Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Surveillance, Research, and Prevention

This funding supports State health agencies, universities, and public and private nonprofit organizations in planning, implementing, coordinating, or evaluating programs related to autism and other developmental disabilities and the improvement of in

State; Consumer; Local; Public nonprofit institution/organization; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; Private nonprofit institution/organizations and others.

Credentials/Documentation (083): Applicants should document the need for assistance, state the objectives of the project, outline the method of operation, describe the evaluation procedures and provide a budget justification of funds requested. Costs for nonprofit recipients will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations, 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart Q. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Funds may be used to strengthen, expand, build upon or enhance research, surveillance, health promotion, education, and prevention/intervention activities that contribute to the mission and activities of the Division of Human Development and Disability (DHDD). Funds may be used to improve and strengthen State and local public health infrastructure by providing technical assistance to other appropriate health agencies, organizations, special groups or coalitions. Funds may be used to support capacity building, program planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and surveillance for autism and other developmental disabilities, and infant and child health and developmental outcomes, including related health promotion, education and training, and prevention/intervention. Funds may also be used to coordinate the dissemination of prevention information to the general public, target populations, state and local agencies, and public and private sector organizations in the United States. Funds may not be used for direct curative or rehabilitative services.

Financial assistance is provided for a 12-month budget period with a period of performance of up to five years subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress of the recipient.

In general, applications are reviewed on the basis of scientific/technical merit, with attention given to such matters as: (1) The degree to which the applicant satisfies the essential requirements and possesses other desired characteristics, such as depth, breadth, and merit of the overall application relative to the types of projects proposed; (2) clarity of purpose and overall qualifications, adequacy and appropriateness of personnel to accomplish proposed prevention research projects and demonstration projects, and the nation's health priorities and needs; (3) ability to generalize, translate and disseminate to State or local health departments, and other appropriate national regional, and local public health agencies and organizations; (4) reasonableness of the proposed budget in relation to the work proposed.

After review and approval, a Notice of Award from the CDC Office of Grant Services is prepared and signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer. The initial award provides funds for first budget period (usually 12 months) and Notice of Award indicates support recommended for the remainder of project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories, and special conditions, if any. Cooperative agreement awards and grants, competitive and single eligibility, are determined by an internal objective committee review process at CDC, including peer reviews for research activities. Awards will be based on evaluation criteria set forth in the respective Notice of Funding Opportunity, the availability of funds, and such other significant factors as deemed necessary and appropriate by CDC.

Project period of performance is 1 to 5 years. After initial awards, and subject to availability of funds, projects may be continued non-competitively contingent upon satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports) and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.