News and Knowledge

OAR has increased the maximum award for its Applied Research Competition from $40,000 to $50,000. The 2024 Competition will open December 15 for researchers to submit a letter of intent for pilot studies beginning in 2025 with a duration of one to two years. International researchers are eligible to apply. Letters of intent will be accepted through Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

All applicants should first review the 2024 request for proposals (RFP). OAR funds studies that will:

• Expand the body of knowledge related to autism intervention and treatment
• Produce practical and clearly objective results
• Potentially positively affect public policy
• Provide outcomes that offer to enhance quality of life for autistic people and their families

Research Areas

Through the Applied Research 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 autism
• Issues affecting autistic adults, 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 autistic learners

OAR’s Research Priorities

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 needs:

• Community-based assessment and intervention
• Community living and supports
• Community-engaged research
• 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

OAR will invite a select number of applicants to submit full proposals in June. Grant recipients will be announced in early December 2024, and funding will begin on or after January 1, 2025.

For more information about the Applied Research Competition, please contact OAR at research @ researchautism.org or call 571-977-5391