News and Knowledge

Since 2002, OAR has funded more than 115 studies totaling more than $3.7 million through its Applied Research Competition. OAR hopes to build on this success in 2019, continuing its support of research studies that offer meaningful outcomes to individuals with autism and their families.

At its annual meeting, this year held in Washington, D.C., the Scientific Council proposed an increase to the maximum award amount for the Applied Research Competition from $30,000 to $40,000. On October 16, this proposal was presented to and approved by the OAR Board starting with the 2019 competition cycle.

2019 Applied Research Competition

OAR invites researchers to submit research preproposals for its 18th annual Applied Research Competition. International researchers are eligible to apply. The maximum award is $40,000 for pilot studies beginning in 2019 and lasting one to two years.

Interested researchers may apply online starting December 6. Interested applicants should first review the 2019 request for proposals. 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.

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

While applicants are always free to submit proposals on any relevant area of research or intervention described above, this year OAR is placing an emphasis on research that addresses the following targeted areas:

• Community-based assessment and intervention for challenging behavior
• Effectiveness of augmentative communication systems
• Improving access to and effectiveness of existing systems and services
• Integrated employment
• Intersectionality, equity, and diversity
• Mental health assessment and intervention
• Mid-life and older adults
• Residential/community services and supports

Preproposals will be accepted through Monday, March 25, 2019 at 11:59 PM ET. OAR will invite a select number of applicants to submit full proposals in June. Grant recipients will be announced in early December 2019, and studies will begin as early as January 1, 2020.

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