The Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC) is a funding opportunity offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). This grant aims to support a national network of research centers dedicated to studying autism and other developmental disabilities in children and adolescents. The program is designed to enhance research infrastructure, facilitate the coordination of autism-related studies, and promote the translation of research findings into actionable interventions to improve health outcomes. The total available funding for this program in FY 2025 is $5 million, and up to five cooperative agreements will be awarded.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance evidence-based interventions, services, and support systems for children and adolescents with autism. The Autism RC aligns with MCHB’s strategic priorities and seeks to address disparities in autism research by ensuring access to services, diagnosis, and care. The program emphasizes community-based research approaches, engagement with individuals with lived experience, and collaboration across institutions to enhance research impact.

The funding scope includes grants for single-site or multi-site research studies in one of five key areas: (1) interventions related to physical health (e.g., nutrition, obesity, oral health), (2) interventions related to behavioral health (e.g., anxiety, ADHD), (3) system-level improvements for care access, (4) clinical innovations in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, and (5) interventions addressing communication challenges in children with autism. Each funded research center must also develop a governance structure with representation from stakeholders, ensure at least two peer-reviewed publications per year, and engage in mentorship programs for early career investigators.

Eligibility for this grant extends to public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Native American tribal organizations, and independent school districts. However, individuals and foreign entities are not eligible to apply. A Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) must be designated in the application, with a required minimum effort of 20% full-time equivalent (FTE).

The application process requires registration on SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Submissions must include a project abstract, narrative, budget details, letters of support, and a detailed work plan. The deadline for submission is April 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and awards are expected to be issued by August 1, 2025, with a project start date of September 1, 2025. The period of performance is three years.

Applications will be evaluated based on six criteria: (1) demonstrated need, (2) research methodology, (3) performance measurement and evaluation, (4) potential impact, (5) organizational capacity, and (6) budget justification. Successful applicants will be required to engage in annual HRSA research grantee meetings, comply with federal reporting requirements, and participate in program-wide evaluation efforts.

For inquiries, prospective applicants can contact Deborah Quint Shelef and Emmie Perchak at autism_rc@hrsa.gov or call 240-460-5221. Financial and budget-related questions can be directed to Carla Lloyd at clloyd@hrsa.gov or 301-443-0164​.