Understanding and Promoting Resources and Opportunities for People with Autism and Fragile X and their Families Across the Lifespan

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled “Understanding and Promoting Resources and Opportunities for People with Autism and Fragile X Syndrome and their Families Across the Lifespan.” This program is administered through the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) and is designed to expand the federal understanding of long-term needs, services, and opportunities for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The initiative reflects broader federal priorities to improve health outcomes, reduce morbidity and mortality, and enhance quality of life through data-driven public health strategies. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to generate new, actionable data and disseminate evidence-based resources that address gaps in services and supports across the lifespan. The program is structured into three components. Component A focuses on autism through the SPROUT surveillance project, which builds upon earlier CDC-funded studies to collect longitudinal survey data from adolescents and young adults and their caregivers. Component B centers on Fragile X Syndrome through the FAST FORWARD registry, collecting clinical and survey data from individuals up to age 40. Component C supports the dissemination of public health resources and capacity-building efforts for healthcare providers and communities serving individuals with FXS. Funding will support activities such as participant recruitment, survey administration, clinical data collection, data management using standardized systems, and the development of public health products such as reports, publications, and educational materials. Funds may be used for staffing, data infrastructure, outreach, participant incentives, and dissemination efforts, but may not be used for research activities, clinical care beyond allowable limits, or lobbying. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and school districts. However, applicants must meet specific technical requirements depending on the component. For example, Component A applicants must demonstrate access to prior SEED study participants, while Component B applicants must have access to clinical populations of individuals with FXS. Component C applicants must demonstrate national-level outreach and communication capabilities. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as resumes, organizational charts, and letters of support. Optional letters of intent were due June 1, 2026, and the full application deadline is June 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including background and approach, strategy implementation, evaluation plans, and organizational capacity. Awards are expected to be announced by August 31, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. The total estimated program funding is $18,000,000 distributed across approximately 11 awards over a five-year performance period. Each component has distinct funding allocations and expected award sizes, with Component A receiving the largest share. The CDC will play an active role in this cooperative agreement, providing technical assistance, coordinating activities, and facilitating collaboration among awardees. This funding opportunity is not recurring in a standard annual cycle and represents a targeted federal investment in improving outcomes for individuals with autism and Fragile X Syndrome across the United States.