OAR Community Grant

The OAR Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals by funding community-led projects that address physical health and support services. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 are available for initiatives designed to produce practical tools and resources. Eligible applicants include family members, autistic individuals, and community organizations committed to improving the lives of those affected by autism. Projects should be innovative, publicly accessible, and focus on priority topics such as health systems and community services.

OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism.
In addition to funding research, our mission includes the requirements to:
Background
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR)—in collaboration with the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P)—seeks applications for the Community Grant Competition.
Through this competition, OAR/AIR-P will promote the development of community resources that enhance the physical health and quality of life of autistic individuals. These resources may enhance autistic individuals’ health and quality of life directly or indirectly (i.e. by providing guidance to family members, educators, or other providers). Beginning this year, OAR/AIR-P will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 for up to seven (7) related projects. The projects may last up to one year.
Project Examples
The following are examples of projects that will be funded through this Request for Application (RFA). All projects must be publicly accessible and intended for non-commercial informational and educational purposes.
Projects may include, but are not limited to, the creation of:

• Guides and/or manualsEducational curriculaBooks (children’s, instructional)Practical toolkitsInnovative multi-media tools
• Objective

Projects will promote the physical health and overall quality of life of autistic individuals across the lifespan. Specifically, all funded projects will lead to the production and dissemination of a practical tool; all funded projects will have the potential to impact community practices or public policy and aim to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals. Practical tools that are available in languages other than English are welcomed.
Priority Topics
Projects must address at least one of the following priority topics:
Physical HealthPrimary Care Services and QualityCommunity-Based Lifestyle ActivitiesMental Health Services or SupportsHealth Systems and ServicesGender, Sexuality, and Reproductive HealthAdult Services and SupportsTransition PlanningEmployment and Higher EducationHousing and Residential SupportsFinancial and Estate PlanningAdult Sibling Support

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include community stakeholders such as:Parents/family membersAutistic individualsDirect autism service providersCommunity organizations (e.g., K-12 public schools, parent groups, 501(c)(3) non-profits, etc.) By the time of award, the applicant must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).Eligible expenses include:Graphic design workTranslation servicesWeb/app developmentIncentives for stakeholder reviewTransportation feesPrint materials and publication feesDistribution feesAdministrative costsApplicants may submit up to 2 applications per cycle.

Ineligibility

Ineligible expenses include:Salary or stipends for work performed by internal staffSalary or stipend for writing contributorsIndirect costsNot applicable to University of California InstitutionsTuition fee remissionFood or beverage expensesWebsite maintenanceEssential software and equipmentExceptions made on a case-by-case basisResearchers are not eligible to apply.Projects must be led by community members. The grant supports resources developed by the community, not resources developed through research.