Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support

This Program supports activities to: provide information and education on autism and other developmental disabilities (DD) to increase public awareness; promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools and intervention

This Program supports activities to: provide information and education on autism and other developmental disabilities (DD) to increase public awareness; promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools and interventions for autism and other developmental disabilities and disseminate information; promote early screening of individuals with increased likelihood for autism and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable, given evidence-based screening techniques and interventions; increase the number of professionals who are able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism and other developmental disabilities; and increase the number of professionals able to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with autism or other developmental disabilities. The Autism Research Portfolio includes the Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC), Autism Research Network (Autism RN) Program, Autism Single Investigator Innovation Program (Autism SIIP), Autism Field-Initiated Innovative Research Studies (Autism FIRST) Program, and the Autism Secondary Data Analysis Research (Autism SDAR) Program. The Autism RNs establish and maintain an interdisciplinary, multicenter research forum for scientific collaboration and infrastructure building. They provide national leadership in research to advance the evidence base on effective interventions for children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities (autism/DD) across the lifespan. The Autism RC establishes research infrastructure and advances the evidence base on effective interventions, services, supports, and systems for children and adolescents with autism/DD. ​The Autism RNs develop guidelines for interventions and disseminate information as authorized by the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-180) (Autism CARES Act). The Autism SIIP Program supports focused research on priority, emerging, and underdeveloped research areas in autism and other developmental disabilities (DD), with a special focus on the etiology of autism and transitions. The Autism FIRST Program supports research studies testing the implementation of new/innovative strategies that address critical issues surrounding the health of children and adolescents with autism. These studies collect primary data to analyze public health trends in their chosen area of focus within the autism research field. The Autism SDAR Program supports secondary data analysis of existing publicly available and accessible national databases and/or administrative records to determine the evidence-based practices for interventions that improve the physical and behavioral health of children and adolescents with autism/DD, with a particular focus on addressing barriers to identification, diagnosis, interventions and services among underserved populations and for whom there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of interventions, and limited access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment for autism/DD.

For training grants: eligible applicants include public or nonprofit agencies, including institutions of higher education. For research grants: eligible applicants include any public or private nonprofit entity, including research centers or networks. Faith-based and community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply. Any public or private entity is eligible for other project grants.

U.S. Territories, Individual/Family, Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans), Health Professional, Student/Trainee, Graduate Student, Scientist/Researchers, State, Women, Mentally Disabled, Local, Infant (0-5), Child (6-15), Youth (16-21), Public nonprofit institution/organization, Other public institution/organization For training grants: (1) Trainees in the health professions related to MCH; and (2) mothers and children who receive services through training programs. For research grants: public or private nonprofit entities, including research centers or networks. For other projects: (1) Public or private agencies, organizations and institutions; and (2) mothers and children, and persons who receive services through the programs.

Training grants provide interdisciplinary training to health care and other professionals to screen, diagnose, refer, and provide services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities (autism/DD). Research grants advance the knowledge base pertaining to autism/DDs, leading to improvements in interventions for children and adolescents with autism/DDs and improve the early identification and treatment for autism/DDs. State demonstration grants improve outcomes, including quality of life and well-being, for youth with autism and their families/caregivers as the youth transition from child to adult serving systems.

Indirect costs that are allowed for administrative costs incurred as a result of training grants, are limited to 8 percent of direct costs.

Refer to the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Awards are made annually, in accordance with the project period method of awarding grants.

Evaluation criteria vary based on the grant/cooperative agreement program. Refer to criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity for each specific program. Based on the recommendations of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions.

Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award.

Final decisions are made 4 to 6 months after receipt of applications.

Competitive awards are typically made for up to 2 to 5 years, subject to the availability of funds. After initial awards, annual noncompetitive awards may be made contingent upon the submission of noncompetitive applications/progress reports and availability of funds and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government.