Autism Centers of Excellence R01

The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) R01 grant opportunity is a forecasted funding announcement from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), in collaboration with several other NIH institutes, including the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). These institutes aim to continue their long-term investment in autism research, building upon over two decades of previous ACE-related work. The ACE program was launched in 2007 and is designed to support multi-site collaborations that advance research into autism spectrum disorders using cutting-edge technologies and methods. This funding opportunity is not yet open for applications and is intended as a forecast to provide adequate time for potential applicants to develop collaborative proposals. Each ACE Network applying under this program is expected to submit a single R01 application that includes sub-awards to partnering sites. The overarching goal is to support large-scale, focused research projects that address key scientific questions in autism research, particularly those that benefit from a collaborative, multi-site approach. The opportunity uses the R01 Research Project Grant activity code and will solicit applications for innovative and collaborative projects that leverage insights from various scientific disciplines. Research topics are not specified in this notice but are expected to align with the priorities of the involved NIH institutes. Applicants should begin preparing meaningful collaborative proposals in anticipation of the formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to be issued. The estimated post date for the NOFO is July 1, 2026, with applications due by November 2, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be issued by July 1, 2027, with the project start date aligned with the award issuance. The total estimated funding available for this opportunity is $10 million, and approximately three awards are expected. The funding opportunity does not require matching funds. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, state and local governments, small businesses, and for-profit entities. Additionally, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories, and faith-based or regional organizations are encouraged to apply. This wide eligibility base supports inclusive participation across sectors. For more information, potential applicants can contact Dr. Alice Kau at the National Institutes of Health via email at kaua@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 301-496-1385. While applications are not being solicited at this time, investigators with relevant expertise are encouraged to begin forming collaborations and planning responsive projects. The grant is categorized under Health, with emphasis on collaborative, multisite autism research initiatives. No specific application questions, pre-application steps, or estimated preparation times were provided in this forecast.