Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 17 008
The Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01) opportunity (RFA-HD-17-008) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), with participation from other NIH Institutes. It supports autism research through the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) Networks program, which is designed to fund coordinated, multi-site research efforts rather than single-investigator or single-institution projects. The core idea is to build a network of collaborating research sites that work together on one clearly defined autism-related research topic, using a structure that can bring together complementary expertise, shared methods, and broader participant reach than a single site could usually manage.
Under this announcement, each ACE Network is funded through the NIH R01 grant mechanism, but the application is expected to function as a true multi-site network. In practical terms, the network submits one R01 application that includes subawards (subcontracts/subgrants) to the collaborating institutions. This means there is one overall lead applicant organization coordinating the work, while partner sites receive funding through subawards and carry out defined parts of the project. The emphasis on a single application with multiple sites is meant to encourage unified scientific aims, consistent protocols, and coordinated management across the network.
This FOA is specifically for ACE Networks and is paired with a separate companion announcement for ACE Centers that are supported under a different mechanism (P50; companion FOA RFA-HD-16-009). The distinction matters because P50 center grants are typically structured to support broader center infrastructure and multiple projects/cores, while this R01 network announcement is framed around one multi-site project focused on a specific research topic.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional categories that may apply, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, the opportunity places clear limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, the FOA allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain types of foreign collaboration or work performed abroad if it meets NIH policy requirements and is appropriately justified and structured within the application.
Key administrative details from the source information include that this is a discretionary grant program within the broad funding activity category spanning environment, health, income security, and social services, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, and 93.865. The opportunity was created on 2016-07-12 and had an original closing date of 2016-11-17. The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000, indicating the maximum funding level expected per award under the terms presented in the source summary (with the specific final budget and project period details typically governed by NIH policy, institute guidance, and the peer review and award process).Apply for RFA HD 17 008
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-11-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01) - RFA-HD-17-008
1) What is the Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01) opportunity?
This opportunity is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement titled Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01) with the identifier RFA-HD-17-008. It supports autism research through the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) Networks program.
2) Which NIH Institute is leading this funding announcement?
The announcement is led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), with participation from other NIH Institutes.
3) What is the main goal of the ACE Networks program?
The main goal is to fund coordinated, multi-site autism research that goes beyond what a single investigator or single institution could typically accomplish. The program is designed to build a network of collaborating research sites that work together on one clearly defined autism-related research topic.
4) Is this intended for single-site or single-investigator projects?
No. The program is specifically designed for multi-site network efforts rather than single-investigator or single-institution projects.
5) What grant mechanism is used to fund an ACE Network under this announcement?
Each ACE Network is funded through the NIH R01 grant mechanism. Even though it uses an R01, the application is expected to function as a true multi-site network.
6) How is the multi-site network structured in the application?
The network submits one R01 application that includes subawards (subcontracts/subgrants) to collaborating institutions. There is one lead applicant organization that coordinates the overall work, while partner sites receive funding via subawards to carry out defined parts of the project.
7) Why does the FOA emphasize a single application with multiple sites?
The emphasis supports unified scientific aims, consistent protocols, and coordinated management across the network, helping the participating sites operate as a single, integrated project.
8) What should the network focus on scientifically?
The network is intended to focus on one clearly defined autism-related research topic, bringing together complementary expertise, shared methods, and broader participant reach than a single site could typically manage.
9) Is this funding opportunity the same as the ACE Centers program?
No. This funding opportunity is specifically for ACE Networks. It is paired with a separate companion announcement for ACE Centers, which are supported under a different mechanism.
10) What is the companion FOA for ACE Centers, and how is it different?
The companion FOA for ACE Centers is RFA-HD-16-009, which uses the P50 center grant mechanism. In general terms, P50 center grants are typically structured to support broader center infrastructure and multiple projects/cores, while this R01 network announcement is framed around one multi-site project focused on a specific research topic.
11) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
12) Are any additional organization types specifically highlighted as potentially eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights additional categories that may apply, such as:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- Eligible agencies of the federal government
- U.S. territories or possessions
13) Can a foreign (non-U.S.) institution apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization under this opportunity.
14) Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
15) Is any foreign involvement allowed at all?
Yes. The FOA allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This means a U.S. applicant may include certain types of foreign collaboration or work performed abroad if it meets NIH policy requirements and is appropriately justified and structured within the application.
16) What is the program type or funding activity category?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program within a broad funding activity category spanning environment, health, income security, and social services.
17) What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers:
- 93.113
- 93.173
- 93.242
- 93.853
- 93.865
18) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2016-07-12.
19) What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date was 2016-11-17.
20) What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000, which indicates the maximum funding level expected per award under the terms presented in the source summary.
21) Does the award ceiling guarantee an award amount?
No. The ceiling reflects the maximum expected per award in the summarized terms provided. Final budget and project period details are typically governed by NIH policy, institute guidance, and the peer review and award process.
22) Does this program require multiple institutions to be involved?
The program is designed for a coordinated, multi-site network and expects a structure where a lead applicant coordinates the project and collaborating institutions participate via subawards.
23) How does this network approach help autism research?
Based on the description provided, the network approach is intended to enable collaboration across sites with complementary expertise, shared methods, and broader participant reach than a single site could usually manage.
24) What does it mean that this is an R01 but functions like a network?
It means that while the legal/administrative mechanism is an NIH R01, the project is expected to be organized and managed as a multi-site network with coordinated operations, rather than as a single lab or single-institution study.
25) What is the key administrative expectation for collaborating sites?
The key expectation is that collaborating sites participate through subawards under one overall R01 application, contributing to unified aims and coordinated management across the network.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA HD 17 008) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Centers (P50) Apply for RFA HD 17 009 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03) Apply for PA 16 387 Funding Number: PA 16 387 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 16 388 Funding Number: PA 16 388 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 16 386 Funding Number: PA 16 386 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Genetic Susceptibility and Variability of Human Structural Birth Defects (R01) Apply for PAR 17 236 Funding Number: PAR 17 236 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Fertility Status as a Marker for Overall Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 049 Funding Number: PA 18 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum (R21- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 400 Funding Number: PA 18 400 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum (R03-Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 399 Funding Number: PA 18 399 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 401 Funding Number: PA 18 401 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 18 835 Funding Number: PAR 18 835 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 836 Funding Number: PAR 18 836 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 19 121 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| U.S.-Brazil Collaborative Biomedical Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 18 054 Funding Number: RFA AI 18 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 292 Funding Number: PAR 19 292 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Novel and Robust Systems for Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 293 Funding Number: PAR 19 293 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Establishing Basic Science-Clinical Collaborations to Understand Structural Birth Defects (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 065 Funding Number: PAR 20 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Analyses of Down Syndrome-related Research Data for the INCLUDE Project (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 006 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research Award for the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occurring Conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome) Project (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 201 Funding Number: PA 21 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 200 Funding Number: PA 21 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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