Autism Clinical Research Pilot Project RFA Grant

The Autism Clinical Research Pilot Project RFA aims to support innovative research addressing the etiology and service delivery of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in New Jersey. With funding of up to $300,000 over three years, projects focusing on health equity and community-driven questions are encouraged. The program seeks to foster collaborations that enhance the well-being of individuals with ASD and advance health equity, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Introduction
The purpose of these research grant programs are to promote and support research capable of advancing the mission of the Council with the issuance of 2 research initiative opportunities:

• Clinical Research Pilot Projects (3 years).Basic Science Research Pilot Projects (2 years).

The awards for these research grant programs are intended to promote ASD research in New Jersey, not to provide long-term support. The data and results gained by using Council funds will allow investigators from New Jersey to develop stronger proposals for submission to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and biomedical research foundations.
Clinical Research Pilot Projects are intended to explain the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and optimal means of service delivery in relation to ASD, while improving the physical and/or behavioral health and well-being of individuals with ASD. Exploratory, novel studies that break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions are appropriate for this opportunity.
The Clinical Research Pilot Project grant program also intends to support new discoveries and the development of best practices to improve the lives of people with ASD in New Jersey while encouraging the development of new clinical inter- and multidisciplinary teams. Preference will be given to research projects that have been judged to have the potential to impact persons with ASD directly or attract grant support from federal or other organizations that promote health equity for vulnerable populations, i.e., disabled, LGBTQ, racial and ethnic minorities. Grant funding may also be used to support collaborative investigative teams or individual scientists who propose unusually innovative research projects, which, if successful, would have a major impact in developing, implementing, or disseminating innovative and effective interventions to prevent, reduce, or eliminate health disparities and advance health equity. y.
Research projects addressing health equity are strongly encouraged and must clearly demonstrate, based on the strength of the logic, a compelling potential to produce a major impact in addressing health disparities and inequities. Additionally, research addressing community prioritized questions, cross-cutting issues such as social determinants of health across sectors, multiple levels and systems that contribute to health disparities, and/or priority areas of autism are particularly encouraged.
Funding
Applicants for the Clinical Research Pilot Projects may apply for a three (3)-year stipend of $100,000 per year for a total of $300,000.