Additional Information - The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) works to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance. To that end, SFARI is inviting Letters of Intent for its Bridge to Independence Award Program, which engages talented early-career scientists in autism research by facilitating their transition to research independence and providing grant funding at the start of their professorships. Fellows will receive a commitment of $495,000 over three years, activated upon assumption of a tenure-track research professorship at a U.S. or Canadian research institution. The BTI program invites LOIs spanning the breadth of science that SFARI typically supports, including genetics, molecular mechanisms, circuits and systems, and clinical science. While the organization encourages applications from scientists who are working on autism-related projects, the program is also open to researchers who are not currently working on autism but who are interested in starting research projects in autism and who have expertise that could be adapted to this complex condition. Applications from groups that have been historically underrepresented or excluded in the biomedical workforce, including but not limited to racial and ethnic groups, sexual orientation and gender identities, individuals with mental/physical disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are encouraged. Letters of Intent are due February 28, 2022, and selected applicants will have up to two years in which to secure a tenure-track professorship at an academic institution in the U.S. or Canada and submit an approval application. Please contact if you are interested in applying to this opportunity.