DoD Autism, Career Development Award

The DOD FY24 Autism Career Development Award program aims to support innovative research relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by funding early-career or transitioning investigators. This funding opportunity, under the Department of Defense’s Autism Research Program, has an allocation of $15 million for FY24, with the maximum funding per project set at $550,000 over three years. The proposal submission involves a two-step process: a pre-application due by May 16, 2024, followed by formal applications invited on June 26, 2024, and due by August 15, 2024. Key areas of interest include novel therapeutics, community-supported interventions, and factors impacting the quality of life for military families, among others. The selection criteria include scientific merit, innovation, impact on ASD understanding, and the strengths of the principal investigator and research team. Successful applications are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of ASD issues and provide substantial preliminary data to justify proposed research. This program highlights the commitment of the DOD to enhance ASD research with practical implications for service members, veterans, and their families.