In December 2007, Autism Speaks announced the awarding of just under $5 million in new research grants to investigate the causes, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. Most of the new grants awarded in this review cycle were training grants structured to educate and encourage new scientists to take up autism research. The Mentor Based Fellowships (MBF) are to help train young scientists for careers in autism research, while the Physician Investigator Beginning Autism Research (PIBAR) awards fund the salaries of physicians who wish to undertake autism research and thereby contribute their clinical perspective. Two other grant types, Augmentation grants and Opportunity grants, expand the scope of research projects already underway by senior scientists. In all, these 40 funded projects offer innovative and rigorous approaches to providing answers to autism that are urgently needed.

Then, in January 2008, Autism Speaks' Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Initiative announced the funding of more than $400,000 in research grants to develop innovative assistive, educational, therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for persons with autism.

2007 Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Grants
2007 Mentor Based Fellowships
2007 Physician Investigator Beginning Autism Research Awards
2007 Augmentation Grants
2007 Opportunity and Bridge Grants
2007 Special Grant Co-Funded with Dana Foundation

All grant applications were reviewed and approved by the Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Board. Final recommendations were presented to and approved by the Autism Speaks Board of Directors on December 5, 2007.