Environmental Contributors to Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01) | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Environmental Contributors to Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01) funding opportunity (PAR 14-203) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant program designed to push the field toward a clearer, evidence-based understanding of how non-genetic factors contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The central aim is twofold: first, to identify environmental contributors that influence the risk of developing ASD and the ways ASD presents (sometimes described as risk and expression), and second, to explain the biological mechanisms through which those environmental factors affect pathways already implicated in ASD. In practice, this means NIH is looking for projects that move beyond broad correlations and instead help pinpoint what exposures matter, when they matter (critical developmental windows), and what they do biologically in the brain and body.

This FOA encourages a wide range of scientific approaches, which is important because ASD is complex and likely involves multiple interacting influences. On one end of the spectrum, applicants can propose basic mechanistic studies that use in vitro systems (for example, cell culture models that allow careful control of exposure dose and timing) and in vivo model systems (animal models or other whole-organism approaches that can connect exposure to neurodevelopmental outcomes and relevant molecular pathways). On the other end, the announcement also supports human-focused research that either adds new data collection to existing studies or leverages extant data and biospecimens that are already available through ongoing or completed cohorts and repositories. That emphasis on using existing datasets and specimens reflects a practical goal: accelerating discovery by building on prior investments, while still allowing researchers to add targeted new measures when necessary to test a specific hypothesis.

A particularly prominent theme in the FOA is gene-environment interplay. NIH signals that studies addressing hypotheses about the joint contribution of genes and environment are of special interest, meaning proposals that consider how genetic susceptibility may shape response to environmental exposures, or how environmental factors may influence gene expression and downstream biology (for example through epigenetic mechanisms). This focus aligns with the broader understanding that ASD risk is not usually explained by a single cause; rather, multiple genetic and environmental influences may combine, interact, or amplify one another across development.

The intended payoff of the research is explicitly translational in a public health sense. NIH anticipates that knowledge produced under this FOA will inform prevention and intervention strategies, suggesting that the agency is not only interested in mechanistic insight for its own sake, but also in findings that could eventually support actionable guidance. That could include identifying modifiable environmental risk factors, clarifying exposure timing and dose-response relationships, or revealing biological pathways that can be targeted by interventions. While the FOA does not prescribe specific exposures or mechanisms, its structure indicates a preference for studies that can plausibly move the field toward clear, testable, and potentially actionable conclusions.

Administratively, this opportunity is an NIH discretionary grant using the R01 mechanism, which typically supports mature, hypothesis-driven projects with a well-developed research plan. The program falls under several CFDA listings connected to environmental health, mental health research, and child health and human development (93.113, 93.242, and 93.865), reflecting its cross-cutting relevance. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, and the listed award ceiling is $400,000. The FOA was posted on May 2, 2014, with an original and final closing date of August 26, 2016, and an archive date of September 26, 2016, meaning it is no longer open but remains useful as a reference for the scientific priorities NIH articulated at the time.

Eligibility is broad and includes many categories of U.S.-based organizations: public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), independent school districts, and various units of government (city/township, county, state, special district), as well as public housing authorities and tribal governments and organizations. The FOA also explicitly names a range of institution types and community-focused organizations as eligible, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, along with faith-based or community-based organizations and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply directly, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed, which generally means a U.S. applicant may include a justified international element within an otherwise eligible application structure.

For applicants or readers seeking the complete announcement and requirements, NIH provided the full FOA text via the NIH Grants Guide webpage (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-203.html). The contact listed for technical access and linking problems is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.

Browse more business programs for Environmental Groups, Autism Research

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Health Income Security and Social Services

Next opportunity: Environmental Contributors to Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21)

Previous opportunity: NEI Administrative Supplements to Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grants for the Procurement of Expertise in the Federal Regulatory Approval Process for New Drugs and/or Devices (Admin Supp)

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for PAR 14 203

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 14 203) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 14 203", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.