Important Dates
September 11, 2023
Application Portal Opens
February 5, 2024, 11:59 PM ET
Proposals Due
May 2024
Results Announced
July 1, 2024
Grant Period Begins
Our Graduate Research Grant Competition offers grant awards of $1,000 for students conducting autism research as a requirement in pursuit of a master’s degree and $2,000 for students who are doctoral candidates or post-doctoral students. This competition is a one-step application and review process. The proposals are due in February annually. The RFP sets the specific due date. OAR announces its grant awards in May. International students and students outside the U.S. are eligible to apply.
We fund studies that will likely produce practical and clearly objective results that may aid parents, families, professionals, and people with autism to make more fully informed choices that will lead to healthier and happier lives. Note that these grants are for independent research studies only.
The application period is currently OPEN.
Online ApplicationSeptember 11, 2023
Application Portal Opens
February 5, 2024, 11:59 PM ET
Proposals Due
May 2024
Results Announced
July 1, 2024
Grant Period Begins
Learn more about the competition timeline and application process.
See what qualifies for budget spending.
We fund research that serves the immediate needs of the autism community. See OAR’s previously funded studies.
Yes, international students are eligible to apply for our graduate grant competition. This does include students who are pursuing graduate degrees at institutions outside the U.S.
In order to be eligible for this grant, the graduate student must be the single investigator. If the student is a co-PI, or if the study is part of a faculty member’s ongoing research, the research project is not eligible. Please contact us at research@researchautism.org if you have any questions about your eligibility.
No, our graduate grant cycle begins in September each year and closes in February. The review process begins immediately after the deadline and extends into April. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
No, our graduate research grant competition supports research studies at the graduate or post-graduate level. Funds are not available for tuition.
OAR currently offers two lines of research funding: the Applied Research Competition and the Graduate Research Grants Program.
We notify each applicant of their status in early to mid-May via email.
The budget template can be found here. Please refer to our funding guidelines and sample budget as a guide for what we expect in a budget.
The office at the awardee’s university (e.g. Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of Grants and Contracts) will manage the grant funds.
Your letter of support should be written by your faculty advisor or mentor. Letters of support take a variety of forms and are not required to answer particular questions about you or your proposal. That said, recent grant recipients’ letters of support have addressed some or all of the following:
Contact OAR at research@researchautism.org.