The BRAIN Foundation Research Grants 2023 – Call for Applications

2023 Request for Proposals is now closed. We expect to open the next call for applications in Spring 2024.

This includes translational research leading to breakthroughs in understanding and characterization of the pathophysiology of autism, basic science research, the discovery of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for one or more symptoms, drug repurposing, and development of novel drug compounds, devices, and other related areas.

We believe that the most effective use of our funds is to target high-need and high-impact yet under-served areas of focus within the landscape of investments in research. In that vein, every year, the BRAIN Foundation puts forth a Request for Proposals for grants for research in our focus areas to benefit individuals with NDD, including ASD.

This year, we invite researchers, fellows, post-doctoral scholars and students to submit your proposals. Areas of research include (but not limited to):

Biomarkers:

Developing biological biomarkers to improve diagnostics and treatment response.

Immune abnormalities in autism:

Funding studies to characterize the altered immune response in autism.

Gut dysfunction in autism:

Studies to characterize GI pathology in autism. Exploring diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Epilepsy in autism:

Studies to investigate etiology, triggers, risk factors, warning signs and treatments. Exploring prevalence and impact of subclinical seizure activity in autism. Investigate the need and scope for changes in standard of care.

Speech, motor and behavior in autism:

Studies to determine etiology and treatments for functional impairments in speech, language processing, motor skills, executive function and severely disabling behaviors such as aggression and self-injury.

Treatment trials:

Phase I/II clinical treatment trials to evaluate efficacy of new compounds and repurposed drugs for treatment of disabling symptoms of autism.

Case studies and retrospective analyses:

Research related to a retrospective analysis of medical records, publication of case studies etc.

Who can apply

A PI associated with a research institution or private enterprise who can work within their organization to accept a grant from a non-profit and obtain an IRB for their work.

Where

We can only support research in the US at this time. (If you are outside the US, you could collaborate with someone in the US.)

New to autism research

If you are new to research benefiting individuals with autism, we welcome your proposals!

Budget limits

Up to 90K annually for two consecutive years. We do not support institutional overheads.