2016 International Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: portfolio analysis report

Over the past nine years in the United States (U.S.), the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published an annual national autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research portfolio analysis report. The report provides comprehensive information about autism research funding and helps monitor ASD research efforts across the country. Outside of the U.S., other countries have been supporting ASD research, but there has never been an effort to track global investment. To achieve a first assessment of global ASD research, four countries collaborated to compile and analyze funding of ASD research within their countries and assess the composition of each research portfolio. The comparison of portfolios revealed areas of emphasis, similarities, differences, and gaps across the portfolios. The analysis fostered international collaboration and identified global trends in ASD research funding in the hopes of accelerating and inspiring research that will benefit the autism community.

The purpose of this report is to present the current landscape of ASD research in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Information on ASD research funding was collected and analyzed by the OARC in the United States, Autistica in the United Kingdom, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in Canada, and Macquarie University in Australia. The report will compare levels and types of investment among countries, such as where research is being funded, what types of agencies and organizations support ASD research, and what research areas received funding. The analysis of the 2016 international research portfolio sheds light on areas for future research partnerships and areas in need of additional support in order to create a global ASD research portfolio that comprehensively addresses the needs of people on the autism spectrum worldwide.