and ability to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for autistic adults
Enhancing wellbeing and quality of life of autistic people and their families with severe and challenging behaviors and special health care needs
Advancing innovations in service delivery to enhance the global reach and impact of services and support across the lifespan

Autism Speaks is likewise committed to collaborating with the autism community to advance research that translates findings into better evidence-based interventions and tailors and delivers interventions to those who may benefit from them. In addition to grants, researchers interested in genetic data can apply for access to MSSNG or AGRE.

This year's research fellowships:

2026 AHA Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships

The American Heart Association (AHA), in partnership with Autism Speaks, is funding its 2026 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships. This joint initiative supports research at the intersection of autism, cardiovascular health and brain health, with the goal of addressing the growing body of evidence that autistic people face increased risks for cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular conditions.

The 2026 AHA Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships include a $40,000/year award (or $80,000/2 years) for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers whose work can help close critical knowledge gaps and improve health equity for autistic people.

Anticipated grant timeline:

Applications open: July 1, 2025
Submission deadline: Early September 2025
Award notification: December 2025
Award start date: January 1, 2026

Download the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Request for Applications (RFAs) to earn more about the eligibility criteria and application process.

Return to this page to see announcements of newly released RFAs or sign up for email announcements on the RFA Notification List.

Other application/grant information:

To be notified of RFA releases and other grant information, sign up on the RFA Notification List.

Search funded grants in the Autism Speaks Grant Search (includes Service Provider grants).

Search MSSNG Research Publications.

Click here for information on other Autism Speaks grants.

Apply online:

All proposals must be submitted online via Autism Speaks Grants Portal (powered by Fluxx). This brief guide will be helpful at the start. Through its various user-friendly features, applicants and institutional officials as well as mentors can monitor the status of their applications and grants. System access and navigation instructions can be found in the RFAs and on the Welcome panel in the system. This includes applications to Post a Study on our Participate in Research search. This guide will help you.

Electronic submissions are mandatory. No paper or e-mailed applications will be accepted.

For inquiries, please contact:

Sofia Walton, Research Grants Manager
[email protected]
202-740-7718