Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC) | HRSA 25 021

FAQs: Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC) - HRSA/MCHB (HRSA-25-021)

1) What is the Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC)?

The Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). Funded organizations are expected to function as research centers that connect research to real-world practice to improve systems of care and health outcomes for children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities (DD).

2) Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) under MCHB (Maternal and Child Health Bureau).

3) How does Autism RC fit into MCHB's broader research efforts?

Autism RC sits within the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Research Consortium Program (MCHB RCP). The MCHB RCP is intended to build a coordinated, national community of researchers focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes, and it consolidates several previous MCHB research funding approaches into a single structure.

4) Does this funding opportunity replace any prior programs?

Yes. For FY 2025, this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) replaces the earlier MCHB Research Network program, including the Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B) and the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P). This change signals a move toward a more unified and partnership-driven research model.

5) Why is this program being funded now (what need is it addressing)?

The NOFO cites the scale and complexity of autism in the United States and persistent gaps in services. It references parent-reported data from the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health indicating that 3.6% of children ages 3 to 17 have a current autism diagnosis (nearly 2.2 million children and adolescents). The NOFO also notes higher rates of co-occurring mental and behavioral health conditions among autistic children and major barriers families face in accessing adequate health care.

6) What equity issues does the opportunity emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes inequities in how early children are diagnosed, whether they can access needed services, and the overall quality of care they receive. It highlights that these challenges are often more severe for underserved and vulnerable populations and stresses research that is effective, scalable, and relevant across diverse communities.

7) What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement. In a cooperative agreement, HRSA is expected to have substantial involvement in guiding, coordinating, or partnering on funded activities compared with a traditional grant.

8) What are the expectations for awardees (what will funded organizations do)?

Awardees are expected to operate as research centers that actively connect research to real-world practice. The centers are expected to translate evidence into practice, support implementation of evidence-based interventions, and improve systems of care addressing both physical health and behavioral health needs for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, with an across-the-lifespan orientation.

9) Are research-practice partnerships required?

Yes. A core requirement is the development of research-practice partnerships with community organizations, people with lived experience (including autistic people and family members/caregivers), and MCHB programs. The intent is for research questions, study designs, interventions, and implementation strategies to reflect community needs and sustainability in real-world settings.

10) Who is the research intended to benefit?

Applications must center on children or adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. The overall intent is to strengthen the evidence base and measurably improve service delivery and health outcomes, particularly where current systems create barriers for families.

11) Is the focus only on behavioral health, or only on physical health?

The opportunity emphasizes improving both physical health and behavioral health outcomes. It also notes that autistic children experience higher rates of co-occurring mental and behavioral health conditions than peers without autism, while also facing barriers to adequate health care.

12) Does the NOFO require applicants to choose a specific research category?

Yes. Each applicant must choose one of the NOFO's specified categories and then address one or more priority topics within that chosen category (where applicable).

13) Are the priorities connected to any national strategies or plans?

Yes. The priorities are described as aligned with MCHB's strategic direction (including the Blueprint for Change) and with the 2021-2023 Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Plan.

14) How many awards does HRSA expect to make?

HRSA anticipates making up to two awards per category, with a total of five expected awards overall. This implies a competitive process with a small number of funded centers intended to have national influence.

15) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) listed in the opportunity is $1,000,000.

16) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HRSA-25-021.

17) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 93.877.

18) What is the application due date?

The original application closing date is April 23, 2025.

19) When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on January 17, 2025.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to domestic entities, and it is broad within that domestic limitation. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), state and local governments (including counties, cities, townships, special districts, and independent school districts), and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations.

21) What does "domestic" mean for this opportunity?

"Domestic" is defined to include the 50 states and Washington, DC, as well as US territories and freely associated states. Examples listed include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

22) Can for-profit organizations apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations (including small businesses) are included among eligible domestic applicants.

23) Can nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status apply?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included among eligible domestic applicants.

24) Can state, local, or tribal governments apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state and local governments and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, as long as they are domestic entities as defined in the opportunity.

25) What is the practical outcome HRSA appears to be seeking from funded centers?

The opportunity indicates that funded centers should go beyond publishing results by translating evidence into practice, supporting implementation of evidence-based interventions, and improving systems of care in ways that are scalable and relevant across diverse communities, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations.