RFA FAQ and Glossary
FAQ
The frequently asked questions aim to cover topics related to the SFARI RFA process, SFARI policies and online submission on proposalCENTRAL.
RFA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have a question regarding the RFA guidelines or policies not answered in the FAQ documents please contact the Simons Foundation at grants@simonsfoundation.org or call (646) 654-0066.
SFARI Glossary
Award types
Personnel definitions
Award types
SFARI Explorer Award
Application type for proposals requesting support of exploratory experiments that will strengthen hypotheses and lead to the formulation of competitive applications for subsequent larger-scale funding by SFARI or other organizations. Innovative, high-risk/high-impact proposals are encouraged. We especially encourage applications from investigators who are new to the field of autism, but who have expertise that could be brought to bear on this complex disorder. The maximum budget is $60,000, including indirect costs, for one (1) year, non-renewable. Applications are accepted year-round and decisions about funding are made within about a month by SFARI science staff.
SFARI Pilot Award
Application type for innovative, high-impact proposals requesting support for small-scale projects, or for early-stage experiments that will build on preliminary data or prior track record, and lead to competitive applications for funding by SFARI or other organizations. Investigators new to the field of autism are encouraged to apply for Pilot Awards. The maximum budget is $125,000, including indirect costs, per year for up to two (2) years.
SFARI Research Award
Application type for investigators with demonstrated expertise for proposals requesting support for compelling, high-impact research on an experimental hypothesis for which, in most cases, preliminary data have already been gathered. The foundation will also consider projects focusing on a central hypothesis where success depends on close collaboration between two or more labs. We expect to fund proposals for a maximum of $250,000, including indirect costs, per year for up to three (3) years, but under exceptional circumstances will consider proposals at higher levels. All budgets over $250,000 per year require pre-approval by SFARI science staff (sciencerfa@simonsfoundation.org).
SFARI SSC Award
Application type to support studies that build on the phenotyping and genotyping of the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC), or associated biospecimens. We will consider applications that may involve analyses of the existing data and biospecimens and/or recontacting SSC families for follow-up studies, including, but not limited to, studies focused on molecular mechanisms, circuits, anatomy, cognition, subgroup comparisons behavior, biomarkers and candidate therapies. We are specifically interested in helping to launch longitudinal studies that examine the developmental trajectories of children in the SSC as they progress into adolescence, but in most cases support beyond an initial launch period will need to come in substantial part from other sources. We will accept collaborative grants involving multiple investigators and encourage studies that use data from multiple sites. We expect to fund proposals for a maximum of $250,000, including indirect costs, per year for up to two (2) years, but under exceptional circumstances will consider proposals at higher levels. Smaller-scale pilot proposals (maximum budget $125,000) are also welcome. All budgets over $250,000 per year require pre-approval by SFARI science staff (sciencerfa@simonsfoundation.org).
Indirect costs on all SFARI grant types are limited to 20 percent of the modified total direct costs.
Personnel definitions
Principal Investigator
The individual(s) judged by the applicant organization to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct the project or program supported by the grant. He or she is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization and SFARI for the proper conduct of the project or activity, including the submission of all required reports. He or she will act as the main point-of-contact for the foundation. There is no minimum percent effort required for a PI, but it is expected that the PI will join the collaborative community of SFARI Investigators, and he or she will partake in some conferences, workshops and symposia that the foundation organizes.
The applicant organization may designate multiple individuals as PIs who share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PI is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of all required reports. The presence of more than one identified PI on an application or award diminishes neither the responsibility nor the accountability of any individual PI.
The first PI listed, under whose name the application is submitted, will serve as the contact PI for administrative purposes. The contact PI must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application. The contact PI will be responsible for communication between SFARI and the rest of the leadership team.
The role type ’Co-PI‘ will not be used by SFARI.
Co-investigator
An individual involved with the PI in the scientific development or execution of a project. The co-investigator may be employed by, or be affiliated with, the applicant/grantee organization or another organization participating in the project under a consortium agreement. A co-investigator is considered key personnel, but the Simons Foundation does not require a minimum effort from the co-investigator. The designation of a co-investigator, if applicable, does not affect the PI’s roles and responsibilities, nor is it a role implying multiple PIs.
Consultant
An individual providing professional advice or services on the basis of a written agreement. These individuals are not normally employees of the organization receiving the services. Consultants also include firms providing professional advice or services.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
An individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. The Postdoctoral Research Associate performs specific services in exchange for compensation, and he or she is treated as an employee of the grantee institution, with benefits.
SFARI funds may only be used for personnel considered employees of the grantee institution who are eligible for benefits. Funds may not be used for stipend supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of the program from which funds are derived.
