DoD Autism Idea Development Award

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The ARP Idea Development Award mechanism was first offered in FY07. Since then, 109 Idea Development Award applications have been received, and 13 have been recommended for funding. The ARP Idea Development Award supports the development of innovative, high-impact ideas that advance the understanding of ASD and that ultimately will lead to improved outcomes for individuals with autism. Research involving human subject participation is permitted under this funding opportunity, but is restricted to studies without Clinical Trials. In general, a clinical trial is defined as a prospective study where an intervention (e.g., device, drug, behavioral, surgical procedure, or other) is tested on human subjects for a measurable outcome. Principal Investigators (PIs) wishing to apply for funding for a clinical trial should utilize the Clinical Trial Award mechanism. Refer to the General Application Instructions, Appendix 5, for additional information about studies involving human subjects, human subjects data, or human anatomical substances. Preliminary data relevant to the proposed research project is required. Preliminary data, unpublished results from the laboratory of the PI, research team, or collaborators named on this application, may be from outside of the ASD research field. Proposals should also be based on a sound scientific rationale that is established through logical reasoning and critical review and analysis of the literature. Multiple PI Option: The FY10 ARP supports collaborative research in order to bring a new perspective to ASD research and/or facilitate progress in the field by combined effort. Therefore, up to three investigators may work on a single project, each of whom will be recognized as a PI and receive a separate award. One member of the team will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with the proposal. The other member(s) will be referred to as the Partnering PI(s). All the investigators must collaborate to submit a single proposal addressing a central problem or question in ASD research. It should be clear that all investigators have an equal level of intellectual input and effort. Multidisciplinary and multi-organizational projects are allowed. If the project is multi-organizational, PIs should include plans for communication between investigators at each organization. Additionally, participating organizations must be willing to resolve potential intellectual and material property issues, and to remove any barriers that might interfere with achieving high levels of cooperation to ensure successful completion of this award. Important aspects of the Idea Development Award are as follows: 1. Impact: The proposed research is expected to make an important and original contribution to advancing the understanding of ASD and lead ultimately to improved outcomes for individuals with ASD. 2. Innovation: Research deemed innovative may represent a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities. Research may be innovative in study concept, research methods or technology, or adaptations of existing methods or technologies. Research that represents an incremental advance on previously published work is not typically considered innovative. It is the responsibility of the PI to clearly and explicitly articulate the project’s innovation and the potential impact on ASD.

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