News
Employment-Based Mentorship Opportunity from NEXT Connects
Apr. 22, 2025—NEXT is once again recruiting students to participate in their FREE co-mentorship program. In 2024, more than 60 universities partnered with NEXT, and they’ve made over 100 student-mentor matches! Participants are matched with established professionals trained in neuroinclusion, and meet virtually for 8 conversations between now and September. The program is flexible, free, and fully virtual — making...
Free Nashville Movie Screening of Lost Potential: Unmasking the Autism Employment Crisis
Apr. 17, 2025—We are excited to advertise a free viewing of the new documentary “Lost Potential: Unmasking the Autism Employment Crisis” in Nashville this month. This movie dives into a struggle many with autism face: gaining employment and remaining employed. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion and open forum on the challenges faced by...
Announcing “From Autism Acceptance to Advantage” Event, Hosted by AllianceBernstein in NYC — Register NOW!
Mar. 24, 2025—This Autism Acceptance Month, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt University are partnering with Alliance Bernstein to host an NYC event entitled, From Autism Acceptance to Advantage: Learning from Autism to Create Innovative Workplaces and Teams. Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and learn how to make your organization and your teams more effective,...
Article in The Tennessean Highlights the Need to Hiring a Neurodivergent Workforce
Mar. 19, 2025—This week in The Tennessean, guest columnists Keivan G. Stassun (Dirctor of FCAI) and Jon Perlin (Advisory Board of FCAI) highlight overlooked talents of neurodivergent workers in today’s job market. While major tech companies like Amazon and Dell have made strides in hiring neurodivergent individuals, there are still millions who remain unrecognized. They argue that...
March 31st — Neurodiverse Technologies Open House! Come and Experience SANDI at FCAI!
Mar. 16, 2025—Come to our open house on March 31st to experience SANDI the Simulator for Advanced Neurodivergent Driving Instruction! We are thrilled to invite you to the Neurodiverse Technologies Open House to experience SANDI, our groundbreaking virtual driving simulator designed to make driving education accessible, safe, and anxiety-free for student drivers. Event Details Where: Frist Center...
Media Covers $7 Million in Canceled Grants to FCAI
Mar. 13, 2025—Due to funding cuts to the National Science Foundation made after the executive orders in the last several weeks, FCAI has lost $7 million in expected federal grant funding, and along with it some of our cornerstone programs for national impact. The $7 million in funding had been rigorously reviewed by NSF and was authorized...
FCAI February Salon Series: The Intersection of ND at Work with the ND Movement – REGISTER NOW!
Feb. 8, 2025—In this fireside chat style conversation, Dr. Vogus will facilitate a dialogue between Dr. Posselt and Dr. Annabi to examine the intersections between the Neurodiversity at Work movement and the broader Neurodiversity movement. Together, they will explore key characteristics of effective social movements, the role of the Neurodiversity at Work movement in advancing the broader...
Salon Series Lunch and Learn Tomorrow — REGISTER NOW!
Jan. 30, 2025—Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will welcome a team of investors from A.E., a venture capital group and startup incubator team that has built a substantial venture capital fund specifically for projects/products that pertain to autism/neurodiversity and that may have commercial potential. As part of the Frist Center’s interest...
Applications Open for Autism Summer Internship Opportunities for Summer 2025! Apply now!
Jan. 15, 2025—The Frist Center is excited to announce applications are now open for our Autism Summer Internship Program. The program is open to undergraduate students who identify as neurodiverse (either through formal or self-diagnosis). Through this internship, successful applicants will undergo a STEM project with a faculty mentor, under the guidance of the Frist Center for...
FCAI Director Keivan Stassun Wins Highest Science Award in the US
Jan. 5, 2025—We are thrilled to announce that our director, Dr. Keivan Stassun, has been awarded the prestigious National Medal of Science, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to astronomy and diversity, equity, and inclusion. This honor not only highlights Dr. Stassun’s individual achievements but also shines a spotlight on the vital work being done at the Frist Center,...