OAR Peer Education Grant

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is dedicated to promoting greater understanding and acceptance of individuals on the autism spectrum. Through its Peer Education Grant, OAR seeks to foster inclusive educational environments by funding projects that use its specialized resources—namely the Kit for Kids and Autism Tuned In—to educate non-autistic students about autism. The aim is to encourage empathy, reduce stigma, and improve social integration for autistic children and youth. This grant supports autism awareness activities led by teachers, school administrators, parents, youth group organizers, and autism professionals. It is available to K–12 public schools and school districts, libraries, and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, including U.S. military installations overseas. Emphasis is placed on projects that serve low-income communities. The funding can be used for materials, printing, venue costs, guest speaker honorariums and travel, and light refreshments. However, salaries are not an eligible expense. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for school district-wide efforts, while smaller-scale initiatives may receive between $500 and $5,000. The total funding pool for this opportunity is $50,000. Funds and materials will be distributed prior to the project start date. All grantees are required to submit a final report, budget, and receipts within one month of completing their project. Applications opened September 29, 2025, and are due by January 12, 2026. The earliest project start date is April 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the funding decision within a month of the submission deadline. There is no pre-application step required, and the application must include an application form, a detailed budget, and optionally, charity verification documentation. Evaluation criteria include project quality, number of students impacted, funding requested, and alignment with OAR's educational mission. Projects that are well-organized, cost-effective, and capable of achieving measurable awareness and inclusion outcomes will be prioritized. Questions regarding the grant may be directed to Vivian at programs@researchautism.org.

Projects serving low-income communities are encouraged; impact and quality are key evaluation criteria.