# Autism Disparities Conference Series: Building Capacity for the Next Generation of Diverse Scholars Addressing the Translational Pipeline

> **NIH NIH R13** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2022 · $19,998

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Workforce diversity is an urgent priority for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, there are few
initiatives to diversify the autism research workforce. The problem of workforce diversity in research has far-
reaching clinical implications. A workforce that represents the community that it serves can address cultural
beliefs and practices, as well as stigma, that may impact autism diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately lead to
better quality of care. Given the relation between workforce diversity and research/clinical outcomes, the
objective of this proposal, “Building a Diverse Workforce in Autism Research: From Community Partnerships to
Policy” is to increase diversity in the autism research workforce by convening a conference focused on
career advancement for individuals who are underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce. We
propose three specific aims focused on providing networking opportunities, didactic and applied training
activities, and research experiences. The conference will be hosted in association with the International
Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting in Austin Texas in May of 2022. The proposed
conference is relevant to the scientific mission of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) because
it will provide strategic and targeted career advancement opportunities (short-term goal) that will pave the way
for the next generation of researchers underrepresented in biomedical research (long-term goal). Through
creativity and innovation, diversity in the workforce has the potential to transform the treatment of autism, by
increasing access to evidence-based treatments, fostering high-quality care, and improving clinical outcomes,
particularly for underrepresented communities. The objective of this conference is aligned with NIMH’s
strategic plan (Goal 4) to strengthen the public health impact of research by linking junior and senior
investigators on a wide range topics, from community partnerships to policy. Our proposal is innovative
because we will launch the first conference designed to support underrepresented students, post-doctoral
fellows, and junior faculty in biomedical research across the translational pipeline.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10468503
- **Project number:** 1R13MH130112-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Gazi Ferdousi Azad
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $19,998
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-06-17 → 2023-06-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10468503

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10468503, Autism Disparities Conference Series: Building Capacity for the Next Generation of Diverse Scholars Addressing the Translational Pipeline (1R13MH130112-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10468503. Licensed CC0.

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