Simons Foundation
New Ideas Award
Rolling deadline; LOIs accepted from 29 April 2026
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No deadline is on file for this call. Check Simons Foundation's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The Simons Foundation New Ideas Award funds early-stage, exploratory research testing novel hypotheses in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders, offering up to $300,000 per year for up to two years. It targets faculty-level researchers who want to pursue high-risk ideas without preliminary data, provided they can demonstrate feasibility. The call uses a two-stage process starting with a letter of intent, accepted on a rolling basis from 29 April 2026.
Details
| Funder | Simons Foundation |
| Budget | Up to $300,000 per year |
| Duration | Up to 2 years |
| Application | 2-stage: letter of intent (rolling from 29 April 2026) → invited full application (4 weeks to submit) |
| Frequency | Annual |
Eligibility & scope
Early-stage, exploratory research testing novel hypotheses in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Applicants and key collaborators must hold a PhD, MD or equivalent and a faculty position; no funding to institutions in China or Hong Kong; preliminary data not required but feasibility must be demonstrated.
Who Should Apply
- •Faculty-level researchers (PhD, MD, or equivalent) and their key collaborators
- •Investigators proposing early-stage, exploratory hypotheses in autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders
- •Researchers without preliminary data but with a clear feasibility case
- •Applicants not affiliated with institutions in China or Hong Kong
Key Dates
- •Rolling letter of intent accepted from 29 April 2026
- •Invited full applications must be submitted within 4 weeks of invitation
- •Up to 2-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Frame the proposal around a novel, testable hypothesis rather than an extension of existing funded work, this call explicitly favors early-stage ideas over preliminary data.
- ✓Since preliminary data isn't required, use the feasibility section to address technical and conceptual risk directly rather than relying on prior results.
- ✓Submit the LOI as soon as the idea is ready since the deadline is rolling, there's no benefit to waiting for a fixed date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Simons Foundation New Ideas Award pay?
Up to $300,000 per year for up to two years.
Do I need preliminary data to apply for the New Ideas Award?
No, preliminary data is not required, but applicants must demonstrate the feasibility of their approach.
Who is eligible for the Simons Foundation New Ideas Award?
Applicants and key collaborators must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent and a faculty position, and the award does not fund institutions in China or Hong Kong.
What is the application process for the New Ideas Award?
It is a two-stage process: a rolling letter of intent followed by an invited full application due within four weeks.
When can I submit a letter of intent for the New Ideas Award?
Letters of intent are accepted on a rolling basis starting 29 April 2026.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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