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:

2025 Predoctoral Fellowship Program for Autistic Scientists

Autism Speaks is funding the 2025 Predoctoral Fellowship Program for Autistic Scientists.

Launched to support and elevate autistic voices in research, this program provides $40,000 per year for two years to qualified predoctoral students pursuing careers in autism research. Funding includes a $28,000 stipend and a $12,000 allowance for research-related expenses.

This fellowship is open to autistic students in research doctoral programs (PhD, ScD, MD/PhD, etc.) with at least two years remaining in their program. Applicants from both U.S. and international institutions are encouraged to apply.

Anticipated grant timeline:

• Letters of Intent due on or before: September 2, 2025, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
• Letter of Intent decisions: Week of September 8, 2025
• Recommendations due on or before: October 9, 2025 | 8:00 pm (ET)
• Application due on or before: October 15, 2025 | 8:00 pm (ET)
• Application notifications: March 2026
• Earliest fellowship start date: May 1, 2026

For full eligibility details, application instructions and a list of priority topics, view the Request for Applications (RFA).

Submissions for this grant are currently closed.

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 an award for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers whose work can help close critical knowledge gaps in cardiovascular health and autism, 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 RFAs to earn more about the eligibility criteria and application process.

Submissions for this grant are currently closed.

Other application/grant information:

Sign up for our RFA notification list or return to this page to see announcements of newly released grant opportunities.

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.

For inquiries or questions:

Contact us at grantadmin@autismspeaks.org.