OAR Applied Research Competition 2026 (up to $50,000) – YOA

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 greater than $5 million in analysis grants. Through the Applied Research Competition, OAR seeks to promote proof-primarily based practices primarily based on analysis within the following areas:

• The evaluation, analysis, or comparability of present fashions of evaluation, intervention, or programs of service supply, together with coverage evaluation
• Applied facets of instructional, behavioral, or social/communicative intervention
• Effective intervention throughout the lifespan for people thought-about severely affected by ASD
• Issues affecting adults with autism corresponding to persevering with schooling, employment, residential helps, sexuality instruction, high quality-of-life determinants, and companies and helps for older autistic people
• Issues associated to household help, social and group integration, evaluation and intervention with difficult habits, and the usage of expertise in help of learners with ASD

grant

• OAR funds pilot research that vary from 1-2 years. The most grant quantity is $50,000 no matter study length.

Eligibility

• International researchers are eligible to apply.
• At least one member of the analysis crew should maintain a Ph.D., M.D., or equal diploma and keep a school place or equal at a school, college, medical faculty, or different analysis facility.
• Applicants who’re in transition between analysis establishments in the course of the competitors interval however earlier than the study interval begins are nonetheless eligible to apply. In such instances, candidates should coordinate with the right workplace of sponsored applications and briefly clarify the pending standing of IRB approval inside the application.

Evaluation Criteria

OAR’s Scientific Council and adjunct overview panel will consider the letters of intent for scientific and technical benefit. Review standards for the analysis embrace:

• Significance – Does the proposed matter tackle an vital downside or tackle the wants of a at the moment underserved cohort of people? Will the study advance scientific information within the subject? Can the outcomes translate readily to help proof-primarily based observe? Does it have the potential to influence public coverage?
• Approach – Are the proposed ideas, design, strategies, and analyses ample, clearly outlined, and applicable? Does the undertaking account for doubtlessly confounding variables?
• Innovation – Does the undertaking make use of novel approaches or strategies? Are its goals unique? Does it have the potential to advance the understanding of ASD?
• Investigator – Is the investigator and/or analysis crew appropriately educated and properly-suited to perform the analysis?
• Environment – Does the scientific surroundings, wherein the work will happen, contribute to its likelihood of success? Does the work make the most of any distinctive options of the surroundings or make use of helpful collaborative preparations?
• Practical relevance – How related are the study and anticipated outcomes to the on a regular basis experiences of autistic people? Does it provide sensible findings? Are they generalizable past the analysis setting? Can key parts be readily replicated?

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to OAR Applied Research Competition.