In October and November 2021, SFARI held the fall 2021 science meeting virtually. Across three webinars, nine SFARI-funded researchers discussed their latest findings in autism research to an audience of over 300 attendees, including current and past SFARI Investigators, SFARI collaborators and postdocs training in SFARI-funded labs.

SFARI held a virtual version of its spring science meeting in a series of four webinars in April and May 2021. The webinars were organized around themes of importance in autism research, including biological convergence, sensory sensitivity, treatment development and genetic risk.

On June 25 and 28, 2021, SFARI hosted a workshop to discuss sleep challenges in autism and learn more about ways to improve sleep quality in individuals with the condition. The workshop gathered nearly 40 attendees, including academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, family organizations and SFARI staff.

On April 26 and 29, 2021, SFARI and the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain hosted a virtual workshop that focused on the use of rats as a model system for autism spectrum disorder. The workshop discussed advantages and limitations of using rat models, evaluated the need for cross-species studies and considered strategies to move the field forward.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, SFARI ran the fall 2020 science meeting virtually in a series of six weekly webinars, beginning on October 2, 2020. SFARI investigators presented their latest findings in autism research, ranging from autism genetics, through molecular mechanisms and neural circuits, to clinical insights.

Beginning on October 1, 2020, the recipients of the SFARI Bridge to Independence Award gathered with SFARI staff and advisors for a virtual ‘retreat’ of six weekly webinars. Each of the webinars included scientific presentations by the fellows, followed by breakout sessions to discuss the practical skills needed to become successful Principal Investigators in today’s scientific ecosystem.

On July 29, 2020, SFARI convened an online workshop to explore environmental (maternal and fetal) risk factors for autism spectrum disorder in the context of COVID-19 infection.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SFARI replaced the in-person spring 2020 science meeting that was scheduled April 5–7 with a series of seven weekly webinars held between April 17 and May 29.