[Canada-Wide] Apply for funding to establish the National Autism Network (Deadline: November 25, 2024)

Context

The Public Health Agency of Canada is inviting eligible organizations to apply for funding to establish and lead the National Autism Network.

As an applicant, it’s your responsibility to read through this information and request additional guidance so that you understand the eligibility criteria and other important information before submitting your application.

The National Autism Network will unite the expertise and resources of autism organizations and stakeholders, including people with lived and living experience, to address key autism priorities. The network will be established as a stand-alone, not-for-profit organization grounded in inclusivity. This ensures that people with lived and living experience are meaningfully involved in implementing the Framework for Autism in Canada and Canada’s Autism Strategy.

A network that involves Autistic people in the development and implementation of policies and programs that affect them is essential. It ensures that initiatives are relevant, practical and effective by incorporating their lived and living experiences and perspectives. Collaborating with Autistic people, their families and caregivers helps make initiatives more focused and effective. Ongoing collaboration with Autistic people will help reach our shared goal of improving the health and well-being of Autistic people in Canada. 

The agency has identified $6.5 million for the network as part of its efforts to implement the framework and the strategy. The network will receive funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada for 5 years. The network will work with the agency to develop an implementation plan for both the framework and the strategy, which will include benchmarks and indicators to measure progress in key areas. The network and agency will collaborate to ensure that implementation of the strategy and framework is practical and tailored to address the needs of Autistic people, their families and caregivers.