Philly Leader

The Eagles Autism Foundation has allocated $8.1 million to support 53 projects focused on autism research and community care. This funding comes from the proceeds of the 2024 Eagles Autism Challenge and other fundraising efforts by the foundation throughout the year. Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has supported a total of 169 research projects and community grants.

The announcement was made by Ryan Hammond, Executive Director of the Eagles Autism Foundation, alongside Kylie Kelce during a live segment on Good Morning America.

In 2024, there were 112 letters of intent submitted for research grant funding. From these submissions, 46 full proposals underwent a detailed evaluation process conducted by an independent team of scientists committed to autism research and services. Ultimately, 22 projects were selected for grants at institutions globally engaged in cutting-edge autism research and care. Among these, five grants went to international facilities, while two were designated as post-doctoral fellowships.

The chosen research initiatives range from enhancing existing programs to exploring novel and innovative approaches. Community grants were awarded to evidence-based projects that align with the mission of the Eagles Autism Foundation and address immediate community needs.

"This year's scientific review process was one of the most competitive evaluations we ever had," stated Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO of Philadelphia Eagles. He noted that "the number of submissions we received in such a short period speaks to how much the field of autism research and care has evolved." Lurie emphasized that although more work is needed, significant progress is being made with autism now prioritized at high levels by renowned institutions worldwide.

Dr. Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School led the assessment process along with 21 internationally recognized researchers selected based on their expertise related to the proposals. The criteria used for evaluation included significance, investigators' credentials, innovation, approach, environment quality, measurable outcomes, and potential transformational impact in autism research.

For further details on the scientific review process or funded institutions from 2024, interested parties can visit EaglesAutismChallenge.org/our-impact-2024/.

The upcoming eighth annual Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025. Registration information is available at EaglesAutismChallenge.org with a promotional discount offered using code: LETSHUNT.