Deadline: March 16, 2026
Applications are open for the OAR Applied Research Competition 2026. Since 2002, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) has proudly contributed more than $5 million in research grants. Through the Applied Research Competition, OAR seeks to promote evidence-based practices based on research 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 severely affected by ASD
- Issues affecting adults with autism such as continuing education, employment, residential supports, sexuality instruction, quality-of-life determinants, and services and supports for older autistic individuals
- 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 ASD
Grant
- OAR funds pilot studies that range from 1-2 years. The maximum grant amount is $50,000 regardless of study duration.
Eligibility
- International researchers are eligible to apply.
- At least one member of the research team must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and maintain a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility.
- Applicants who are in transition between research institutions during the competition period but before the study period begins are still eligible to apply. In such cases, applicants must coordinate with the proper office of sponsored programs and briefly explain the pending status of IRB approval within the application.
Evaluation Criteria
OAR’s Scientific Council and adjunct review panel will evaluate the letters of intent for scientific and technical merit. Review criteria for the evaluation include:
- Significance – Does the proposed topic address an important problem or address the needs of a currently underserved cohort of individuals? Will the study advance scientific knowledge in the field? Can the outcomes translate readily to support evidence-based practice? Does it have the potential to impact public policy?
- Approach – Are the proposed concepts, design, methods, and analyses adequate, clearly defined, and appropriate? Does the project account for potentially confounding variables?
- Innovation – Does the project employ novel approaches or methods? Are its aims original? Does it have the potential to advance the understanding of ASD?
- Investigator – Is the investigator and/or research team appropriately trained and well-suited to carry out the research?
- Environment – Does the scientific environment, in which the work will take place, contribute to its probability of success? Does the work take advantage of any unique features of the environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
- Practical relevance – How relevant are the study and anticipated outcomes to the everyday experiences of autistic individuals? Does it offer practical findings? Are they generalizable beyond the research setting? Can key components be readily replicated?
Application
For more information, visit OAR Applied Research Competition.
