DoW Autism Idea Development Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking to develop innovative, high-risk/high-reward autism research projects. Eligible applicants typically include academic researchers, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations with research capability. The program funds early-stage ideas that could lead to significant breakthroughs in autism research.
Applicants should propose novel research addressing autism-related priorities or critical gaps in the field. Projects should demonstrate potential for major advancement in understanding or improving outcomes for autistic individuals.
The grant supports idea development and proof-of-concept work. Partnering PI arrangements are permitted, allowing two investigators to collaborate on a single project.
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Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Autism Research Program (ARP) Idea Development Award supports the development of innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for Autistic individuals. This award mechanism is designed to support innovative ideas with the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation.
Distinctive Features: Applications are strongly encouraged to address one of the FY26 ARP Idea Development Award Areas of Interest or provide justification that the proposed research addresses a critical problem, question, or need in autism.
Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: The Partnering PI Option is structured so that two investigators, each of whom will be designated as a PI, will work synergistically on a single project. The results of this partnering project should significantly advance the research beyond what would be possible through individual efforts.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Research proposal/project narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches of PI(s)
- Institution approval/administrative documentation
- Letters of support (if applicable)
- Research plan addressing identified Areas of Interest
Program contact
- 👤 JoAnn Martin Grantor
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-2594
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.420 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$2,265,729,366
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$800,631,761
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$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
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$55,443,120
-
$34,191,124
-
$24,907,742
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$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- CA 12 awards $107.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- TX 8 awards $76.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.420). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,483,968,520 | |
| 2025 | $1,201,153,417 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this award?
Researchers at academic institutions, research centers, and eligible nonprofit organizations can apply. You typically need institutional affiliation and research credentials.
What is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is October 22, 2026. Submit before this date.
What types of projects are funded?
Early-stage, innovative autism research ideas with high risk/high reward potential. Proof-of-concept and preliminary data development are supported.
How competitive is this grant?
This is moderately competitive. Strong innovation, clear relevance to autism outcomes, and feasibility are key to success.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary by institution and proposal scope. Contact USAMRAA for specific budget guidance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with the FY26 Areas of Interest if possible. If your idea falls outside these areas, provide strong justification of the critical problem it addresses.
- Emphasize innovation and high-reward potential. Reviewers fund bold ideas with clear relevance to autistic individuals' outcomes.
- Consider the Partnering PI option if your project benefits from complementary expertise from two investigators working together.
- Build a realistic preliminary data section. Feasibility matters; show the project is doable within the award period.
- Connect your research directly to improving outcomes for autistic individuals. Avoid purely basic science without clear translational potential.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear relevance to autism or improving outcomes for autistic individuals. Proposals appear routine rather than innovative or high-reward. Applicants underestimate risk by proposing incremental work instead of bold early-stage ideas.
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