News and Knowledge

OAR is currently accepting preproposal applications for its annual Applied Research Competition. Since 2002, OAR has funded 220 applied and graduate research studies totaling more than $3.6 million. OAR hopes to continue this success in 2017 by supporting research studies that provide practical and useful outcomes to individuals with autism and their families.

Applied Research Competition

Researchers can submit research preproposals now through March 27, 2017 for studies beginning in 2018 and lasting one to two years. The maximum award is $30,000. International researchers are eligible to apply.

Interested applicants should first review the 2017 request for proposals, as well as OAR’s funding guidelines. After reviewing the preproposals in June, OAR will invite selected applicants to submit full proposals for the second phase of the competition. OAR will then select finalists from this group to be reviewed by OAR’s Scientific Council at its fall meeting. The grant recipients will be announced in early December and the new studies will begin as early as January 1, 2018.

OAR funds studies that will likely produce practical and clearly objective results that can help parents, families, professionals, and people with autism make more fully informed choices, leading to healthier and happier lives. While applicants are always free to submit proposals in any relevant area of research or intervention, this year OAR is placing an emphasis on research that addresses the following targeted areas:

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Community-based intervention
• Behavioral economics
• Effective staff training

OAR will promote evidence-based practices delivered 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 to be severely impacted by autism
• Adult issues such as continuing education, employment, residential supports, sexuality instruction, quality-of-life determinants, and “later intervention”
• 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 autism spectrum disorders

For more information about the Applied Research Competition, please contact OAR at research@researchautism.org or call 703-243-9762.