The 2026 Undergraduate Summer Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the Autism Science Foundation supports undergraduates interested in pursuing basic and clinical research relevant to autism spectrum disorders during the summer. The proposed research must be scientifically linked to autism, including all areas of related basic and clinical research including but not limited to: human behavior across the lifespan (language, learning, communication, social function, epilepsy, sleep, self-injurious behavior, catatonia), neurobiology (anatomy, development, neuro-imaging), pharmacology, neuropathology, human genetics, genomics, epigenetics, epigenomics, immunology, molecular and cellular mechanisms, studies employing model organisms and systems, and studies of treatment, service delivery, policy and employment.
Applicants must be currently enrolled in good standing in a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Priority is given to students from underrepresented groups OR to studies that focus on understanding and narrowing the diagnosis and services gap across different races, ethnicities or socioeconomic status levels.
The Funding provides $4,000 USD directly to the university sponsoring the research. Of this, the university must pay $3,500 USD directly to the student as a stipend; $500 USD shall be used for lab expenses and indirect university costs. This award cannot be used to directly cover tuition payments. The sponsoring university is responsible for withholding any taxes required by law. The summer research program must be at least 8 weeks.
Applications close on March 6, 2026.