The Understanding and Promoting Resources and Opportunities for People with Autism and Fragile X and their Families Across the Lifespan notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), aims to gather unique information to better understand the resources and opportunities needed to reduce morbidity, mortality, and economic impacts for people with autism or Fragile X syndrome across the lifespan. The programme funds cooperative agreements for three complementary components that include data collection, research, and dissemination activities.

Overview

This NOFO supports three distinct but related components designed to address the needs of individuals with autism and Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and their families. Component A, the Survey to Promote Resources and Opportunities for aUtistic Teens and young adults (SPROUT), builds on existing Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) cohorts to collect caregiver and self-report data on service needs, co‑occurring conditions, and educational, transitional, social, and vocational experiences. Component B, Focus on Advancing Support and Transition with the Fragile X Online Registry With Accessible Research Database (FAST FORWARD), involves clinic‑based enrollment of at least 200 eligible individuals with FXS per clinic and collects similar data on diagnosis timing, barriers, and lifelong needs. Component C focuses on disseminating quality public health products to strengthen healthcare provider capacity to support individuals with FXS and their families nationally.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $18,000,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 11
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Assistance Listing: 93.073 – Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities – Prevention and Surveillance
• Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DD-26-0025
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Health

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include the following types of organisations:

Government

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities

Education

• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts

Business

• Small businesses
• For‑profit organisations other than small businesses

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits (other than higher education) with 501(c)(3) status
• Nonprofits (other than higher education) without 501(c)(3) status
• Other Native American tribal organisations

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Component A: Applicants must have documented access to individual contact and eligibility data from SEED phases 1, 2, and/or 3, either as the original data collector or through a collaborative agreement with the original recipient.

Component B: Applicants must provide evidence of access to clinic‑based samples of children, adolescents, and adults (ages 0–40 years) with a confirmed FXS full mutation diagnosis and demonstrate ability to collect data on at least 200 unique individuals.

Component C: Applicants must demonstrate ability to reach individuals with FXS and their families, as well as healthcare providers, across the United States, and to generate and disseminate evidence‑based educational resources and measure impact.

Components and Activities

• Component A (SPROUT): Utilize SEED cohorts (participants aged approximately 10–25 years at award) to conduct caregiver and self‑report surveys on service needs, co‑occurring conditions, and educational, transitional, social, and vocational experiences. Data will inform ways to reduce costs, morbidity, and mortality and improve well‑being for autistic individuals and their families.
• Component B (FAST FORWARD): Recruit at least 200 eligible individuals with FXS per clinic via clinic‑based enrollment. Collect data on diagnosis timing, barriers, service needs, co‑occurring conditions, and educational, transitional, social, and vocational needs. Participate in project meetings and produce public health products.
• Component C (Dissemination): Develop and disseminate materials to strengthen healthcare provider capacity to support persons with FXS and their families nationally. Participate in project meetings and quantify impact metrics.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt is June 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. No cost sharing is required. Applicants should refer to the full announcement for detailed instructions. For access to the complete opportunity and to apply, visit Grants.gov.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: June 15, 2026 (electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm ET on this date)
• Posted Date: May 15, 2026
• Archive Date: October 1, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Seema Gupta
Email: cvk9@cdc.gov

Additional Information: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/nofo-autism-fxs/index.html