Peer Education Grant Program is a grant from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) that funds autism awareness and acceptance initiatives in schools and community-based organizations across the United States. Grants range from $500 to $5,000 for project-level initiatives, and up to $10,000 for school district-wide projects.

Eligible expenses include OAR's peer education materials (Kit for Kids, Autism Tuned In), print costs, speaker honorariums and travel, venue rental, and refreshments. Salaries cannot be covered.

Eligible applicants include teachers, administrators, parents, youth group organizers, and autism professionals working through K-12 schools, libraries, and U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including those at U.S. military installations overseas. School districts and organizations serving low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply. The application deadline is June 29, 2026.

Peer Education Grant | Organization for Autism Research Children who learn about autism develop better, more inclusive relationships with their autistic peers. OAR is committed to increasing autism acceptance through the Peer Education Grant by delivering Kit for Kids materials and funds to support relevant educational activities.

OAR will award grants of up to $10,000 for school district-wide projects; OAR will continue to award grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for all other projects of lesser scope. Teachers, administrators, parents, youth group organizers, and autism professionals interested in organizing an autism awareness initiative at a school or other community-based organization may apply.

Eligible organizations include but are not limited to K-12 public schools, districts, libraries, and 501(c)(3) non-profits in the United States. This includes U.S. military installations overseas. School districts and organizations that serve low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application period is now OPEN. Access the Application Here Earliest Project Start Date OAR will support projects that use OAR’s peer education materials ( Kit for Kids , Autism Tuned In ) to increase autism awareness and acceptance. Example projects include awareness campaigns, workshops, and presentations.

Eligible expenses include but are not limited to OAR’s peer education materials, print costs, honorariums and travel expenses for guest speakers, venue rental, and refreshments. Funds cannot be used to cover salaries. School districts and organizations that serve low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

OAR will review applications by the stated deadlines to determine the successful applicants and the amount to be awarded. The number of grants awarded will be based on the number of applications submitted, the quality of projects, the number of students impacted, and the amount of money requested. Peer Education Grant FAQs Who is eligible to apply for the Peer Education Grant?

Teachers, administrators, parents, youth group organizers, and autism professionals interested in organizing an autism awareness initiative at a school or other community-based organization may apply. Eligible organizations include but are not limited to K-12 public schools, districts, libraries, and 501(c)(3) non-profits in the United States . This includes U.S. military installations overseas.

School districts and organizations that serve low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply . Can I submit more than one application? Applicants may only submit one application per cycle .

How much funding can I request? The Peer Education Grant will award grants of up to $10,000 for school district-wide projects and grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for all other projects of lesser scope. How do I submit an application?

I forgot my password for the application. What should I do? OAR does not have access to user passwords.

Please utilize the “Forgot Password” feature on the application portal. I have a question that was not answered here. How can I contact you?

If you are unable to find what you are searching for or have additional questions, please contact programs@researchautism. org . You’ll receive periodic updates and articles from OAR