Graduate Research Grant

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) established the Graduate Research Grant Program in 2004 to encourage and support students engaged in graduate and post-graduate studies in fields related to the assessment, intervention, and support of autistic individuals and their families. With over $348,572 awarded to 203 graduate research studies, OAR demonstrates a sustained commitment to funding impactful and practical autism research. Beginning in 2025, the program gives priority consideration to early-career autistic investigators, though all qualified applicants are considered regardless of diagnosis. The program is part of OAR’s mission to fund applied research that helps families today by producing actionable insights. The Graduate Research Grant Program provides awards of $1,000 for master’s-level research and $2,000 for doctoral or post-doctoral research. The competition supports independent studies that are likely to generate practical results to aid parents, professionals, and autistic individuals in making informed decisions for improved outcomes. Research areas prioritized by OAR include assessment models, intervention strategies, adult services such as education and housing, community integration, family support, communication systems, and interventions with real-world application. These categories reflect OAR’s focus on studies that have both scientific merit and practical value. Applicants must submit a single-phase online proposal by February 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. The application portal opens on or before September 12, 2025. Proposals must include a cover letter on department letterhead, an abstract, background, timeline, methodology, outcome expectations, and practical relevance statement. Supporting materials include IRB documentation, a detailed budget using the provided template, and a letter of support from a faculty advisor. Applications without IRB approval at submission must indicate the expected date of approval. OAR evaluates proposals on significance, methodology, innovation, and most critically, their relevance to everyday challenges in the autism community. This practical application focus often determines award decisions among comparably strong submissions. OAR’s Scientific Council assesses all proposals and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, which finalizes the grant awards. Awardees will be notified in May 2026. The grant period begins on July 1, 2026, and concludes December 31, 2027. OAR requires that funded research be conducted entirely within this timeframe. Funds cannot be used for student salary, tuition, or most electronic equipment, except under rare circumstances. A detailed budget outlining the use of funds is mandatory and must comply with OAR’s funding restrictions. International applicants and students outside the U.S. are eligible to apply. Applicants should direct inquiries or technical concerns to Vivian Muhumuza, Grants and Programs Associate, at (571) 977-5391 or via email at [email protected]. A detailed request for proposals (RFP) is available at https://researchautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Grad-Grant-RFP-2026.pdf. OAR anticipates making up to 12 awards totaling approximately $20,000 for the 2026 competition.

Clearly articulate the practical relevance of your study—this factor often determines which studies are selected. Emphasize meaningful outcomes and original approaches.