The Eagles Autism Foundation provides funding for 34 community and research programs totaling $6.2 million.
The Eagles Autism Foundation’s evaluation group of scientists
The Eagles Autism Foundation has declared that $6.2 million will be awarded to 34 programs that focus on state-of-the-art autism research and treatment. The funds raised by participants in the 2023 Eagles Autism Challenge, together with several foundation-related fundraising events held all year, directly result in the grants.
Seventy letters of intent were filed seeking financing for research grants. After a thorough examination procedure, 40 complete proposals were selected from the original concepts. An impartial group of scientists who have proven to be unwaveringly committed to autism services, research, and initiatives thoroughly examined each project.
Following that, it was decided that 14 research projects would be given to the following institutions: Yale Child Study Center; UC Davis; UCLA; University of Iowa; University of Wisconsin–Madison; University of Iowa at Chapel Hill; Brown University; Child Mind Institute; Drexel University; Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; and University of Iowa.
The chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie, stated, “The goal of going through this rigorous process every year is to fund the most progressive kinds of autism research and care.” “A scientific review panel comprised of some of the most brilliant minds and influential figures worldwide, under the direction of Dr. (Emanuel) DiCicco-Bloom, meticulously examined each suggestion with extreme precision and detail. We congratulate the establishments and neighborhood-based groups that made the cut this year, and we hope that their creativity encourages others to keep providing groundbreaking assistance to the autistic community.”
The money raised will benefit 20 organizations that actively improve the lives of people with autism by providing a range of services and resources, in addition to the sponsored research projects. A Step Up Academy, the Center for Autism, the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Kent Krew, the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, CultureCity, the Neurodiversity Employment Network, Pathway School, the Philadelphia Charter School, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Popcorn for the People, Raise the Bar, Shore Medical Center, the So Much to Give Inclusive Café, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Special Olympics PA: Cities of Inclusion, Theater Horizon, Valley Forge Education Services, Variety: The Children’s Charity, and Woods Services are the recipients of the community grants.
Applicants with completed PhDs or MDs who held full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty appointments, or equivalent full-time non-tenure track appointments, in an accredited academic, medical, or research institution were eligible to apply for pilot funds. A post-doctoral fellowship was awarded to Drexel University as part of the research programs in order to give young investigators in relevant fields the chance to carry out their work in Philadelphia under the guidance of seasoned experts.
