Submit Applications for Applied Research Grant Program

Objective

• OAR seeks to fund studies that expand the body of knowledge related to autism intervention and treatment, produce practical and clearly objective results, have the potential to positively affect public policy, and provide outcomes that offer to enhance quality of life for persons with autism and their families. While applicants are always free to submit on any relevant area of research or intervention, this year, OAR has placed special emphasis on research addressing the following areas:
  • Community-Based Assessment and Intervention
  • Community-Engaged Research
  • Community Living and Supports
  • Gender, Reproductive, and Sexual Health
  • Improving Access to and Effectiveness of Existing Systems and Services
  • Intersectionality, Equity and Diversity
  • Mid-life and Older Adults
  • Physical Health and Mental Health

Focus Areas

• Through this competition, OAR seeks to promote evidence-based practices based on research in the following areas:
  • The analysis, evaluation, or comparison of current models of assessment, intervention, or systems of service delivery, including policy analysis
  • Applied aspects of educational, behavioral, or social/communicative intervention
  • Effective intervention across the lifespan for individuals considered severely affected by ASD
  • Issues affecting adults with autism such as continuing education, employment, residential supports, sexuality instruction, quality-of-life determinants, and services and supports for older autistic individuals
  • Issues related to family support, social and community integration, assessment and intervention with challenging behavior, and the use of technology in support of learners with ASD.

Funding Information

• With this year’s competition, OAR will consider awarding up to 8 grant awards of $50,000 each.

Eligibility Criteria

• At least one member of the research team must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and maintain a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility. International researchers are eligible to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

• OAR’s Scientific Council and adjunct review panel will evaluate the letters of intent for scientific and technical merit. Review criteria for the evaluation include:
  • Significance: Does the proposed topic address an important problem or address the needs of a currently underserved cohort of individuals? Will the study advance scientific knowledge in the field? Can the outcomes translate readily to support evidence-based practice? Does it have the potential to impact public policy?
  • Approach: Are the proposed concepts, design, methods, and analyses adequate, clearly defined, and appropriate? Does the project account for potentially confounding variables?
  • Innovation: Does the project employ novel approaches or methods? Are its aims original? Does it have the potential to advance their understanding of ASD?
  • Investigator: Is the investigator and/or research team appropriately trained and well suited to carry out the research?
  • Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will take place contribute to its probability of success? Does the work take advantage of any unique features of the environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
  • Practical relevance: How relevant are the study and anticipated outcomes to the everyday experiences of autistic individuals? Does it offer practical findings? Are they generalizable beyond the research setting? Can key components be readily replicated?

For more information, visit OAR.