-The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage grant applications for the support of research designed to elucidate the diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, genetics, treatment, and optimal means of service delivery in relation to Autistic Disorder ("autism") and autism spectrum disorders (Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, or "Atypical Autism"). Basic, clinical and applied studied are encouraged. -This FOA is intended to support the broad research goals of the Autism Research Matrix (
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/researchmatrix.pdf) -This funding opportunity will use the NIH Research Project Grant (R01). This funding opportunity will also be run in parallel with two program announcements of identical scientific scope (PA-06-391and PA-06-392) that will utilize the small research grant (R03) and the exploratory/developmental (R21) grant mechanism. Applicants for the R03 and R21 awards must be submitted electronically, following the guidelines for submission in their respective announcements. -Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, costs, as well as the number of applications received. Funding decisions will reflect the needs, priorities and mission of the funding IC(s). -Eligible organizations include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units of State government, units of local government, eligible agencies of the Federal government, non-domestic institutions, domestic Institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, Indian/Native American Tribal government (Federally recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal government (other than Federally recognized); and Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization. -Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. -Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct. -See Section IV.1 for application materials. -Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-0088.