Intent
The Autism Grant Program (AGP) supports eligible Applicants at autism research centers at Texas public, private or independent institutions of higher education that currently provide evidence-based behavioral services and training to improve and expand the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Eligibility
An eligible applicant is an entity including a center, institute, department, college or school, operated by a Texas public, private, or independent institution of higher education, as defined in Section 61.003 of the Texas Education Code, and as of September 1, 2025, operates an autism research center or a partnership among qualifying institutions outlined in the current Request for Application. Applications may address one or more of the following three categories, and specific amounts of funding are available for each category:
- Parent-Directed Treatment: Provision of training services to enable parents (or other home-based caregivers) to provide evidence-based treatments to their children with autism spectrum disorder.
- Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Training for Teachers/Paraprofessionals: Teachers/Paraprofessionals receive behavioral skills training in methodologies and strategies of applied behavior analysis under the guidance of a BCBA training professional.
- Innovative Autism Treatment Models: Research, development, and evaluation of treatment models.
How to Apply
Accepting Applications
To apply for the Autism Grant Program, AY 2026-2027, click on the link below and follow the instructions outlined in the Request for Applications. All submittals must be complete (inclusive of required signatures, acknowledgments, required attachments, etc.) and received by the posted due date. Incomplete and late submittals will not be considered for award.
Application Information
An eligible applicant is an entity including a center, institute, department, college, or school, operated by a Texas public, private, or independent institution of higher education that currently provide evidence-based behavioral services and trainings for ASD, or a partnership among such institutions, which conduct research on autism and provides evidence-based treatment for ASD. The entity must be actively engaged in autism research and the treatment of children with ASD as of September 1, 2025.
Applicants to the Board-certified Behavior Analyst Training for the Teachers/Paraprofessionals category, as described throughout this RFA, may contract with educational service centers to provide training.
Applications must be:
• completed in accordance with this RFA.
• submitted by an authorized agent of the applicant entity.
• submitted via the agency’s Grant Management System (GMS).
Important Dates
Jan. 12, 2026
Request for Applications Opens
Feb. 13, 2026
Application Deadline
March 2026
Grant Award Announcements
May 01, 2026
Grant Period Begins
Mar. 31, 2028
Grant Period Ends
Apr. 28, 2028
Final Project Report Due
May 12, 2028
Final Financial Grant Report Due
Rules and Regulations
This program is authorized and appropriated by the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session through the General Appropriation Act, HB 1, Article III, Rider 34. The Autism Grant Program is administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part I, Chapter 10, Subchapter A, Rules §10.1-§10.8.
Impact
The Autism Grant Program is a competitive grant, established in 2015 by the 84th Texas Legislature, Regular Session to support public and private general academic institutions that conduct research and/or provide treatment to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Since its launch, in 2016, the program has served a total of 82,438 children over seven rounds of grant awards to institutions, more than 2.78 times the minimum target of 29,673. The 89th Texas Legislature continued its support for the AGP, ensuring the program’s continuation through the next fiscal biennium.