Organization for Autism Research
/OVERVIEW: The Organization for Autism Research supports applied research that aims to improve the lives of autistic people. It also runs scholarship programs for autistic students pursuing postsecondary education or technology training programs.
IP TAKE: OAR is an accessible funder for Ph.D-level researchers and graduate students conducting applied research on autism. Each program runs an open, online application program, but eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary significantly by program. Prospective grantees should examine individual program pages carefully before applying. Research grants are awarded in amounts of up to $50,000 and scholarships are generally range from $500 to $5,000.
OAR is an accessible, but competitive funder that accepts applications for each of its grantmaking and scholarship programs. Eligibility, guidelines and due date vary significantly by program; prospective grantees are advised to check individual program pages periodically for updates.
PROFILE: Based in Arlington, Virginia, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) was established in 2001 by a group of seven “parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum.” The organization strives to “use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of self-advocates, parents, autism professionals and caregivers.” In addition to supporting applied research on autism, OAR fund scholarships for autistic students and adult learners and initiatives to increase autism awareness and understanding.
Grants for Early Childhood and K-12 Education
OAR’s education grantmaking focuses on research aimed at improving the educational experiences of autistic students from early childhood through 12th grade. The organization’s applied research grantmaking program “supports research that serves the immediate needs of the autism community.” Recent educational topics include behavioral plans for autistic students, bilingual education for autistic children and the use of interventions to help deal with anxiety among autistic preschoolers. Applied research grants are awarded in amounts of up to $40,000 for up to two years and generally support the work of established Ph.D-level researchers. OAR begins accepting letters of intent for its applied research grants in early December, with a due date in March.
OAR runs a separate grantmaking program for graduate research on autism. These grants support masters and PhD candidates’ “studies that will likely produce practical and clearly objective results that may aid parents, families, professionals, and people with autism to make more fully informed choices that will lead to healthier and happier lives.” Graduate research grants are awarded in the amount of $1,000 for students pursuing masters’ degrees and $2,000 for students at doctoral or post-doctoral levels. Recent grants have supported studies of tablet-based instruction for autistic students, behavioral strategies for families and classrooms and the role of movement in the communication skills of autistic adolescents. OAR opens its application portal for this program in September, with proposals typically due in early February.
In a recent year, OAR launched its Peer Education Grant program, which supports “projects that aim to promote autism awareness and acceptance among student sin grades K-8 using OAR’s peer education program.” Recipients include schools, districts, libraries and other community organizations, and grants range from $500 to $5,000. OAR runs two annual grantmaking cycle for these awards, with due dates in January and June of each year.
Grants for Higher Education
OAR supports autistic students pursuing postsecondary education via its postsecondary scholarships. Opportunities include:
The Schwallie Family Scholarship for autistic students pursuing attending four-year colleges or two-year colleges “with the intention of completing a four-year degree.”
The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship for autistic students “who face daily challenges related to autism” and who wish to attend “two-year undergraduate colleges, life skills or postsecondary programs, or vocational, technical, or trade schools.”
The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color, which supports “students attending any type of postsecondary education” and who “belong to an underrepresented racial/ethic minority group.”
All three scholarships are awarded in the amount of $3,000. OAR’s scholarship application program opens in December, with application’s due in May. Applicants receive notification of awards in July.
Grants for Work and Opportunity, Housing and Mental Health
A significant portion of OAR’s applied research and graduate research grants support studies that concern work, vocational training, housing and mental health among autistic populations. Recent topics of interest have included training for autistic individuals in the areas of public speaking and living skills, community therapy groups and mental health of autistic individuals.
The organization also runs a Synchrony Tech Careers Scholarship program for “autistic adults interested in obtaining technology-related certifications and pursuing a career in the tech sector.” Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000. The organization typically opens its application portal for this program in mid-January and ends the application cycle at the end of March. adults interested in obtaining technology-related certifications and pursuing a career in the tech sector.
Important Grant Details:
OAR made about $450,000 in grants in a recent year. Research grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, and scholarships are generally awarded in set amounts. Grants generally support individual researchers at universities or institutes in the U.S. Recent grants have gone to institutions including the Kennedy Kreiger Institute, San Diego State University, Indiana University and the Boston Medical Center. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the organization’s studies funded page.
Recent funding has prioritized research pertaining to early intervention, K-12 student success and the life and vocational skills of autistic adults. OAR also funds several scholarships for autistic students pursuing four-year, two-year or technology training programs and a program to promote awareness and acceptance of autistic children in public schools.
General inquiries may be directed to the organization’s staff via its contact page.
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