Profound Autism Pilot Grants

Profound Autism Pilot Grants is sponsored by Autism Science Foundation. These grants support projects that will improve, expand, or make possible the inclusion of individuals with “profound autism” into research studies.

Apply for a Profound Autism Pilot Grant or Pre-doctoral Fellowship - Autism Science Foundation This is the default image Apply for a Profound Autism Pilot Grant or Pre-doctoral Fellowship Request for Applications: 2026 Profound Autism Pilot Grants and Pre-doctoral Fellowships RFA to be released: November 10, 2025 Applications Due: March 2, 2026 Notification of Awards: June/July 2026 Click here to view RFA for 2026 Profound Autism Pilot Grants and Pre-doctoral Fellowships The Lancet Commission on the Future of Care and Clinical Research in Autism introduced the term “profound autism” and encouraged its use to describe autistic people who are at least 8 years old, minimally verbal or nonverbal, have IQ below 50, are not able to advocate for themselves, and will likely require 24‐hour access to an adult who can care for them for the rest of their lives.

Past research has established that individuals with autism exhibit a wide range of abilities and disabilities and that those with challenging or problematic behavior, minimal verbal ability, and/or intellectual disability are demonstrably underrepresented in research . Their exclusion prevents the generalizability of research discoveries and impedes understanding of the supports and interventions they require to live fulfilling lives.

There is an immediate need for research to identify the specific and unique needs of individuals with profound autism. While the Lancet definition does not specify the presence of severe, intense and dangerous behaviors, this RFA also includes research on severe and challenging behaviors including self-injury, aggression, pica, wandering and irritability, which are prevalent in those with profound autism.

The Autism Science Foundation invites applications for two related award mechanisms under this RFA: 1) Pilot Grants – To support one-year research projects focused on profound autism conducted by established investigators; 2) Pre-doctoral Fellowships – To support one-year, mentored training awards for graduate students focused on profound autism.

This RFA specifically calls for: 1) pilot studies to identify or characterize the underlying biological mechanisms of profound autism (including model systems); 2) Examination of the preliminary efficacy of behavioral and/or pharmacological treatment or genetic medicines for core or co-morbid symptoms of profound autism or severe, intense and dangerous behaviors; 3) projects which address challenges in recruitment, retention or data collection in individuals with profound autism.

4) Research examining co-morbid conditions documented to be common in those with profound autism. Individuals with profound autism may or may not exhibit severe and dangerous behaviors. Research on severe and dangerous behaviors does not need to be exclusive to those with profound autism.

Preference will be given to those studies that include a control arm, or a group of those with non-profound autism. The Autism Science Foundation will fund a number of awards determined by available financial resources. The term of the award will be one year.

Pilot Grant: The award is up to $35,000 and may be used to cover supplies or salary support and fringe for staff, including post-doctoral fellows, tenured or tenure-track faculty or other percent effort. It also may be used to cover small amounts of consulting costs. Pre-doctoral Fellowship: The award is $35,000 to support salary and fringe benefits.

This award cannot be used to cover tuition payments. No portion of these funds shall be used to cover indirect university costs. Eligibility and Requirements Applicants for this award must be either enrolled in a pre-doctoral training program, or hold an M.

D. , Ph. D.

, EdD, or ScD and currently hold a position at a university or institution, or an organization with 501c3 status. U.S. citizens may be enrolled in universities inside or outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizens may be enrolled in universities inside or outside of the U.

S All applicants must include a letter of support from an advocacy organization involved in profound autism. The advocacy organization is expected to act in an advisory capacity, help with recruitment, and support dissemination. Examples of organizations that have written strong letters in the past include the Profound Autism Alliance and the National Council on Severe Autism.

Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) that represent families with idiopathic autism or with rare genetic syndromes that result in a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism are also good choices. Many of these groups are represented in the Alliance for Genetic Etiologies in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Autism ( AGENDA ).

Collaborations and partnerships with local organizations or other autism service organizations are also very welcome. Examples include the Bancroft School and The Center for Discovery . These are examples; this is not an exhaustive list.

Pre-doctoral Fellowship applications must also include a training plan and an additional letter of recommendation from someone other than the mentor named on the application. Click here to view RFA for 2026 Profound Autism Pilot Grants and Pre-doctoral Fellowships