Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC)
The Autism Research Consortium will fund research on effective interventions and services to improve the physical and behavioral health of autistic children, especially those underserved.
Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Due Dates: April 23, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 per award; cooperative agreement funding
Summary: Supports research on effective interventions and services to improve physical and behavioral health outcomes for autistic children and adolescents, with emphasis on underserved populations.
Key Information: Focus on children/adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities; research-practice partnerships required; priority aligned with MCHB strategic plans.
Description
The Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC), funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), aims to create a national network of researchers focused on maternal and child health, specifically targeting autism and other developmental disabilities (DD). This program consolidates previous MCHB research initiatives into a unified effort to advance evidence-based interventions and improve systems of care.
Autism affects approximately 3.6% of children aged 3-17 in the U.S., with many experiencing co-occurring mental and behavioral health conditions and facing significant barriers to adequate healthcare. The Autism RC prioritizes research that addresses disparities in diagnosis timing, service access, and care quality, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Recipients of this funding will develop research-practice partnerships with community organizations, families with lived experience, and MCHB programs to identify and implement best practices. The goal is to translate and implement evidence-based interventions that improve both physical and behavioral health outcomes for autistic children and adolescents across their lifespan.
The program anticipates funding up to two awards per priority category, with applicants required to focus on one or more specified priority topics aligned with MCHB’s strategic priorities, including the Blueprint for Change and the 2021-2023 IACC Strategic Plan.
