Report: More than 100 proposals submitted to HHS for MAHA autism studies
As the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepares its report outlining possible causes of autism, the agency is also preparing to offer up to 25 research grants as part of an Autism Data Science Initiative, announced in May.
HHS announced it’s ready to spend upwards of $50 million on studies—and according to a report from Reuters, more than 100 proposals have been submitted. While the upcoming HHS report is using data from previous research to make conclusions about risk factors for autism spectrum disorder, these proposals constitute potential new studies, the results of which are expected to start trickling in over the next few years.
Awards are expected to be announced later this month.
Reuters said nearly 500 major universities and research institutions are linked to the proposals, including advocacy groups. Major players seeking grants include Harvard University, Columbia University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University.
In all cases, HHS is looking for data to be shared and said all studies will be subject to independent replication. Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, said all applicants were asked how they could use existing data sets to look for factors that contribute to autism, both genetic and environmental.
The agency, as a stated goal, is seeking to identify patterns that could point to potential causes—assuming they exist. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly stated this is a priority of the larger Make America Health Again (MAHA) agenda of President Donald Trump.
Possible grant beneficiaries who spoke to Reuters said they were impressed with the data-sharing and study replication requirements. However, it's not clear if those rules will apply to all research funded through the federal government pertaining to autism, or if those guidelines are limited to those chosen to be part of the Autism Data Science Initiative.
Reuters has more information. Their coverage of the proposals can be found at the link below.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.