This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the UT5 Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet) Program. The purpose of this program is to establish and maintain a national, multi-site, collaborative research network for scientific collaboration and infrastructure building. This Research Network will provide national leadership in research to advance the evidence base in the developmental, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of pediatric care to improve clinical services and health and related outcomes for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD) across the lifespan. It will work to develop effective interventions1 in clinical services and to improve health and related outcomes for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD).
The Research Network will:
• Lead, promote, and coordinate national research activities to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents with ASD/DD, especially those from underserved2 populations who may have limited access to effective ASD/DD treatments;3
• Develop and maintain an infrastructure to support the design of a portfolio of interdisciplinary research that focuses on fostering the implementation of multi-site intervention research studies, translating research to policy and practice that meets the needs of all children (including those traditionally underserved);
• Coordinate a plan to enhance the research training and mentorship of diverse emerging investigators from traditionally underserved backgrounds through the use of innovative mentorship/research experiences and manuscript development;4 and
• Address, where applicable, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) and Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) priorities, namely, mental health and telehealth.
For cooperative agreement activities, please see Project Narrative Section III.
