Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 22 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 22 007

The Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-HD-22-007) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in partnership with other NIH Institutes. Its purpose is to support coordinated, multi-site autism research organized as "ACE Networks." In practice, an ACE Network is meant to bring together multiple collaborating sites to work on a shared, clearly defined research theme in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental science, with the intent that the collaboration across sites strengthens the study design, increases sample size or diversity, enables harmonized methods, and accelerates progress on a targeted research question.

This program uses the R01 mechanism, meaning it supports a discrete research project with defined aims, while allowing the project to be carried out across more than one institution. A key structural feature is that each network submits a single R01 application on behalf of the entire collaboration, and that application includes subawards to the partnering sites. In other words, applicants are not submitting separate R01s for each site; instead, the network is proposed as one integrated project with a lead applicant organization and formally budgeted subcontracts/subawards for collaborators. The notice also specifies that clinical trials are optional under this announcement, so the proposed network project may be either non-clinical-trial research or a clinical trial, depending on the scientific question and design.

The opportunity sits within NIH's broader Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) portfolio. This particular announcement is specifically for Networks supported by an R01. A companion funding announcement (RFA-HD-22-008) invites applications for ACE Centers supported by the P50 mechanism, which is typically used for larger, more comprehensive center-style programs. Applicants choosing between the two should understand that this R01 Network FOA is geared toward a focused multi-site project organized as a network, rather than a full center grant structure.

Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types and includes state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and individuals. The listing also includes "Unrestricted," reflecting NIH's generally inclusive applicant policies for many mechanisms. However, a major restriction is explicit: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply under this FOA, so the applicant organization must be U.S.-based.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under NIH. The funding activity category is listed broadly under environment, health, income security, and social services, consistent with CFDA/assistance listings tied to multiple NIH institutes and research areas. The CFDA (assistance listing) numbers associated with this opportunity are 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, and 93.865, reflecting the participation of multiple NIH components and the range of research domains that may intersect with autism research.

The opportunity originally closed on 2021-11-09, and the record shows an award ceiling of $1,500,000. While the expected number of awards is not provided in the source data you shared, the ceiling figure indicates NIH anticipated supporting sizable, but still R01-scale, multi-site projects where funds can be distributed via subawards to collaborating institutions. The overall intent is to fund networked research that can answer important autism-related questions more effectively than a single-site project, using coordinated approaches across multiple locations and teams.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

Apply for RFA HD 22 007

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