Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Program

The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Program is a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that funds autism research, services, workforce training, and prevalence monitoring nationwide. Authorized under the Autism CARES Act — the primary source of federal autism funding — this program has directed over . 2 billion to autism initiatives since 2007.

It supports Autism Centers of Excellence ( million program), LEND training sites at 60 locations, developmental behavioral pediatrician training, and two Autism Intervention Research Networks. In 2024, million funded over 700 NIH autism research projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, universities, and state and local governments with relevant expertise.

Award amounts vary by program area.

Federal autism programs under the Autism CARES Act The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (Autism CARES Act) is the **primary source of federal funding for autism**research, services, training, and monitoring. Over the past two decades, **over $5.

2 billion has been dedicated for autism** at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) because of the Autism CARES Act.

Originally passed in 2006, the Autism CARES Act has been the primary driver of progress in our understanding of autism as well as the development and dissemination of support for autistic people across the spectrum and lifespan. Autism Speaks has worked tirelessly with Congress to renew and expand this bipartisan legislation's transformative work with each iteration of the law.

The current version - the Autism CARES Act of 2024 - was signed into law on December 23, 2024. **Learn more about the Autism CARES Act of 2024.

** ## Ask Congress to fund Autism CARES Act programs NIH Research & Autism Centers of Excellence Autism Prevalence & Outreach Programs Training & Resource Programs ## Because of Autism CARES, scientific developments have * Set a reliable diagnosis age of 18-24 months * Established that timely interventions make a lifetime of difference * Identified co-morbidities * Increased understanding of biological causes of autism * Identified genes and possible medication targets * Developed early-career autism researchers ## Because of our advocacy in support of the Autism CARES Act, * Over $5.

2 billion in autism research and training programs have been funded since 2007. * In 2024, _**$306 million was devoted to over 700 autism research projects**_ funded by the National Institutes of Health.

* There is a _**$100 million**__**Autism Centers of Excellence**__**program**_, accelerating research on important areas of need, including early identification, aging, psychiatric conditions related to autism, underserved populations and health inequities, female diagnoses, and mental health in autistic adults.

* _**60 LEND program**__**sites across the country are training future health professionals**_ how to provide better health care services to autistic individuals. * _**13 sites across the country have received funding to train future**__**developmental behavioral pediatricians**_, helping address the national shortage of DBPs who specialize in care for autistic children.

* _**The**__**ADDM network**__**continues to monitor autism prevalence**_ and other important information about the characteristics and demographics of autistic children. With the support of our advocacy, it also saw its first expansion in over a decade. * There are _**2 Autism Intervention Research Networks, focused on key areas of research and translating research into clinical best practices and resources for families**_.

The Autism Intervention Research Network for Physical Health’s (AIR-P) promotes the health and well-being of autistic individuals across the life course, with a focus on increasing life expectancy, improving the healthcare experience, and optimizing physical health. The Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B) uses evidence-based research to provide autism community members with tools proven to make an impact.

The Autism CARES Act of 2014 also required a report to Congress on the current state of adult services. The **2017 Report to Congress: “Young Adults and Transitioning Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder**” addressed the where gaps exist and how to address those needs. _We continue to work with Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and other congressional champions on annual funding for this **bipartisan legislation**.

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