Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526ARPCDA
The DoW Autism Career Development Award (Funding Opportunity Number HT942526ARPCDA) is a fiscal year 2026 grant opportunity under the Autism Research Program (ARP) aimed at building and accelerating the careers of investigators who are positioned to make meaningful contributions to autism research. The program is designed for early-career, independent researchers, and it also welcomes established investigators who are shifting into autism research from other scientific areas. The focus is on supporting innovative, high-impact research ideas, including early-phase or proof-of-principle clinical trials, as long as the work has a clear path toward making a major difference in autism.
A key expectation of this award is that proposed projects should align with one of the FY26 ARP Career Development Award Areas of Interest. If an application does not directly fit one of those stated areas, it should make a strong case that the proposed work addresses a critical problem, question, or unmet need in autism. In other words, the opportunity is not just looking for solid science; it is looking for research that is well-justified in terms of real-world importance and relevance to the autism community and the broader field.
For applicants proposing a submission that includes a pilot clinical trial component, community collaboration is not optional. Those proposals must include meaningful engagement with community partners to maximize the practical impact of the research. The opportunity specifically expects applicants to name at least one community partner, such as an Autistic individual, a caregiver, or representatives from community-based organizations. That partner is expected to provide advice and consultation throughout both the planning and implementation phases, signaling that the program values research shaped with community input rather than research conducted in isolation from the people it is intended to benefit.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally means there are no special limitations stated in the notice on who may apply, beyond whatever requirements appear in the full funding announcement and application instructions. The funding is administered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026, and the original closing date is October 22, 2026. The anticipated number of awards is two, and the award ceiling is not specified in the provided source information, so applicants would need to review the full announcement or related guidance to confirm budget limits and any cost rules.
Overall, the award is structured to help investigators develop or pivot their research programs toward impactful autism-focused work, with an emphasis on innovation, early validation through proof-of-concept studies or small clinical trials, and strong alignment with stated priorities and community-informed research practices.Apply for HT942526ARPCDA
- The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Autism Career Development Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: DoW Autism Career Development Award (FY26)
What is the DoW Autism Career Development Award?
The DoW Autism Career Development Award is a fiscal year 2026 grant opportunity under the Autism Research Program (ARP) that is intended to build and accelerate the careers of investigators who are positioned to make meaningful contributions to autism research. The funding opportunity number is HT942526ARPCDA.
What is the main purpose of this award?
The award is designed to support investigators in developing or pivoting their research programs toward autism-focused work that is innovative and has a clear path to making a major difference in autism. The opportunity emphasizes high-impact ideas, including early validation efforts such as proof-of-principle studies and early-phase clinical trials.
Who is this grant meant for?
The program is designed for early-career, independent researchers. It also welcomes established investigators who are shifting into autism research from other scientific areas, as long as they are positioned to contribute meaningfully to autism research.
Is this opportunity limited to certain types of applicants?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the provided information. This generally indicates there are no special limitations stated in the notice on who may apply, beyond any requirements that may appear in the full funding announcement and application instructions.
What kinds of research projects are encouraged?
The opportunity supports innovative, high-impact autism research ideas. It can include early-phase or proof-of-principle clinical trials, as long as the project has a clear path toward making a major difference in autism and is well-justified in terms of real-world importance and relevance.
Are clinical trials allowed under this award?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes early-phase or proof-of-principle clinical trials as an example of the types of research it is willing to support, provided the work has a clear path toward meaningful impact in autism.
If my application includes a pilot clinical trial, do I need a community partner?
Yes. For submissions that include a pilot clinical trial component, community collaboration is not optional. The proposal must include meaningful engagement with community partners to maximize practical impact.
Who can count as a community partner for a pilot clinical trial proposal?
The opportunity expects applicants to name at least one community partner, such as an Autistic individual, a caregiver, or representatives from community-based organizations.
What is the expected role of the community partner in a pilot clinical trial proposal?
The community partner is expected to provide advice and consultation throughout both the planning and implementation phases. This reflects an expectation that community input helps shape the research rather than the research being conducted in isolation from the people it is intended to benefit.
Do projects need to match specific Areas of Interest?
Yes. A key expectation is that proposed projects should align with one of the FY26 ARP Career Development Award Areas of Interest.
What if my project does not directly fit one of the stated Areas of Interest?
If an application does not directly fit one of the stated areas, it should make a strong case that the proposed work addresses a critical problem, question, or unmet need in autism.
What does the program mean by emphasizing "real-world importance"?
Based on the provided description, the opportunity is looking for research that is not only scientifically sound, but also strongly justified in terms of relevance and importance to autism and the autism community, with a clear path toward meaningful impact.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HT942526ARPCDA.
Which program is this award part of?
This award is part of the Autism Research Program (ARP).
What federal category does this grant fall under?
It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA 12.420.
Who administers the funding for this opportunity?
The funding is administered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA).
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is October 22, 2026.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The anticipated number of awards is two.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the provided information. Applicants would need to review the full funding announcement or related guidance to confirm any budget limits and cost rules.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
What is the overall emphasis of the award?
The award emphasizes career development or career acceleration for investigators doing impactful autism-focused work, with particular focus on innovation, early validation (such as proof-of-concept studies or small clinical trials), alignment with stated priorities, and community-informed research practices when pilot clinical trials are proposed.
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